Fibromyalgia Treatment

Lifestyle changes, medications, and alternative treatments (such as massage) can be used in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Some of the health professionals who may be involved in treating this condition include healthcare providers; physical therapists; and pain, sleep, or mental health specialists. Medications often prescribed for fibromyalgia include antidepressants, antiseizure medicines, and muscle relaxants.

What Is Fibromyalgia

Treating Fibromyalgia: An Overview

For a person diagnosed with fibromyalgia, treatment options will depend on a number of factors. Some of these factors include:

The current fibromyalgia symptoms a person is experiencing
Treatments that have been tried in the past.

Based on these factors, specific treatment options the healthcare provider may recommend can include:

Lifestyle changes
Medications (see Fibromyalgia Medications)
Complementary or alternative treatments (see Alternative Treatment for Fibromyalgia).

Remember that fibromyalgia is a real condition, but not everyone responds the same to every treatment. As a result, changes to the treatment plan may be needed at various times.

Lifestyle Changes as Part of Treatment for Fibromyalgia

There are several lifestyle changes that healthcare providers may recommend when treating fibromyalgia. Some of these include:

Exercise
Getting enough sleep
Eating well.

Exercise

Though pain and fatigue may make exercise and daily activities difficult, it's crucial to be as physically active as possible. Fibromyalgia research has repeatedly shown that regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia. Exercise can increase tender point thresholds and decrease the perception of pain in people with this condition.

People who have too much pain or fatigue to do vigorous exercise should begin with walking or other gentle exercise and build their endurance and intensity slowly.

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