Fibromyalgia is a condition related to the immune system. It causes non-inflammatory achiness, tenderness and stiffness in soft tissue ( muscles, ligaments and bursa)
It can cause significant distress, particularly as it is condition that is mostly diagnosed by exclusion, once all the conditions that produce chronic pain have been ruled out. This can be frustrating for clients on their healing journey, many of whom tell me that they have experienced difficulty in gaining an initial diagnosis.
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, it may be due to an auto-immune condition, or occur secondary to a virus, or a Lyme’s disease-type of infection. Stress plays an important role in it.
Pain is usually located in areas that are known as ‘trigger points’. Eighteen have been noted overall and pain in eleven of these is considered characteristic of the condition. These trigger points overlap considerably with ayurvedic marma points, which are ancient energetic pressure points used by Ayurvedic practitioners to help the body heal and rebalance.
Fibromyalgia is considered in Ayurveda to be a condition of primary vata dosha imbalance. Aggravation of vata results in hypersensitivity to pain. Although some clients may also have inflammation. It is generally considered a non-inflammatory condition – so the role of pitta is secondary, if it is present.
Its nidana, or cause is a dry, light and cold diet combined with irregular habits and high stress levels.
Ayurvedic care involves stress reduction techniques, gentle massage, the application of heat and the use of nervine tonics and analgesic herbs to benefit the nervous system. Treatment should focus on all of the affected tissues and the patient should be encouraged to adopt routines to rejuvenate the body and tonify the adrenal glands. If ama is present, it should removed by a cleanse beforehand.
Strong rejuvenative therapies should be considered as the cornerstone of treatment. This includes regular abhyanga, shirodara and may also include chakra dara, anuvasana basti and gentle marma treatments. The condition appears to improve with exercise and because pain is an issue, starting slowly and building up confidence in an exercise and yoga regimen is important.
I have noticed that the people that I help with fibromyalgia really benefit from sound therapy sessions too. And many report a reduction in pain after a mixture of abhyanga and sound therapy. I encourage my clients to make diet and lifestyle changes slowly over time, so that it is manageable.
Although the treatment may significantly reduce pain, everyone is different and will have different results. The success of treatment depends on how committed the person is to their healing journey outside of the clinic too. Ayurveda isn’t a quick fix when conditions are chronic, but it is a powerful one that works on a deeper level over time.
If you would like help with managing fibromyalgia, or other conditions related to the immune system then please feel free to book in for a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist consultation. N.B If you aren’t quite ready and in the space in your life to make diet and lifestyle changes yet, then you can always book in for a full-body abhyanga and sound therapy first and decide to choose a Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist appointment later on.
Wishing you blessings on your healing journey x