Managing Fibromyalgia Pain: Know Your Options

While we may not know what causes fibromyalgia, we have many treatment options we can use to help with the potentially debilitating pain and fatigue symptoms of this chronic condition. At Pinnacle Health Chiropractic, Jason Ablett, DC, supports patients by finding the right balance of treatments for their fibromyalgia pain.

Medical options

Over-the-counter pain medication may be helpful for pain management. If you need stronger pain medication, prescription options are also available.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved three medications specifically for treating fibromyalgia pain:

• Pregabalin (Lyrica®), which reduces pain by soothing your nerves
• Duloxetine (Cymbalta®), which dampens chemical pain signals in your brain
• Milnacipran (Savella®), another medication that acts on the neurotransmitters in your brain to reduce pain perception

Some patients also find that antidepressant medication alleviates the symptoms of their fibromyalgia, including pain and stress relief.

Lifestyle changes

Making changes in your day-to-day life can help to reduce your fibromyalgia pain. For some patients, eating an anti-inflammatory diet proves helpful. And even if you feel achy or tired, it's important to get some exercise. A few stretches or low-weight reps can make a big difference in your physical well-being, preventing muscle wasting and associated pain and stiffness.

Pain affects you emotionally as well as physically. Mental health treatments like counseling or therapy can improve your life if you’re dealing with the stress of chronic fibromyalgia. Gentle physical mindfulness disciplines like tai chi and yoga have also been shown to be helpful for fibromyalgia patients.

Natural therapies

At Pinnacle Health Chiropractic, we offer several natural therapies for treating fibromyalgia pain. Dr. Ablett uses musculoskeletal care management techniques to soothe your soft tissue and relieve pain. With specialized fascia treatments or Graston treatments, Dr. Ablett can release the tension from painful knots and tender areas.

Other natural therapies that may be helpful if you’re suffering from fibromyalgia pain include:

• Manual chiropractic adjustments to release musculoskeletal tension
• Massage therapy to relax muscles, reduce stress, and improve your range of motion
• Rehabilitative Exercise to strengthen your muscles and increase your range of motion

While your fibromyalgia may be a lifelong condition, you don't have to live the rest of your life in pain. With the right combination of treatments and therapies, you can successfully manage fibromyalgia pain. Dr. Ablett works with you to develop unique, personalized treatment plans, balancing medication and pain relief therapies, and strengthening treatments for real results. 

To schedule an initial consultation at our Kirkland, Washington, office, call today or book your appointment online.