Natural Ayurvedic Treatment For Fibromyalgia With Herbal Remedies

ABSTRACT

The human body is a complex structure that consists of many structures like muscles, soft tissues, connective tissues, bones, organs and many others. All these structures work together properly in the healthy human body. With all these structures, the human body is capable of giving useful output. Muscles and soft tissues are one of these structures which are spread throughout the whole body and help to support the organs and other locomotory functions. There are three types of muscle according to their locations like skeletal muscles, Cardiac muscles and smooth muscles. Skeletal muscles help the body in movement and support the body’s weight. Cardiac muscles help support the heart and pump blood to the body parts. Smooth muscle lines in some organs like the intestine and lungs. Here we are going to study Fibromyalgia which involves muscles and soft tissues of the body. The condition of Fibromyalgia causes musculoskeletal pain. It is a chronic condition in which there is pain and fatigue in the whole body. Now, let’s start a detailed study of Fibromyalgia.

INTRODUCTION

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which causes pain and fatigue in the whole body. In this condition, there is pain in the muscles and joints of the whole body. In this disorder, there is tenderness and pain in the muscles and soft tissues of the body. According to some research, in this condition, there is an amplification of painful sensation that affects the brain and spinal cord to process these signals. Females are more prone to this condition as compared to males. This condition can affect people of any age, whether children, middle age or old age. But usually, it starts in middle age and is aggravated with increasing age. There are many symptoms involved in this condition. This condition can be considered a neurosensory disorder as it involves the brain and spinal cord that are unable to process the pain signals. Now, let’s start a detailed study of causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, Ayurvedic overview and ayurvedic treatment with herbal remedies along with diet. Also, a detailed study of the Fibromyalgia care pack by Planet Ayurveda. Let’s start!

CAUSES OF FIBROMYALGIA

The exact cause of Fibromyalgia is still unknown. There is no evidence of any factor that causes Fibromyalgia. However, there are several factors that can trigger the condition of Fibromyalgia. The factors that triggered the condition of Fibromyalgia are as follows

• Any injury
• Stress or any trauma
• Exposure to any infection
• Any genetic mutation
• Hormonal changes
• Weather changes
• Any medication
• Changes in daily routine
• Malnutrition

According to Ayurveda texts, the causes/etiology of Fibromyalgia are as follows

रक्षशीताल्पलघ्वन्नव्यवायातिप्रजागरेः | विषमादुपचाराच्च दोषासृकस्रवणादति ||
लङ्घ्नप्लव्नात्यध्वव्यायामातिविचेष्टितेः | धात्तुनाम् सक्ष्याच्चिन्तशोकरोगातिकर्षणात् ||
दुखश्य्यासनात क्रोधादिवास्वप्नाद्भयादपि | वेगासंधारदणादामादभिघातादभोजनात ||
मर्माघातादजोष्ट्राश्वशीघ्रयानापन्तसनात् | देहेस्त्रोतासि रिक्तानि पूरियत्त्वअनिलो बली ||

(चरक संहिता चिकित्सास्थान 28/ 15-18)

• Intake of Dry, cold, less and light food
• Excessive coitus, not sleeping in the night
• Complications of Panchkarma
• Excessive blood loss
• Excessive habits of fasting, swimming walking, exercise
• Emaciation due to Stress and trauma
• Sleeping on the uncomfortable bed
• Excess of anger, day sleeping and fear
• Holds the urge for urine or defecation
• Any injury, indigestion
• Not eating food
• Falling injuries

SIGNS OF FIBROMYALGIA

Intense body aching is the primary sign of Fibromyalgia which can occur anywhere in the body. Most often, pain occurs in the neck and back region. The intensity of pain is very high due to which the patient is unable to sleep properly.

