9 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder characterized by widespread pain in the body, accompanied by general fatigue. There may be sleep issues, memory issues (brain fog) and depression. A person suffering from fibromyalgia tends to have pain in specific areas of the body (known as tender points) that are extremely sensitive and painful. Even the slightest pressure on the tender points can cause pain. This unexplained pain that goes on for more than three months at a stretch is diagnosed as fibromyalgia.

Homeopathy medicines offer a natural treatment for fibromyalgia and help alleviate the symptoms and treat the problem for long-term relief. Complaints of pain, weakness, sleep issues, brain fog – all can be managed wonderfully with these medicines. The traditional treatment for fibromyalgia involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), anti-seizure drugs, pain relievers and antidepressants. As evident, these methods are palliative (only treat the pain) and mask the symptoms instead of addressing the root of the problem. Long-term use of these can cause some severe side effects as well. But, on the other hand, homeopathic medicines have no side effects and are safe for use.

Symptomatic treatment

Homeopathic treatment for fibromyalgia is given according to the symptoms in every individual case. A detailed case history is taken in every case that includes symptoms on both physical and mental level. Then the case is evaluated as per the homeopathic principles. Based on that, homeopathic prescription is done. This properly prescribed medicine works on every aspect of the case and provides remarkable results.

Homeopathy Treats the root cause

Homeopathic medicines work on the core of the problem to address the underlying cause. Due to this reason, it works beyond just symptom relief. It aims for complete cure in cases of fibromyalgia. Initially, with homeopathic medicines the intensity of the symptoms reduces and with a complete course of treatment as prescribed by a homeopath, gradually the symptoms resolve completely and cure sets in.

Homeopathy is natural mode of treatment

The best part of opting homeopathic treatment for fibromyalgia is that it has zero side effects due to natural medications. It works in a very gentle, safe and harmless way to ensure natural recovery.                                                                                                                         

Top 9 Homeopathic Medicines for Fibromyalgia

Rhus Tox, Arnica, Kali Phos, Bryonia, Magnesia Phos, Arsenic Album, Coffea Cruda, Ignatia and Phosphoric Acid are the top remedies for fibromyalgia.

1. Rhus Tox – Effective Medicine For Managing Pain In Fibromyalgia

Rhus Tox is a top-listed medicine for treating fibromyalgia. It is indicated in cases where there is widespread pain in the body. The pain is present in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments and can be tearing, shooting, stitching in nature. The pain gets worse at rest and better by movement. Along with pain, there is marked stiffness in the body. Back pain is very prominent, and it gets better with movement. Rhus Tox is also indicated for numbness and a prickling sensation in the limbs.

When to use Rhus Tox?

Rhus Tox is an excellent medicine to manage pain in different body parts along with stiffness in case of fibromyalgia. A key feature is worsening of pain at rest and better from movement.

How to use Rhus Tox?

It works well in all potencies. Initially, it is best to use it in 30C potency two to three times a day. High potencies should be used under the supervision of a homeopathic expert.

2. Arnica – For Sore Pain Worse From Touch

Arnica is a natural medicine for fibromyalgia used in cases of sore, bruised pains in the body that get worse from touch. The affected part is highly sensitive to touch, and the person feels afraid to touch the painful parts. The body feels lame and sore as if beaten. Fatigue, numbness, and tingling of limbs may be present. A history of injuries is usually present in people needing this medicine.

When to use Arnica?

This medicine is highly suitable to manage sore bruised pain in body parts that gets worse from the slightest touch in cases of fibromyalgia.

How to use Arnica?

This medicine is usually used in 30C potency that can be taken once or twice daily.

3. Kali Phos – For Fatigue, Tiredness And Sleep Issues

Kali Phos is a wonderful remedy to treat marked tiredness, fatigue and sleep issues in cases of fibromyalgia. There is severe weakness and the whole system feels drained out. The affected person gets easily fatigued and has body aches. Exertion worsens the condition. Sleeplessness is another major issue that is treated well with this medicine. A prickling sensation in the hands and feet and fibromyalgia linked with stress are also indicative of this remedy.

When to use Kali Phos?

