Fibromyalgia
Research
Alternative
& Complementary Therapies
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Complementary
medicine & Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia
is a chronic-pain-related syndrome associated with high rates of complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM) use. Among the many CAM therapies frequently
used by fibromyalgia patients, empirical research data exist to support the use of only
three: (1) mind-body, (2) acupuncture, and (3) manipulative
therapies for treating fibromyalgia. The strongest data exist for the use of mind-body
techniques (e.g. biofeedback, hypnosis, cognitive behavioural
therapy), particularly when utilized as part of a multidisciplinary approach to treatment.
The weakest data exist for manipulative techniques (e.g. chiropractic
and massage). The data supporting the use of acupuncture for fibromyalgia
are only moderately strong. Also, for some fibromyalgia patients, acupuncture can
exacerbate symptoms, further complicating its application for this condition. Further
research is needed not only in these three areas, but also
for other treatments being frequently utilized by fibromyalgia
patients.
Baillieres Best Pract
Res Clin Rheumatol 1999 Sep;13(3):487-92, Berman BM, Swyers JP,
University of Maryland School of Medicine, James L. Kernan Hospital,
Baltimore, 21207-6697, USA.
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Nutritional
supplements help fibromyalgia (muscle pain) and chronic fatigue
syndrome
Fifty patients with a physician diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM)
and/or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were interviewed using a
structured interview form. Each patient was interviewed initially,
and again nine months later (follow-up). Patients had, on their own,
consumed nutritional supplements including freeze-dried aloe vera
gel extract; a combination of freeze-dried aloe vera gel extract and
additional plant-derived saccharides; freeze-dried fruits and
vegetables in combination with the saccharides; and a formulation of
dioscorea complex containing the saccharides and a vitamin/mineral
complex. With medical treatments, approximately 25 percent of FM
patients improve, but these beneficial effects rarely persist for
more than a few months. Everyone in this study had received some
form of medical treatment prior to taking the nutritional
supplements, but none with enduring success. Nutritional supplements
resulted in a remarkable reduction in initial symptom severity, with
continued improvement in the period between initial assessment and
the follow-up. Further research is needed to verify these results,
specifically crossover designs in well-defined populations.
The taking of these
nutritional supplements has been shown to help with the initial
symptoms and throughout treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
syndrome.
Effects of nutritional
supplements on the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
syndrome.
Integr Physiol Behav Sci 1998 Jan-Mar;33(1):61-71
Dykman KD, Tone C, Ford
C, Dykman RA
Mannatech Inc., Coppell
Texas 75019, USA.
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