SYMPTOMS OF FIBROMYALGIA

There are several symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Most commonly these symptoms may be as follows

• Chronic pain in the body. This pain may affect multiple areas of the body. The most common sites of the pain are the neck, back, arms, legs and chest.
• Excessive fatigue in the body
• Interrupted sleep due to pain
• Stiffness and pain in Muscle and joints
• Numbness in the arms and legs
• Low pain threshold

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia according to Ayurveda texts are as follows

गुर्वङ्ग तुद्यतेअत्यर्थम् दण्डमुष्टिहतम् तथा |
सरुक् श्रमितमत्यर्थम् माँसमेदोगतेअनिले ||

(चरक संहिता चिकित्सास्थान 28/32)

• Heaviness in the body
• Pricking pain in the whole body
• Excessive fatigue
• The intensity of pain is very high so that the patient feels beaten by canning

DIAGNOSIS OF FIBROMYALGIA

Diagnosis for Fibromyalgia consists of taking a proper history of patients whether it is physical or medical history. However, there is no specific test for Fibromyalgia, The following are some of the diagnostic criteria to detect Fibromyalgia

• Widespread pain index (WPI) which must be greater or equal to 7
• Symptom Severity Scale (SS) which must be greater or equal to 5 to meet the criteria of Fibromyalgia
• Blood tests which include CRP measures as high level or CRP are common in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). This test is useful to differentiate between Fibromyalgia and RA

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW OF FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder which affects the normal functioning of the body. In this condition, musculoskeletal pain is the main symptom of the patient. It occurs mainly in females as compared to males. Patients with Fibromyalgia suffer from fatigue, pain in the whole body and sleep disturbance due to excessive pain. There are no specific causes for this condition but several trigger factors are responsible for the flare-up of this condition. In Ayurveda, the condition of Fibromyalgia is interpreted with Vata Vyadhi and most probably with Mamsagatavata. Mamsagatavata is a Vata dominant disorder. Vata Dosha’s vitiation is responsible for another dosha’s vitiation as Pitta and Kapha depend on Vata. In Vatavyadhi Vata is the main dosha which is vitiated and Kapha and Pitta depend on Vata so they are also vitiated. As fibromyalgia is correlated to Mamsagatavata which affects mainly Mamsa (muscle tissue). However, Vata may also be covered by other Factors like Pitta, Kapha, Mamsa Meda, Asthi, Majja, Shukra, Anna, Mutra and Pusrisha which is known by the word Avarana. Avarana can be defined as an obstruction in the path of Vata dosha that traps Vata within the passage. Let’s start a detailed study of Fibromyalgia according to Ayurvedic prospect.

DIET FOR FIBROMYALGIA

• Fruits like apples, bananas, oranges, pineapples, pomegranates, berries, peaches, coconuts, watermelon and muskmelon
• Vegetables like spinach, carrot, fenugreek leaves, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, pumpkin and ginger
• All pulses except black gram
• Cumin, coriander, turmeric, fennel and cinnamon
• Juices like sugarcane juice, greens juices and aloe vera juice
• Avoid refined flour items
• Choose whole grains like barley, oats, wheat, brown rice
• Dry fruits like soaked almonds and walnuts
• Flaxseeds and chia seeds

HOME REMEDIES FOR FIBROMYALGIA

• Patients with Fibromyalgia may have low vitamin D so sunshine is the best source of vitamin D
• Proper sleep can help in decreasing fatigue
• Avoid any kind of stress
• The use of pepper can help in relieving pain
• Milk with turmeric
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale) tea

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT AND PANCHKARMA FOR FIBROMYALGIA

अभ्यङ्गम् स्वेदनम् बस्तिर्नस्यम् स्नेहविरेचनम् |
स्निग्धाम्लालवणं स्वादु वृष्यम् वातामयापहं ||

(योगरत्नाकर 25/105)

According to the above text, the common line of treatment for Vata Vyadhi is as follows

• Abhyanga: Massage with medicated oil
• Swedana: Inducing sweat
• Basti: Therapeutic enema with medicated herbal formulations
• Nasya: Cleaning of upper respiratory passage and draining out excessive mucus by medicated powders, oils etc.
• Anuvasana Basti with medicated oils or kwatha
• Virechana: Therapeutic purgation
• Use drugs with Unctuous, sour, salty and sweet taste

