FMS
Your comprehensive guide to the auto-immune condition FMS.

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is inflammation of the fibrous sheaths that surround the muscles. Let's look further at this syndrome; broken down Fibromyalgia literally means, "fibro" (connective tissue fibers), "my" (muscle), "al" (pain), "gia" (condition of). Syndrome means a group of signs and symptoms that occur together that characterize the condition. This condition can be a very debilitating one. Some of the signs are;

• Pain in three or more anatomical locations for three or more months
• Severe fatigue
• Sleep problems
• Body wide aching
• Depression
• Light sensitivity
• Loss of balance
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  

There are many more signs that are associated with FMS. For most "Fibromites" it means pain and lots of it. As a sufferer of FMS since my early teens, I have direct experience in what you are going through - but I'm happy to let you know that it is a condition which is no longer an issue for me. My experience in successfully managing this condition means that I am well equipped in helping you to manage yours.

There are many things you can do. Firstly finding out what has caused this condition for you is half the battle won. This could be a number of things that include;

• a prolonged stressful situation that has not been fully resolved.
• a nutritional deficiency.
• trigger points within muscles. Trigger points are generally small areas where a tight band that has formed within the facia of the muscle, causing extremely painful reactions when touched.
• Toxins held in your body due to FMS. This is somewhat of a catch-22 situation. FMS is made worse by toxins present throughout the body, but the condition of FMS reduces the bodies effectiveness at eliminating these toxins.
• Sleep deprivation. This is another case where you can be caught in the situation that because you are suffering from FMS, you can't get the rest that your body needs to regenerate, allowing you little chance to recover.
  

Treatments for FMS.

Identifying and resolving any stressful situation is more important than you may be comfortable exploring at first, however this is very important to your recovery and management of this condition.

Nutritional deficiencies play a big part in this condition. Magnesium, coenzyme Q10, potassium and antioxidants are some of the nutrients you could be low in. Your digestive system needs to be in excellent working order to assimilate and use nutrients effectively so that you can become well again.

Trigger points need to be addressed as soon as you can as they will also be creating problems.

There are many things that I can teach you so that you can control this condition instead of it controlling you.

About the Author
Klaire Soper is a naturopath based in Lesmurdie, Perth, Western Australia.
See www.kindredsoulsclinic.com for more information.