Debunking Fibromyalgia as Just In Your Head: The Real Truth Print 14 LikeDislike By Ashley Nickelsen In this article, Jennifer artfully demystifies fibromyalgia as simply a mental fabrication, and draws a linkage between lifestyle and chronic pain. Fibromyalgia consists of a complex array of symptoms, which include widespread muscle and joint pain along with overwhelming fatigue. It is often a diagnosis with higher prevalence rates in women and has been described as one of the “most controversial conditions in the history of medicine.” To many medical critics, fibromyalgia is one of several “somatic syndromes” driven by sensationalized media coverage, self-interest, and litigation. For these critics, chronic pain syndromes are believed to reside in the minds of the sufferers. A variety of social and medical critics view chronic pain as a post-modern illness sharing a lineage with nineteenth-century pseudo-maladies like hysteria. These illnesses, they contend, originate in vulnerable human psyches. Central to these suspicions is the seemingly unshakable belief that chronic pain is a psychosomatic disorder, with the implication that the sufferer’s pain is not medically “real.” Psychosomatic explanations ultimately reduce chronic pain to mental factors, the consequences of which are significant. One consequence is that psychosomatic pain is inevitably devalued and the credibility of its sufferers is questioned. Another consequence is that accepted treatments for “physical” pain, like analgesics, may be discouraged even when they may be necessary. Often, being invalidated triggers depression and anxiety, which increases the burden of the disease, adds to the pain, and results in more stigmatization. A lot is at stake, then, if chronic pain is conceived as psychogenic. When it comes to fibromyalgia, there is a lot that Western Medicine continues to ignore. There is still no certain cause or recognized treatment that works for everyone. Many things, however, have become, at least anecdotally speaking, crystal clear: 1. People who suffer with symptoms can find relief by making certain lifestyle choices.2. The expression and manifestation of Fibromyalgia is diverse and what works for one person might not work for another.3. Fibromyalgia symptoms can have a significant impact on your life—your work, relationships with family members and friends, and your overall outlook.4. A combination of treatment modalities is very beneficial. Many people who suffer with fibromyalgia turn to their diets when making lifestyle choices that will offer relief and improve their overall functioning. The fibromyalgia-diet connection has in part emerged from the idea that people with fibromyalgia have mitochondria dysfunction, and therefore they need to increase levels of certain nutrients in order to produce enough energy. While research hasn’t indicated specific foods that all fibromyalgia patients should add or avoid, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that supports eliminating and adding certain nutrients to the diet for relief. For example, caffeine and highly processed foods are often linked to exacerbation of fibromyalgia symptoms. The relief that comes through this kind of mindful eating is buttressed by other healthy lifestyle choices, such as adding an exercise regimen to your day, getting enough sleep, and reaching out to a mental health professional. Since fibromyalgia is so diverse in its symptom presentation, what works for one person might not work for you. There will most likely be trials and errors as one finds relief, and a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach will likely work best. This might include dietary changes, psychological support, and perhaps medications and/or herbal supplements. Whatever your journey entails, I know and trust it is worth the hope of a healthier and happier life. You can and will come to thrive, one step at a time!Note: PLEASE consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medications. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only, and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Jessica Espinoza’s Diet for Hypothyroid Hashimotos In this story, renowned chef and food blogger Jessica Espinoza shares her journey from growing up eating real food under the influence of her mother to eating sugar and junk food in her 20s. She tells us how she got back on the wagon of health...
2019 Sugar Detox Keto Meal Plan and Shopping List According to various health and government entities, sugar can be a highly addictive food substance. Binging and overconsumption of added sugars can cause obesity and harm your long-term health. At Further Food, we are dedicated to helping you on yo...
Weight Loss Stories and Walking Workouts to Stay Healthy with Leslie Sansone Unlike fitness trends that go in an out of style, walking is an act of motion that people have done for ages. Walking is a low-impact activity that humans learn to do as babies and continue to do throughout their lives. In this two-part article, you...
Holistic Daily Routine With Collagen It seems like collagen supplements are everywhere these days, from health and wellness shops to your local pharmacy. Have you ever wondered why so many people have started adding collagen to their routines? Are you interested in doing the same? If s...
Keto Friendly Fruits and Vegetables Are you trying the keto diet but aren’t sure what keto-friendly foods you can eat? Luckily, there are quite a few keto-friendly fruits and vegetables that can be consumed regularly in the keto diet. Read on to learn our recommendations for the top...
6 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate Chocolate is a decadent treat we just love to eat. But besides tasting good, chocolate actually has some amazing health benefits that you need to know about! Read below to find out how this age-old guilty pleasure has actually been used to heal the ...