Can Ayurveda Help In Treating Fibromyalgia? – Alternative Treatment

ABSTRACT

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by muscle aches and stiffness throughout the day. It is more common in females as compared to males. The patient complains of pain in muscles, joint pain, insomnia, fatigue, headaches, depression, anxiety, brain fog, memory problems, etc. In this article, we will discuss how Ayurveda can help in managing fibromyalgia.

INTRODUCTION

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep issues, and other symptoms. Many researchers think that Fibromyalgia is due to errors in messages carried by the brain and spinal cord. The pain-affected areas are the head, neck (including the back of the neck), outside of the elbow, lower back, buttock, and inside of knees. The patient complains of Allodynia (increased sensitivity and tenderness on gentle touching or rubbing). Stiffness in muscles and bones which is more in the morning and decreases as the day goes on. The patient sometimes complains of swollen joints but they are not swollen. Usually, patients describe pain that is deep and continuous. It can be either shooting or stabbing type pain in various sites of the body. There are certain locations in the body that are tender to touch. In order to get a proper diagnosis a patient must be sensitive in at least 6 or more sites for at least 3 months.

CAUSES

1. Psychological stress / Emotional trauma
2. Physical stress
3. Viral infection: Epstein-Barr virus
4. Post-surgery
5. Serious injury

SYMPTOMS

1. Allodynia (increased sensitivity and tenderness on gentle touching or rubbing).
2. Stiffness (muscles and bones)
3. The patient feels Swollen joints but they are usually swollen.
4. Fatigue
5. Insomnia
6. Tension-type headaches
7. Migraine headaches
8. Paresthesias (Numbness and tingling sensation in arms and legs )
9. Depression
10. Anxiety
11. Brain fog
12. Temperature sensitivity
13. Reduced concentration or cognitive ability

OTHER CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH FIBROMYALGIA

1. Dry eye syndrome
2. Orthostatic hypotension
3. Osteoarthritis
4. IBD
5. GERD

DIAGNOSIS

1. No specific lab tests are done.
2. Diagnosis is mostly done by evaluating physical symptoms.

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW

According to Ayurveda, Fibromyalgia is due to the imbalanced state of Vata dosha. Due to mithya ahar and vihar (wrong diet and lifestyle), there is an imbalance of vata dosha and accumulation of ama (toxins) in the body. Aggravated vata cause an imbalance of Pitta and Kaph dosha. Ama gets accumulated in various parts of the body and blocks the channels causing avaran (covering) to various doshas. It results in muscle tenderness, joint pain, stiffness in bones and muscles, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, memory loss, etc.

TREATMENT

In Ayurveda management of Fibromyalgia is done through Panchakarma (Bio-cleansing therapy) and Vata Shamak herbs (Vata pacifying herbs).

Panchkarma

Panchakarma is the best way to cleanse ama from the body and balance vata dosha. It includes:

1. Abhyanga (Massage)

• It is done with the help of herbal oil. Oils like Ksheerabala taila, Mahamasha taila, etc.

2. Shirodhara

• It is a panchkarma procedure in which the patient is allowed to lie in the supine position and medicated liquid is poured into the forehead.

3. Swedana Karam (Sudation therapy)

• In Swedana Karam steam is passed through various parts of the body so that there is induction of sweat from the body.

4. Basti (Herbal enema)

• Basti is considered the pradhan chikitsa for Vata imbalance. Herbal decoction or herbal oils both can be used to give an enema.

Vata Shamak Herbs and formulations:

1. Herbs

Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata)

2. Herbal formulation

1.          Punarnavadi mandura
2.          Simhanada Guggul
3.          Yograja Guggul
4.          Rasna Saptak Kashaya
5.          Dashamoola Arishta
6.          Shatavari Ghritam

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR FIBROMYALGIA BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda provides wonderful herbal remedies for the management of fibromyalgia. These remedies are 100% natural and contain herbal extracts. These herbal formulations are formulated with reference to classical texts. Planet Ayurveda products are formulated by MD Doctors and herbs are used in their purest form. Planet Ayurveda offers the following herbal formulations in Fibromyalgia Care Pack given below:

1. Joint Aid Plus
2. Aamvatantak Churna
3. Stress Support
4. Boswellia Curcumin
5. Shatavari Ghrit

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Joint Aid Plus

Joint aid plus is a polyherbal formulation that contains Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Guggul (Commiphora mukul) and various other herbs. It contains Nirgundi which is pungent and bitter in taste. It is hot in potency and balances Vata and Kapha. Shallaki is used to manage joint pain and muscular pain. Guggul is hot in potency and balances all three doshas. Joint Aid Plus contains capsules that are helpful in relieving musculoskeletal pains.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water, after meals.

2. Aamvatantak Churna

Aamvatantak Chuna is an ayurvedic formulation that contains Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Methi (Fenugreek), Haridra (Turmeric) and various other herbs. Ashwagandha present in this formulation is hot in potency and balances all three doshas, especially Vata and Kapha. It is used for a wide range of conditions like body aches, anxiety, depression, weight loss etc. Aamvatantak Churna also contains Methi which balances Kapha and Vata dosha. It has anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. This herbal powder helps in reducing body pains, headaches and fatigue associated with Fibromyalgia.

Dosage: ½ to 1 teaspoon twice daily after meals with plain water or aloe vera juice.

3. Stress Support

Stress support is a herbal formulation that contains Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). Ashwagandha present in this formulation is hot in potency and balances all three doshas, especially Vata and Kapha. It is used for a wide range of conditions like body aches, anxiety, depression, weight loss etc. Stress support has a very amazing herb known as Brahmi that is exclusively used in insomnia, stress and psychological disorders.

Dosage; 1-2 capsules twice daily with plain water after meals.

4. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia curcumin is a herbal formulation that contains Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Haridra (Curcuma longa). Shallaki present in this formulation is cold in potency and balances Kapha and Pitta. It is used to manage joint pain and muscular pain. This formulation also contains curcumin which is hot in potency and balances all three doshas. It has anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Boswellia curcumin is used to manage pain-related symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with plain water after meals.

5. Shatavari Ghrit

Shatavari Ghrit is a herbal formulation that contains Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Jeevak (Microstylis muscifera), Meda (Polygonatum cirrhifolium), Munaka (Vitis vinifera) and various other herbs. Shatavari present in this Ghrit balances Kapha and Pitta. It is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It induces good sleep, calms the mind and relieves stress. This Ghrit also contains Meda and Mahameda which is helpful in providing physical strength to the body. They both are great nervine herbs. In total Shatavari, Ghrit provides strength to the body and relieves fatigue associated with Fibromyalgia.

Dosage: 3-6 grams of Ghrit, taken with Mishri.

CONCLUSION

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep issues and other symptoms. It can be associated with Orthostatic hypotension, Osteoarthritis, IBD, GERD, etc. Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia is mostly done by evaluating physical symptoms. In Ayurveda, Panchakarma (Bio-cleansing therapy) and Vata Shamak herbs (Vata pacifying herbs) are given to manage this condition.