Fibromyalgia
Chronic pain, fatigue, sleep/memory/mood issues. Indications for supplements: magnesium, D-ribose, CoQ10, SAM-e, 5-HTP, vitamin D, L-carnitine.
- What may help
- 32
- What to avoid
- 7
What may help (32)
- D-Ribose Supplements HighClinical
By supporting cellular energy metabolism, D-Ribose can alleviate the persistent fatigue and muscle discomfort experienced in fibromyalgia, improving overall energy and well-being.
- L-Carnitine Supplements HighClinical
L-Carnitine, especially Acetyl-L-Carnitine, has shown promise in reducing fatigue and pain associated with fibromyalgia by supporting cellular energy and nerve health.
- Naturopathy Practices HighClinical
Naturopathy offers significant symptomatic relief for fibromyalgia by addressing pain, fatigue, and mood. Magnesium, D-ribose, CoQ10, SAM-e, 5-HTP, and vitamin D show strong evidence in modulating pain perception, enhancing energy production, and improving sleep and mood, offering a high probability of reducing overall symptom burden.
- 5-HTP Supplements MediumClinical
5-HTP may help improve various symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain sensitivity, sleep disturbances, and mood, by supporting optimal serotonin function.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Practices MediumClinical
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is beneficial for individuals with fibromyalgia by helping them develop a new relationship with chronic pain, fatigue, and other distressing symptoms. By fostering acceptance of these sensations and committing to values-driven actions, ACT reduces experiential avoidance and improves functional ability, leading to moderate improvements in quality of life (Cohen's d ≈ 0.5).
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) Supplements MediumClinical
May reduce fatigue and chronic pain in fibromyalgia by improving energy metabolism in muscle and nerve cells.
- CBD Supplements MediumClinical
CBD's pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory qualities may offer symptomatic relief for widespread pain and discomfort associated with fibromyalgia.
- Coenzyme Q10 Supplements MediumClinical
CoQ10 may contribute to easing chronic pain and fatigue often linked to fibromyalgia by boosting cellular energy and offering antioxidant protection.
- Coherent Breathing Practices MediumClinical
For individuals with fibromyalgia, coherent breathing helps regulate the often-dysregulated autonomic nervous system. By promoting relaxation and reducing stress, it can lead to moderate improvements in pain perception and fatigue, enhancing overall well-being.
- Cryotherapy Chamber / Whole Body Cryotherapy Practices MediumClinical
Whole Body Cryotherapy has demonstrated effectiveness as an adjunct therapy for fibromyalgia, significantly reducing widespread pain, fatigue, and improving overall quality of life. Its analgesic and systemic anti-inflammatory actions help to alleviate the chronic pain associated with the condition.
- Eat Whole Foods Habits MediumClinical
An anti-inflammatory whole-food diet can help alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms by reducing widespread pain and fatigue. It provides essential minerals like magnesium for muscle relaxation and supports mitochondrial function for energy production, while minimizing inflammatory triggers often found in processed foods.
- Free / Intuitive Dance Practices MediumClinical
Dance and movement therapy is a beneficial adjunctive treatment for fibromyalgia, offering moderate improvements in pain, fatigue, and overall well-being. It helps reduce muscle stiffness, enhance body awareness, and provides a gentle, expressive outlet for symptom management.
- Hot Stone Massage Practices MediumClinical
Hot stone massage can offer significant relief for fibromyalgia sufferers by easing widespread muscle pain and stiffness. The gentle warmth combined with therapeutic touch helps to relax tender points and improve overall comfort, leading to better sleep and reduced fatigue.
- Infrared Sauna Practices MediumClinical
Individuals suffering from fibromyalgia often experience significant pain and fatigue relief with regular infrared sauna sessions. The gentle, deep heat helps to alleviate widespread muscular pain, reduce stiffness, and improve overall well-being, potentially by enhancing circulation and promoting relaxation without excessive strain on the body.
- Kripalu Yoga Practices MediumClinical
The gentle and adaptable nature of Kripalu Yoga allows individuals with fibromyalgia to engage in movement that supports pain reduction, improves flexibility, and reduces stiffness. By addressing stress and promoting relaxation, it can significantly alleviate common symptoms like fatigue and sleep disturbances (observed effect sizes on pain and fatigue often Cohen's d 0.5-0.7).
- Magnesium Supplements MediumClinical
Magnesium can help ease muscle pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances often experienced by individuals with fibromyalgia, providing supportive relief for chronic symptoms.
- Methionine Supplements MediumClinical
SAM-e may help reduce the widespread pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia by supporting central nervous system function and methylation processes.
- Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) Supplements MediumClinical
PEA may help manage the widespread pain and discomfort associated with fibromyalgia by modulating pain pathways and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
- Red Light Therapy Practices MediumClinical
Red Light Therapy helps reduce widespread pain and tenderness associated with fibromyalgia. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, combined with improved cellular energy production, can mitigate symptoms and improve physical function, enhancing daily comfort.
