Most health professionals define fibromyalgia as a disorder that results in pain throughout your entire body along with fatigue, memory problems, and mood swings. Symptoms of fibromyalgia are extreme tiredness even after waking up from a long sleep and chronic pain that can last for more than three months at a time. Causes of this condition include genetics, some kind of trauma, or some type of infection that can trigger it.

Treatments range from over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-seizure medications, and antidepressants. There are alternative treatments that have been found to work as well. They include the following natural options:

1. Fibromyalgia diet
Besides eating a balanced diet consisting of protein, healthy fats, and carbs from fruits and vegetables, many people with fibromyalgia have seen improvements by cutting way back on sugar and upping their levels of fiber. Some foods that will increase your energy levels are oatmeal, avocado, nuts and seeds especially almonds, beans, and greens that are dark and leafy. You may even want to consider switching to a plant-based vegetarian diet. A recent study from an alternative medicine group found that those who followed a vegetarian eating plan had some relief from their fibromyalgia symptoms.

2. Exercise to ease fibromyalgia pain
Simple exercises that are low to no impact can actually help the chronic pain of fibromyalgia. While you may feel like you are going backward when you start and you are in pain the next day, don’t stop. It will get better the more you exercise. Try a program that consists of swimming, walking, biking, or water aerobics. If your doctor is familiar with working with people suffering from fibromyalgia, have him or her help you work up an exercise plan that is best for you. Try to work up to 30 minutes three times a week.

3. Gentle massage therapy
There is actually a form of massage that is specifically geared to those with fibromyalgia. Some of them include:

• Connective tissue massage – slow steady strokes are applied with a little pressure to release the deeper connective tissue.
• Myofascial release- this type of massage aims at relaxing muscles that are contracted and stiff.
• Shiatsu – this Japanese form of massage involves pressure that is applied to certain parts of the body to relieve built-up tension.
• Lymphatic drainage – this gentle type of massage helps to increase circulation and eliminate lymph fluids from the body.

4. Avoidance foods for fibromyalgia
There are different categories of foods as well as specific avoidance foods you should stay away from if you have fibromyalgia. Categories to avoid include alcohol, unhealthy fats, processed food, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. Specific foods to only indulge in sporadically are red meat, caffeine, egg, and dairy products.

5. Natural alternatives
Natural remedies can sometimes be as effective as painkillers. You may want to try these treatments in collaboration with your doctor-prescribed fibro medications and therapies. Just be sure to check with a doctor first:

• Yoga
• Meditation
• Tai chi
• Acupuncture
• Plenty of sleep