The line of treatment for Mamsagatavata is as follows

विरेको माँसमेदःस्थे निरुहाः शमनानि च |

                                                       (चरक संहिता चिकित्सास्थान 28/93)

According to the above text, when Vata Dosha is located in muscle tissue the Virechana (therapeutic purgation), Niruha Basti (therapeutic enema) and other treatments are used in VataVyadhi Treatment. Except from these treatments, some of the common Ayurvedic formulations that can be given in the management of Fibromyalgia or Mamsagatavata are Maharasnadi kwatha (decoction), Erandadi Kwatha, Rasnadi Churna, Yograj Guggul, Narayana Taila, Prasarani Taila and many more.

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR FIBROMYALGIA BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda promotes Ayurveda by manufacturing natural and herbal formulations that are mentioned in Ancient Ayurveda texts. All these formulations are formed after many clinical trials and tests. Planet Ayurveda forms a wide range of formulations that may be present in the form of tablets, powders, oils, capsules, decoctions etc. In every formulation of Planet Ayurveda natural and efficient forms of herbs are used which increases the potency of the drug. Here in this text, we are going to study this type of herbal formulation which is very efficient for the treatment of Fibromyalgia. The Fibromyalgia care pack by Planet Ayurveda is one of the best formulation packs which helps in the management of Fibromyalgia. This pack consists of several formulations like Joint Aid Plus capsules, Aamvatantak Churna, Stress Support Capsules, Boswellia Curcumin and Shatavari Ghrit. Let’s start!

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. JOINT AID PLUS CAPSULES

This is a polyherbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda which contains ingredients like Nirgundi (Vitex negundo), Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Shallaki (Boswellia serrata), Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and many more. It helps in providing strength to bones and joints. It also works as an anti-inflammatory property and supports the immune system. It contains Analgesic property due to which helps in controlling pain in the condition of Fibromyalgia.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with warm water

2. AAMVATANTAK CHURNA

This herbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda contains many ingredients like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Sonth (Zingiber officinale) and many more. This churna is very helpful in decreasing pain in muscles and joints. It helps in detoxification of the body and contains anti-inflammatory properties. This churna is very helpful in maintaining the condition of Aama formation by removing toxins from the body.

Dosage: 1 teaspoonful twice daily with warm water

3. STRESS SUPPORT CAPSULES

This polyherbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda consists of ingredients like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii) and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri). As we discussed earlier, stress is one of the trigger factors of fibromyalgia which helps in flaring up the conditions of this disorder. So these Stress Support capsules are one of the best choices for these types of patients. These capsules help in managing the conditions of stress and anxiety. It helps in conditions of insomnia which is a common symptom of such patients.

Dosage: 1 capsule twice daily with warm water

4. BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN CAPSULES

These capsules are formed from ingredients like Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). These capsules contain anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful in relieving pain in joints. It helps in reducing stiffness in the joints and swelling in the joints. It increases the mobility of the joints.

Dosage: 2 capsules twice daily with warm water

5. Shatavari Ghrit

Shatavari Ghrit contains ingredients like Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Jeevak (Microstylis muscifera), Meda (Polygonatum cirrhifolium), Munaka (Vitis vinifera) and many more. This formulation is very useful in managing muscle fatigue. It also helps in balancing the hormonal changes in the body which is one of the trigger factors of this condition. This formulation has the best results on generalised weakness management.

Dosage: ½  teaspoon twice daily with warm water.

CONCLUSION

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition with symptoms of high pain sensitivity, interference with sleep, stiffness in the joints, fatigue and many more. There are many theories about its etiology, but no one defines the proper cause of this disease. This condition can be improved when proper care and treatment is given to the patients. Proper treatment can help to reduce pain and improve the function of the body. The common line of treatment for this condition can involve relieving the symptoms of the patients and preventing the conditions that can flare up the Fibromyalgia. Proper care and treatment can help the patient to improve their quality of life. Ayurvedic herbal formulation by Planet Ayurveda is also very useful to improve the conduction of the patient and hence improve the quality of life.