Root Cause and Naturopathic Treatment of Fibromyalgia and CFS
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that presents with widespread, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and oftentimes emotional distress due to the physical symptoms. This diagnosis is often seen in combination with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS. With Fibromyalgia, the pain is more dominant, whereas with CFS, the fatigue is the primary symptom. Modern medicine describes Fibromyalgia and CFS as incurable. Naturopathic Medicine looks at Fibromyalgia and CFS as conditions with various causes, that often accumulate over years and decades, conditions that have multiple cures. What may work for one person, may not work for another due to differences in individual biochemical patterns. Below are some of the most common causes and treatments for Fibromyalgia and CFS.
Run a complete thyroid panel
There is a significantly higher incidence of thyroid disorders in individuals with fibromyalgia. Many with the diagnosis of fibromyalgia find an improvement in symptoms after optimizing thyroid health. It important to run a full thyroid panel, beyond just TSH, with your Naturopathic Doctor to be able to understand the complete picture of thyroid health.
Test your hormone pathways
Often times fibromyalgia is the result of hormone imbalance. Important hormones to assess from a functional perspective, not just lab ranges, include thyroid markers, testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA-S as deficiencies or imbalances of these key hormones can easily lead to fibromyalgia symptoms. Hormonal imbalances can easily be treated with integrative medicine therapies.
Correct any Nutritional Deficiencies
Functional Medicine Testing can help identify underlying nutrient deficiencies such as Vitamin D deficiency, low iron, and B12 deficiency, all of which can exacerbate fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. A full micronutrient assessment can identify less common nutrient deficiencies that may also be increasing fatigue, and fibromyalgia pain and discomfort.
Assess your Diet for Triggers
Diet is very individualized, but some recommendations that can be helpful for anyone struggling with fibromyalgia is to avoid foods that contain MSG or glutamate. Both MSG and glutamate are excitatory to the nervous system and over activate pain signaling pathways, making the sensation of pain more profound.
IV Therapy
Targeted IV Therapy for Fibromyalgia can be extremely helpful at managing fibromyalgia symptoms. A customized nutritional IV based on laboratory assessment is ideal, but even a basic Myer’s cocktail has shown to benefit individuals with fibromyalgia. Best results typically come after a series of regular treatments, and many patients will come in for IV therapy as needed during flares.
Low Dose Naltrexone
Low Dose Naltrexone is an option for severe cases for individuals that may also be presenting with autoimmunity and is never recommend as first line therapy. Low Dose Naltrexone, or LDN, is a very low dose pharmaceutical intervention that can offer a lot of benefit to individuals with fibromyalgia symptoms, CFS, insomnia, inflammation and general muscle pain.
Dr. Allison Serrano is a Naturopathic Doctor that treats fibromyalgia through integrative medicine therapies including acupuncture, IV therapy, and functional medicine testing. Dr. Serrano will work you to identify your root cause and also provide support for symptom management during the healing process.
