Are you one of the 10 million people in the US who suffer from fibromyalgia?
If so, you are probably sick and tired of pain constantly disrupting your life. While many people turn to painkillers, antiseizure drugs, and antidepressants to reduce the pain from their fibromyalgia, oftentimes, these drugs aren’t enough. Plus, a lot of these medications can cause negative side effects that make them difficult to take.
So, what should you do when medication for your fibromyalgia is not enough? There are natural remedies you can turn to that can help ease your pain.
Read on to learn about the top 4 natural remedies for fibromyalgia.
1. Essential Oils
Essential oils are all the rage these days, and for a good reason – they help relieve symptoms of a number of illnesses and ailments.
The best part is, essential oils tend to be a lot cheaper than prescription medications. And, they are 100 percent natural, meaning you don’t have to worry about dealing with any unwanted side effects.
But, there are all kinds of essential oils out there. Which ones will actually help you manage your fibromyalgia? Some of the best essential oils for treating fibromyalgia include:
- Basil oil
- Orange oil
- Ginger oil
- Peppermint oil
- Lavender oil
2. Yoga
Yoga is another excellent way to naturally relieve the symptoms of your fibromyalgia. And don’t worry, you don’t need to be able to bend your body into some crazy pretzel shape to reap the benefits of yoga.
A study by Canadian scholars found that women who took two 75-minute yoga classes per week experienced less pain from their fibromyalgia. Participants also had lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in their bloodstream.
What’s great about yoga is that you can do it no matter what your body type is or what your fitness level is. And you don’t need to spend $100 a month on yoga membership. There are countless yoga videos online that you can follow for free.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is having a real moment in Western culture. However, acupuncture has been used for thousands and thousands of years in Chinese culture to treat a number of different ailments.
If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia, acupuncture may be the solution for you. In case you don’t know, acupuncture involves inserting very fine needles into your skin (don’t worry, it’s painless) on different points of your body.
A wide variety of studies have shown that acupuncture may help to reduce pain as well as relieve stiffness.
4. Tai Chi
Another ancient Chinese practice, Tai Chi can also be used to help reduce pain from fibromyalgia. Tai Chi involves slowly and gently moving your body through a series of poses. It is sort of like yoga but with a lot less bending and twisting. Aka, it’s great for those who aren’t super flexible.
One study published by the New England Journal of Medicine found that participants who participated in a 60-minute Tai Chi class twice per week for 12 weeks experienced a reduction in pain and depression, as well as an improvement in sleep quality and overall life quality. And the benefits from taking these tai chi classes were even noticeable 6 months later.
As you can see, there are plenty of natural and simple ways to deal with your fibromyalgia pain. Which of these natural remedies are you most excited to try first? Have you already found success with one of these remedies? Please let us know in the comments below.
