Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and mood changes. Conventional medicine often struggles to find effective treatments for this condition. However, functional medicine offers a promising approach that can help people with fibromyalgia.
When you become a client of Integra Health and Wellness, you’ll be connected to a caring, professional fibro team. We will create a custom treatment plan for you, a plan that takes your unique health history, genetics, and comorbidities into consideration. Our goal is to unlock your body’s healing powers, reduce your fibromyalgia symptoms, and get you back to feeling great.
Your fibro team begins from the foundation of functional medicine.
How Does Functional Medicine Inform My Fibro Team’s Plan?
Functional medicine is a personalized approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of a person’s symptoms. Instead of simply treating the symptoms, functional medicine practitioners look for underlying imbalances in the body that may be contributing to the problem.
When it comes to fibromyalgia, there are several factors that a good fibro team will consider. These may include the following:
- Gut health: The health of the gut plays a crucial role in overall health. Dysfunction in the gut, such as leaky gut syndrome or imbalances in the gut microbiome, can contribute to inflammation and pain in the body.
- Nutrient deficiencies: Many people with fibromyalgia are deficient in key nutrients, such as vitamin D, magnesium, and B vitamins. These nutrients are essential for energy production, nerve function, and immune health.
- Chronic infections: Some people with fibromyalgia may have chronic infections that are contributing to their symptoms. These may include viral or bacterial infections, such as Lyme disease or Epstein-Barr virus.
- Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal imbalances, such as low thyroid function or imbalances in sex hormones, can contribute to symptoms of fibromyalgia.
What Are Examples of Personalized Fibromyalgia Treatment Plans?
Once these underlying imbalances have been identified, a fibro team of functional medicine practitioners will work with their patients to develop a personalized treatment plan. This may include the following:
- Diet and lifestyle changes: Functional medicine practitioners will often recommend dietary changes, such as reducing inflammatory foods such as sugar and processed foods and increasing nutrient-dense foods such as vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. They may also recommend lifestyle changes such as stress reduction techniques, regular exercise, and ample sleep at night.
- Nutritional supplements: If functional medicine practitioners identify nutrient deficiencies, they may recommend specific supplements to address those deficiencies. For example, someone with low vitamin D levels may be prescribed a high-quality vitamin D supplement.
- Herbal remedies: Certain herbs have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, and functional medicine practitioners may recommend these as part of a treatment plan.
- Prescription medications: While functional medicine focuses on natural approaches to healing, prescription medications may still be recommended in some cases. However, a functional medicine fibro team will often try to minimize the use of prescription medications and focus on addressing the root causes of the problem.
How Can I Manage Fibromyalgia Outside of My Fibro Team?
In addition to working with a functional medicine practitioner or a full fibro team, there are several things that people with fibromyalgia can do to manage their symptoms:
- Get enough sleep: Good quality sleep is essential for people with fibromyalgia. Try to establish a consistent sleep routine and create a relaxing sleep environment.
- Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help reduce pain and improve overall health. However, it’s important to start slowly and gradually increase intensity.
- Reduce stress: Stress can exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms, so it’s important to find ways to manage stress. This may include techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.
- Practice self-care: Taking time for yourself and engaging in activities that you enjoy can help improve mood and reduce stress. This may include things like reading, taking a bath, or spending time with friends and family.
- Consider alternative therapies: Some people with fibromyalgia find relief through alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage therapy, or chiropractic care. Talk to your functional medicine practitioner about these options.
Sign Up for a Discovery Call with Integra Health and Wellness
In conclusion, fibromyalgia is a challenging condition that can be difficult to manage with conventional medicine. However, our fibromyalgia care team practices functional medicine and offers a personalized approach that can help identify and address the root causes.
If your current doctor hasn’t made much progress in relieving symptoms, then it’s time to try Integra Health and Wellness. The first step is to sign up for a discovery call. On this call we will get to know you and decide if functional medicine is right for you. Afterward, we can get you set up with your fibro team and start making progress with your chronic disease.
Sign up today for a complimentary discovery call with Integra Health and Wellness!