Kali Phos is an effective medicine to manage tiredness, weakness and complaint of sleeplessness in cases of fibromyalgia.

How to use Kali Phos?

Usually its biochemic form is preferred in 6X potency that can be used two to three times a day.

4. Bryonia – When Pain Gets Worse from Movement

Bryonia is a very beneficial medicine for fibromyalgia when pain gets worse from motion. Lying down and absolute rest offers relief in pain. The type of pain varies from sharp, stitching, bursting, sore to tearing in nature. Pressure causes pain on tender points. Stiffness also attends the pain.

When to use Bryonia?

Its use should be considered in cases of fibromyalgia with pains that increases from movement and get better from rest.

How to use Bryonia?

Among its various potencies, it is best to begin with 30C potency twice or thrice a day.

5. Magnesia Phos – When Warmth Relieves Pain

Magnesia Phos is a prominent medicine for fibromyalgia cases where warmth relieves pain. The pains in the body are mostly shifting in nature, changing from one place to the other frequently. The character of the pain is mostly sharp and shooting. Light touch tends to worsen the pain, and there is a pain in the neck, lower back, and lower limbs. The pains also tend to radiate from the point of origin. Restlessness and extreme weakness are present, and cold tends to worsen the pains.

When to use Magnesia Phos?

This medicine should be opted to manage pain that gets better from warm applications in cases of fibromyalgia.

How to use Magnesia Phos?

This medicine gives the best results in 6X potency and can be taken two to three times a day.

6. Arsenic Album – For Marked Tiredness, Weakness

Arsenic Album is a useful medicine for fibromyalgia with marked tiredness, weakness, and fatigue. The key indications for using this medicine include sudden weakness, excessive tiredness, exhaustion from slight exertion, burning pain in the body in areas like the back and limbs. Use of this medicine is also considered in cases of fibromyalgia when intense anxiety (particularly about health) and restlessness are present. All the complaints are seen to get worse during night.

When to use Arsenic Album?

This medicine is very helpful for cases of fibromyalgia with tiredness, weakness along with anxiety, restlessness.

How to use Arsenic Album?

This medicine can be used once a day in 30C potency.

7. Coffea Cruda – For Sleep Issues

Coffea Cruda is a medicine used to treat sleep issues in fibromyalgia. The person needing this medicine has severe insomnia (sleeplessness). It is indicated in cases of restlessness and disturbed sleep. Hypersensitivity towards pain is another common feature.

When to use Coffea Cruda?

This medicine is highly recommended to help manage sleeplessness in cases of fibromyalgia.

How to use Coffea Cruda?

It is advised to use Coffea Cruda 30C once or twice daily.

8. Ignatia – For Fibromyalgia with Depression

Ignatia is a herbal medicine for fibromyalgia and depression. A history of some emotional shock like loss of a loved one, or any major grief or disappointment may be present in people needing this medicine. Symptoms of depression like sadness, weeping, desire to be alone are well marked along with mental and physical exhaustion.

When to use Ignatia?

This medicine is of great help for cases of fibromyalgia attended with depression with marked sadness and weeping spells.

How to use Ignatia?

It proves effective in 30C power that can be taken once or twice a day.

9. Phosphoric Acid – For Fibromyalgia With Brain Fog

Phosphoric Acid is indicated for fibromyalgia where a person suffers from extreme brain fog. The person needing this remedy finds it difficult to collect thoughts, faces difficulty to concentrate on a task and comprehend things. In most cases, a history of some grief or sorrow may be present. Issues of sleeplessness and extreme weakness may also be present with the above symptoms.

When to use Phosphoric Acid?

This medicine suits well cases of fibromyalgia with marked brain fog with difficulty in concentration and intense weakness.

How to use Phosphoric Acid?

Phosphoric Acid 30C can be taken once a day.

