Can Ayurvedic Medicine Help Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients?

Most consider fibromyalgia a "sister" to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This is usually not the case, however, both fibromyalgia and CFS have similar symptoms and patients are sometimes diagnosed with both conditions. Because they have similar symptoms, certain treatments would help ease fibromyalgia and CFS symptoms.

CFS symptoms include:

• Tender lymph nodes
• Muscle pain
• Multi-joint pain without swelling or redness
• Sleep that doesn’t refresh
• Post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours
• A sore throat
• Impairment of short-term memory or concentration difficulties
• Headaches with a new level of severity

What separates fibromyalgia from CFS is the joint pain patients experience with no accompanying issues of inflammation. Fibromyalgia is also identified with 11 to 18 different tender points.

In Western Medicine, there is no cure for fibromyalgia and CFS

Today, there is no known cure for either Fibromyalgia or CFS in Western medicine. Studies suggest that genetic predisposition, viral infections, oxidative stress, hormone and neurotransmitter imbalance, immune dysfunction, as well as psychological and psychosocial factors, contribute to both conditions.

Doctors typically aim general treatment at symptom management. Doctors may prescribe analgesics, antidepressants, immune modulating drugs, anti-rheumatic agents, antibiotic therapy, sleep medication, gentle exercise and massage.

There are studies proving exercise is one of the most beneficial treatments for fibromyalgia. It seems that many people with fibromyalgia are not physically fit and they avoid exercise because it brings on increased pain. Aerobic or conditioning exercises will actually help relieve pain and depression.

Exercise increases the body’s production of endorphins or natural pain relievers. These endorphins can also boost patients' moods. The important part of these exercises is that patients should start with them slowly. Gradually increase the amount of time you exercise.

While doctors say that exercising and medication helps patients manage their symptoms, this isn't always the case. Most patients have to look into alternative options to help them with their symptoms. And, one of these options is Ayurvedic medince.

The Ayurvedic viewpoint: An alternative therapy that recognizes fibromyalgia and CFS as treatable conditions

Ayurvedic is a 5000-year-old medical system that recognizes and actually describes fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. In Ayurvedic medicine, these are not new or modern conditions, they have been around for thousands of years.

Fibromyalgia and CFS are conditions that Ayurvedic recognizes and considers treatable. Ayurveda believes CFS is Shosh Rog or a disease of depletion and fibromyalgia is in the class of diseases known as Shool and is described under the Vata Vyadi.