| Hydrotherapy: Fibromyalgia | |
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Hydrotherapy: Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is an old disease with a new name. “fibromyalgia” and “fibromyositis” are other terms that are used interchangeably with fibrositis. (1) It is a form of rheumatic disease, characterized by a chronic pain in the ligaments, tendons and joints. (2) Since joints are involved, often there will be stiffness. However, one should be thankful that fibromyalgia does not deform or cripple people, as does arthritis.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia? There are no definite laboratory tests or x-rays one could take to define the problem. A detailed medical history and absence of other diseases, and describing the type of pain you feel and where it is located may help to diagnose the problem.
Victims of fibromyalgia? There is no regular pattern by which it strikes. Although more women are diagnosed, children occasionally have similar problems.
General signs and symptoms A sense of fatigue before you get up in the morning. There is no definite pattern for this fatigue. It then slowly eases off. Often this is accompanied by insomnia (inability to sleep). Aches and pains accompanied by stiffness of muscles and joints. Other symptoms include: Raynaud’s Phenomenon (poor circulation to the fingers or toes), tension headaches, migraine headaches, tingling and numbness, and irritable bowel, abdominal bloating with alternating diarrhea and constipation, muscle tremors, bladder spasms, and blurred vision.” (3)
What are the treatments? There is no magic formula available in treating this problem. However, there is much that can be done to overcome the symptoms and make life as comfortable as possible. From the clinical experience at the Desert Springs Therapy Center, a wet sheet pack would be the first on the list, while the victim is in the acute stage. The patient is first wrapped in a sheet, which has been thoroughly rung from cold water, then sealed with a blanket so no air can contact the skin. The blanket is snuggly wrapped like a cocoon from the neck to and including the feet. Within 20 minutes the person, wrapped in the wet sheet and the dry blanket, may be sound asleep. (4) Some will sleep three to four hours. There is a sense of peace and restfulness that no other treatment can bring. One must experience it to believe it. In an Epsom Salts Bath, the patient sits in a tub of hot (104 F or 40 C) water up to the waist for 15 minutes, with a cold towel wrapped around the head. Such baths are also helpful in relaxing the body after strenuous exercise, and for pain relief in chronic arthritis, sciatica, and rheumatism. However, these baths may tend to deplete the body, so should not be given to patients who are weak or have heart trouble, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, or have recently had surgery. “You may use one cup to one pound of salt each bath. Epsom Salts in the water has the ability to cleanse and to draw out the waste from the skin. It could be used as a poultice on the painful joints and ligaments. Poultice is made by putting a soft cloth long enough to wrap the joint at least two times. This cloth is first saturated in hot water with plenty of Epsom salt. Then wrap the joint or local area of the painful muscle. Caution must be used on the type of patients mentioned above.” (5) Other forms of moist heat may be helpful. A systematic progressive exercise program for fibromyalgia sufferers will be very helpful. Swimming in warm water for 15 minutes; or walking a short distance as tolerated, then increase gradually twice daily or as many more times as possible. Exercises should be repeated several times a day with gradual increase. Working in the garden will be very useful providing one spends enough time to increase the depth of breathing. This will aid very much in improving sluggish circulation of blood and lymphatic drainage. There is so much hope today for people suffering with fibromyalgia. With many natural resources the body can attain good health, happiness and peace of mind.
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