Causes Behind Fibromyalgia

No clear mechanism explains the cause of fibromyalgia. The most common theory suggests that people who have fibromyalgia are in fact, suffering from some problem with the pain reception. Such people develop an increased sensitivity towards pain. Their body’s tendency to feel pain is higher as compared to others. In other words, we can say that they have low threshold levels to tolerate any painful condition.
The most common factors responsible for this increased sensitivity to pain are serotonin, Substance P (a peptide) and nerve growth factors. In fibromyalgia, there is a low level of serotonin which plays a vital role in inhibiting pain signals. Further, there are high levels of Substance P and nerve growth factor present, which spread the pain signals. All these factors together lead to central sensitization of the brain, causing hypersensitivity to pain and chronic pain. So, the individual suffering with fibromyalgia will experience more pain in the same injury as compared to someone who does not have fibromyalgia.
Due to central sensitization, the patient tends to develop hypersensitivity to touch or to the things which generally do not cause pain. Their brain is in a constant state of high reactivity. That is why they also experience pains, even if touched gently. Because of central sensitization, the pain tends to get worse if the individual is going through some psychological or physical stress like anxiety, depression, injury/trauma or sleeplessness. This central sensitization can develop due to multiple factors in people with fibromyalgia, like after an injury/trauma or surgery, depression, insomnia, and some genetic factors.

Triggering Factors

Family History – A person with a family history of fibromyalgia is at risk to develop it.

Gender – Women are more at risk of developing fibromyalgia. According to NIAMS (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases), between 80 to 90 % diagnosed cases of fibromyalgia are women, and the female hormone estrogen has been linked to this.

Age – Fibromyalgia is usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 50 years.

Other Diseases – People with certain diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, osteoarthritis, are at an increased risk to develop fibromyalgia.

Sleep Disorders – People with sleep disorders including sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome tend to develop fibromyalgia.

Infections – Infections caused by certain viruses tend to trigger or worsen fibromyalgia. These viruses include the Epstein-Barr virus, influenza virus, and viruses that cause hepatitis B and C. Apart from this, Lyme disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi is also linked with fibromyalgia.

Trauma – Physical or mental trauma can trigger fibromyalgia. Physical injury mainly in the cervical spine is linked with fibromyalgia. Emotional trauma like a divorce or the death of a family member/ loved one is another trigger factor noted in cases of fibromyalgia.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

1. Pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is widespread and is described as a constant deep, dull ache. However sometimes throbbing, sharp, shooting, burning pains can also be present. The pain is present in the muscles, tendons, ligaments and around the joints. Exercise tends to worsen the pain. Numbness and tingling sensations and stiffness upon lying in the same position for too long are other symptoms.

A person with fibromyalgia has tender points, which are about nine pairs of specific points in the body which when pressed cause intense pain.
As per the guidelines of American College of Rheumatology guidelines, a person is said to have fibromyalgia when at least 11 of these 18 tender points are painful when a certain amount of pressure is applied on them. The tender points are located around the back of the neck, front of the neck, hips, elbows, lower back, upper back knees, chest, and shoulders.

 2.Fatigue (tiredness) is another major complaint in people who have fibromyalgia. Even after sleeping for long hours, people with fibromyalgia feel tired and drained out. Some people describe this fatigue similar to that experienced during the flu. The person feels too tired to do simple, everyday things.

3. Most people with fibromyalgia havesleep issues. They may have difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep. Some may experience poor sleep quality in the form of light or easily disturbed sleep. Sleep disturbances arise due to a pain that wakes the person frequently at night. Sleep disturbance may also be linked with other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea that many people with fibromyalgia tend to have. Feeling lazy and weak in the morning is also very common.

4. Fibro-fog and cognitive problems are other symptoms of fibromyalgia wherein a person has difficulty paying attention, focussing and concentrating on mental tasks. Remembering information, learning new things, and following conversations also becomes difficult.

Apart from the above, other symptoms and related conditions include headaches, depression, anxiety, tingling, prickling, numbness, burning sensation in hands, feet, arms, legs, pain in lower abdomen, painful periods in women, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

It is often difficult to diagnose fibromyalgia because of the lack of a specific investigation. Further, its symptoms (mainly pain) mimic many other conditions. A diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made when the patient experiences widespread pain in the tender points of the body for a minimum of three months for no specific reason.

Clinical Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

There are no lab tests that can confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Certain tests are done to rule out other conditions that have symptoms (mainly chronic pain) similar to fibromyalgia. These include a rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP ( anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide), ESR, CBC (complete blood count), and thyroid function test.