| Fibromyalgia is a recently recognized disorder that is | | | | following: |
| regarded asa chronic condition associated with the | | | | Eating hot, spicy and fried foods, sweets, foodslike |
| experience of non-inflammatorypain and tenderness in | | | | brinjal, cabbage, Cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, okra and |
| muscles, ligaments , joints and fatigue. | | | | potatoes. |
| Fibromyalgia is a relatively common condition, | | | | Too much tea, coffee, alcohol, white sugar, yogurt, |
| estimated to affectabout four percent of the general | | | | chocolate, cocoa. |
| population. | | | | Sleeping during the day and staying up late at night |
| It is very similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); | | | | Mental tensions like worry, anxiety, fear, stress and |
| Only point ofdifference is presence of musculoskeletal | | | | grief. |
| pain in fibromyalgia andthat of fatigue in CFS. Low | | | | Yoga for Stress Management and Improved Mental |
| level of Serotonin is considered to bemost important | | | | and Emotional Function: |
| biochemical criteria. The primary treatment goalsshould | | | | It is well documented that fibromyalgia is often |
| include raise serotonin levels, improve sleep quality, | | | | worsened by heightenedstress, anxiety and mental |
| andassure adequate magnesium levels. | | | | fatigue. There are hormonal changes and |
| Symptoms : | | | | otherbiochemical responses to stress that can |
| Generalized aches or stiffness at many sites for more | | | | aggravate the nervous system,and the immune |
| than three months. | | | | response. The sleep disturbance that is often created |
| Generalized fatigue | | | | byfibromyalgia symptoms increases fatigue which in |
| Chronic headache including migraines | | | | turn increases one'ssusceptibility to stress which in turn |
| Sleep disorder, particularly timings of cycles | | | | aggravates the fibromyalgia condition. |
| Neuronal and psychological complaints | | | | Meditation,Yoga, Pranayama and studying of spiritual |
| Swelling | | | | philosophy are allrecommended for supporting personal |
| Numbness/ tingling sensations | | | | healing and relaxation of the mind. |
| Ayurvedic View : | | | | Efforts should be made to increase the Sattvic quality |
| It can be described as 'Mansa Dhatugat and | | | | of mind. |
| Mansavrut Vata' | | | | Yogasana : Various stretching exercises are known to |
| Fibromyalgia is perceived as a Vata imbalance. Vata is | | | | have a positive effect onfibromyalgia. Regular |
| the main imbalanceand Aggravated Vata destabilizes | | | | practicing of sets of different postures are helpful |
| the nervous system and can createhypersensitivity | | | | increating a healthy flexibility throughout the body. |
| leading to pain and tenderness. | | | | Yogic breathing practiceswill also create a state of |
| Accumulation of Ama (toxins) and shrotorodha are | | | | restful alertness in mind and body. |
| also contributory factors. | | | | Progressive deep relaxation, i.e., shavasana (Corpse |
| Ayurvedic Approach of Fibromyalgia and CFS | | | | posture) brings about arelaxed state of mind which |
| Treatment | | | | prepares the individual for meditation. |
| The aggravation of Vata dosha and accumulation of | | | | Lifestyle and Daily Routine |
| Ama (toxins) arethe primary causes and should be | | | | One of the most important factors for balancing Vata |
| treated mainly. Associated weak digestion,constipation, | | | | and maintaining stabilityin the nervous system is to |
| and effects of chronic stress should also be tackled. | | | | have a lifestyle that does not disturb natural |
| Panchakarma Therapy | | | | bodilyrhythms. When we eat, sleep and exercise in |
| Pre-purification Measures namely 'snehan' and 'swedan | | | | constantly fluctuating anddisturbing patterns, the body |
| are very useful tobalance 'Vata' and to loosen the | | | | loses its natural balancing cycles. Thereforeregularity in |
| toxins. Snehan is the Herbalized Oil | | | | our daily routine can be extremely effective in reducing |
| Massage. This oil is applied to the entire body with a | | | | Vata imbalances. |
| particular type ofmassage. Swedan is sudation or | | | | Ayurvedic Herbs: |
| sweating and is given immediately followingthe snehan. | | | | - Decoction of the roots of ten herbs |
| An herbal concoction may be added to the steam to | | | | (Dashamularishtam) should be given inthe dose of 30 |
| furtherenhancement of effect. | | | | ml., twice daily. |
| Daily herbalized oil massage also provides a deeply | | | | - Daily use of the Ayurvedic compound 'Triphala |
| soothing and balancingeffect to the entire nervous | | | | choorna' is recommendedto cleanse the colon. |
| system. The motion of massage creates heatand | | | | - Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm |
| friction which enhances circulation and helps cleanse | | | | water helps to reduce painand inflammation in |
| the areas ofchemical impurities that could be | | | | Fibromyalgia. Dosage: twice a day |
| aggravating and hypersensitizing nerve tissues. | | | | - Garlic is useful for detoxification and to enhance |
| Diet and Nutrition | | | | immune system function. |
| Following is the diet suggested for the patients | | | | - Guggul is a very helpful herb for relief of pain. |
| suffering form Fibromyalgia and CFS | | | | - Licorice root supports the glandular system and acts |
| Vegetable juices and soups | | | | in the body like cortisone,but without the harmful |
| Coconut water and Coconut milk | | | | side-effects. Caution: If overused, licorice can |
| Juice of carrot, Cucumber, Beetroot | | | | elevateblood pressure. Do not use this herb on a daily |
| Cooked vegetables like squash, zucchini and pumpkin | | | | basis for more than sevendays in a row. Avoid it if |
| Spices like cumin, coriander, ginger asafetida, garlic, | | | | you have high blood pressure |
| fennel and turmeric. | | | | - Ginger Tea. Ginger is a good alternative to aspirin to |
| Green salad with a dressing of lemon juice and a little | | | | relieve minor aches andpains. Steep 1 teaspoon of the |
| salt | | | | grated root in 8 ounces of hot water for 10 minutes. |
| Khichadi (recipe made by cooking rice and mung dal, 1:1 | | | | Strain. Add honey for taste, if you like. Alternatively, |
| or | | | | take 1 to 2 Grams ofpowdered ginger a day with |
| 1:2 proportion) | | | | food. |
| The patient of Fibromyalgia and CFS should avoid the | | | | |