The Role of Nutritional and Mindbody Therapies in Fibromyalgia Treatment
Loading...
Authors
Cimoch, Sylvia
Issue Date
2013
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Naturopathy , Fibromyalgia , Nutrition
Alternative Title
Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a potentially debilitating syndrome in which there is chronic pain and aching at certain points throughout the body known as “tender points”, with other concurrent symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, and overall poor quality of life. It is one of the most common chronic pain conditions, affecting approximately 10-12 million people in the United States alone, with women being ten times more likely to be diagnosed than men. This syndrome is poorly understood and conventional therapies are only able to treat symptoms without getting to the root cause of the condition. Nutritional therapies are promising and potentially life-changing interventions for fibromyalgia suffers. Various studies demonstrate how beneficial certain dietary modifications and nutritional supplements can be in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia. Specifically, it has been found that avoidance of excitotoxins, and following a vegan or vegetarian diet are ways in which one can possibly restore health and possibly even reverse symptoms of fibromyalgia. Research also shows that supplementing with certain food-derived and nutrient supplements such as medical foods, chlorella, anthocyanidins, ascorbigen, and specific minerals could also be effective therapies. Furthermore, a great amount of mind body therapies have also been studied for their effects on fibromyalgia. Craniosacral therapy, sound therapy, and acupuncture are all subsets of mind-body therapy which have been researched in relation to decreasing pain and other symptoms often associated with fibromyalgia. Guided imagery, mindfulness and meditation, yoga, and tai chi, have also been studied as mind body therapies in fibromyalgia. Not only can these modalities decrease pain perception, they can also modify mood, sleep disturbances, and lead to increased energy and overall superior quality of life. This review on nutritional and mind body therapies used for fibromyalgia brings together a better understanding of potential interventions and their value in the treatment of individuals with this condition.
Description
This thesis is being archived as a Digitized Shelf Copy for campus access to current students and staff only. We currently cannot provide this open access without the author's permission. If you are the author of this work and desire to provide it open access or wish access removed, please contact the Wahlstrom Library to discuss permission.
Citation
S. Cimoch, "The Role of Nutritional and Mindbody Therapies in Fibromyalgia Treatment", ND dissertation, College of Naturopathic Medicine, Univ. of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT, 2013.