VITAMIN D MAY BE USEFUL IN THE TREATMENT OF FIBROMYLAGIA

Fibromyalgia, also known as Fibrositis is as a complex, chronic condition, which causes widespread pain and fatigue. It mainly affects the muscles, tendons and ligaments. The pain of Fibromyalgia Syndrome is usually described as aching, throbbing or burning and is unpredictable in nature. Its severity varies from day to day and different parts of the body tend to be affected at different times. Fibromyalgia affects about 2 percent of the U.S. population and is more common in women than in men. Women with Fibromyalgia are also less physically active than healthy women, which has further health implications.

An Austrian study has shown that people suffering from the chronic pain of fibromyalgia might benefit from taking Vitamin D supplements. This is especially true if they suffer from low levels of the vitamin.

In the study, researchers led by Dr. Florian Wepner, of Orthopedic Hospital Vienna Speising, investigated the possibility of a link between a patient’s vitamin D levels and the chronic pain of Fibromyalgia. Dr Wepner’s team conducted a randomized, controlled trial in 30 women with Fibromyalgia who also had low levels of vitamin D. Some of the women took supplements for 25 weeks and then were tracked for another 24 weeks. The trial found that those who took the vitamin supplements i.e Vitamin D, reported less pain and morning fatigue over time than those who did not receive the supplements. Weeks after the treatment ended, patients who had taken the vitamin supplement were still experiencing reduced pain, whilst those who had taken placebo, did not see any change in their pain level.

The researchers concluded that Vitamin D may be regarded as a relatively safe and economical treatment. Furthermore, they advocated that Vitamin D is cost-effective alternative treatment or can be used as an adjunct to the expensive pharmacological treatment model and especially so in the winter months when levels can be lower due to less sun exposure.

People suffering from Fibromyalgia should consider including Vitamin D as part of their Vitamin supplements intake in the winter months, especially in climates where there is a distinct lack of sunshine.

As there are no conventional pharmaceutical treatments available that address all symptoms of the condition, then it makes sense to consider Evidenced-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine systems as adjuncts to conventional treatments.

Vitamin supplements are not a cure, but they can help alleviate symptoms. Experienced Complementary and Alternative Medicine practitioners also understand that this is a complicated syndrome, with many co-morbidities such as restless legs, sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome, cervical cord compression, irritable bowel syndrome and myofascial pain syndrome.

Having worked with several Fibromylagia clients using complementary medicine and therapies, such as Massage therapy, Acupuncture, and Ayurveda offer relief to the client. When these are combined with conventional medicine some amazing results are seen.