- SAM-e Supplements MediumClinical
SAM-e may help alleviate some symptoms of fibromyalgia, including muscle pain and fatigue, potentially by its effects on neurotransmitters and pain pathways.
- Thai Massage Practices MediumClinical
Thai massage can provide significant relief for individuals with fibromyalgia by addressing key symptoms such as widespread muscle pain and stiffness. The practice also helps to improve sleep patterns and alleviate fatigue, contributing to an overall reduction in discomfort and an enhanced sense of well-being.
- Trigger Point Therapy Practices MediumClinical
As an adjunctive therapy for fibromyalgia, trigger point release can significantly alleviate localized tender points and overall musculoskeletal pain. While not a cure for the systemic condition, it provides symptomatic relief by reducing peripheral pain generators and improving tissue function.
- Tryptophan Supplements MediumClinical
5-HTP, a form of Tryptophan, may help alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as chronic pain and sleep disturbances, by modulating serotonin levels involved in pain perception and sleep regulation.
- Creatine Supplements LowClinical
Creatine has been explored for its potential to improve muscle function and reduce fatigue in individuals with fibromyalgia, though more research is needed to confirm widespread benefits.
- Deep Tissue Massage Practices LowClinical
For individuals with fibromyalgia, deep tissue massage, when applied gently and progressively, can help alleviate widespread muscle pain, tenderness, and improve sleep quality. While requiring careful individualization, it contributes to reducing myofascial trigger points and promoting a more relaxed state, offering a small but meaningful therapeutic benefit (effect size d=0.3-0.5).
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage Practices LowClinical
For individuals with fibromyalgia, lymphatic drainage massage may offer some symptomatic relief by reducing pain and stiffness. The gentle technique can help in clearing interstitial fluid and inflammatory mediators, contributing to a decrease in tenderness and discomfort. While not a cure, small clinical studies suggest a modest positive impact on symptoms.
- Methylene Blue Supplements MediumPeople reports
Given its impact on energy metabolism and pain pathways, Methylene Blue is an area of interest for individuals seeking to manage symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, though more research is needed.
- Acupressure Practices MediumTheoretical
Acupressure demonstrates moderate efficacy in mitigating pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Its therapeutic action involves stimulating endorphin release and promoting relaxation, leading to a noticeable improvement in symptoms for many individuals. Studies show effect sizes around 0.5-0.7.
- CrossFit Practices MediumTheoretical
Appropriately scaled CrossFit training can gradually improve cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, and pain tolerance in individuals with fibromyalgia. It also helps reduce inflammation and enhance sleep quality, contributing to a significant reduction in symptoms and increased functional capacity.
- Integral Yoga Practices MediumTheoretical
Integral Yoga provides substantial relief for fibromyalgia symptoms by modulating pain perception, improving sleep quality, and significantly reducing stress and anxiety, while gently building physical tolerance (effect size d=0.6-0.8).
- Manual Myofascial Release Practices MediumTheoretical
This practice helps manage fibromyalgia symptoms by directly addressing widespread fascial stiffness and tender points. Manual Myofascial Release works to modulate central pain sensitization pathways, leading to improvements in generalized pain, sleep quality, and overall well-being, with systematic reviews reporting moderate pain reduction (Cohen's d approximately 0.5-0.7).
- Urolithin A Supplements MediumTheoretical
Given its strong ties to mitochondrial health and energy metabolism, Urolithin A holds theoretical promise in alleviating some symptoms of fibromyalgia, particularly fatigue and muscle discomfort, by optimizing cellular function.
What to avoid (7)
- Calisthenics Practices HighClinical
Fibromyalgia can cause severe exercise intolerance, with even light calisthenics exacerbating pain and fatigue. Start with very low intensity and gradually progress under medical guidance.
- Inactive Lifestyle Habits HighClinical
Inactivity worsens pain, stiffness, and fatigue in fibromyalgia patients by promoting deconditioning and reducing functional capacity. Gentle, consistent exercise is often a recommended part of management.
- Integral Yoga Practices HighClinical
For severe fibromyalgia, intense yoga can exacerbate pain and fatigue, leading to post-exertional malaise. Focus on gentle, restorative, or trauma-informed practices with caution.
- Dance/Movement Therapy Practices MediumClinical
Vigorous or unadapted Dance/Movement Therapy can exacerbate widespread pain and fatigue in individuals with fibromyalgia. Ensure the intensity is appropriate and modified for your condition.
- Hot Stone Massage Practices MediumClinical
In cases of fibromyalgia, especially during an acute flare, the heat and pressure of hot stone massage can exacerbate pain and increase sensitivity. Requires extreme caution and very gentle modification.
- Time-Restricted Eating 16/8 Practices MediumClinical
Time-restricted eating may act as a physiological stressor, potentially exacerbating pain sensitivity, fatigue, and other symptoms common in fibromyalgia. Monitor your symptoms closely.
- Walking Meditation Practices MediumClinical
Physical activity can exacerbate widespread pain and fatigue in some individuals with fibromyalgia, leading to a 'crash'. Start gently and monitor symptoms.