How New Fibromyalgia Treatment Options Can Improve Quality of Life

Fibromyalgia is a very real condition, though it’s not uncommon for people who have it to experience misdiagnosis, feel misunderstood by their care providers, or receive ineffective treatment. This experience can be incredibly frustrating for those seeking relief from their symptoms. 

Fortunately, new research offers access to revolutionary treatments that can better address fibromyalgia symptoms. Despite what some doctors believe, studies confirm that the experience of fibromyalgia patients is not “just in their heads.”

Now, new fibromyalgia treatment options can take a more targeted, holistic path.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a persistent, chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and impacts on cognitive function. There’s no singular cause of this condition. However, research indicates it is often “triggered or aggravated by multiple physical and/or emotional stressors,” including: 

• Viral infection
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• History of severe emotional stress
• Ongoing severe emotional stress
• Traumatic events

Despite its prevalence, finding a physician who truly understands the condition and can take proper measures to help you find relief can be exasperating and exhausting.  

Traditional Treatments for Fibromyalgia 

When managing fibromyalgia symptoms, the following treatment options are typically the first course of action to help people take control of their well-being. The treatments outlined are proactive and reactive measures that may provide some relief for fibromyalgia symptoms. 

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle modifications may improve some fibromyalgia symptoms. These modifications can reduce the impact of symptoms like fatigue, low energy, poor sleep quality, and mood. Lifestyle changes often include establishing and practicing good sleep routines and eating a well-balanced diet.

Physical Therapy

Individuals living with fibromyalgia may experience chronic discomfort and ongoing, widespread pain. These symptoms can contribute to stiffness, soreness, and tension, among other bodily issues. Physical therapy can help reduce pain, using customized exercise programs to improve flexibility, strength, and endurance. Exercise can increase mobility and enhance general feelings of well-being. 

 Medications

Physicians sometimes prescribe medications to treat pain, improve sleep quality, or help regulate the psychological symptoms involved in the condition. Several medications, both over-the-counter and prescriptions, can play a role in managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Among those commonly used are:

• Pain relievers
• Antidepressants 
• Anticonvulsants

Therapy or Counseling

Fibromyalgia brings new challenges that can be difficult to process. Professional emotional support can enhance your emotional well-being and help you cultivate a positive outlook on life, even in the face of chronic symptoms. Working with a compassionate therapist or counselor can go a long way toward developing helpful coping strategies and stress management skills. 

New Fibromyalgia Treatments

Traditional treatments can do a lot to relieve day-to-day fibromyalgia symptoms. However, more advanced, comprehensive solutions go beyond addressing the surface-level effects of the condition. 

New fibromyalgia treatment solutions go deeper to provide long-lasting relief and empowerment to those dealing with symptoms. These therapies look at the underlying mechanisms associated with how the condition manifests. 

Stress Management Activities

Recent research has shown that the condition has a psychiatric element and that exposure to psychosocial stressors may “contribute to dysfunctional pain processing.” Because abnormal pain perception can be exacerbated by stress, the following Stress management strategies like the following can be powerful ways to address fibromyalgia symptoms:

• Meditation
• Deep breathing
• Enjoyable hobbies
• Massage 
• Yoga and tai chi

It’s critical to note that people can have a range of experiences with stress. In one study, 75% of participants engaging in a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practice reported “experiencing a reduction in symptom severity.” In other studies, there’s “no evidence that mindfulness had an effect on other variables, such as positive mood, attention, sleep.” 

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Another new treatment for fibromyalgia has promising results, as published in peer-reviewed studies. These trials indicate that a unique, evidence-based hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) protocol (involving breathing fluctuating levels of pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber) can increase oxygen levels in the body’s tissues and trigger the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms. 

The HBOT process helps promote tissue healing, reduce inflammation, and enhance brain and body performance. This treatment provides the following support:

• Less fatigue
• Reduced brain fob
• Decreased pain
• Boosted energy level
• Improved cognitive function
• Increased brain connectivity
• Improved sleep quality

Remarkably, participants in the clinical fibromyalgia trial saw significant symptom improvement, with results remaining consistent even two years after the study’s end. According to Dr. Efrati, coauthor of the study:

“We saw the wound in the brain, and we treated it. It’s amazing what happened to them, just amazing. The way they see the world is totally different. The way they communicate with their children, their families. They’re successful at work. They don’t take medication anymore. It’s a game-changer.”

HBOT treatment is non-invasive, targeting the regions of the brain and body responsible for pain sensation and tolerance to enhance feelings of well-being. 

The HBOT protocol used in the aforementioned studies is the same protocol employed in the state-of-the-art hyperbaric suites at Aviv Clinics. For Patty, this solution was life-changing.

“By halfway through, I didn’t have the pain or the aches anymore…I didn’t feel like I had the fatigue. I had so much energy. I have a clear brain now… I just feel like I have a whole new brain.” — Patty, Aviv Clinics Fibromyalgia patient

Watch Patti’s Story: Healing from Fibromyalgia

Future Outlook and Potential Impact on Fibromyalgia Patients

As new fibromyalgia treatment options continue to offer a greater understanding of the condition and better results, the outlook is increasingly promising. If you’re dealing with the effects of fibromyalgia, there is hope for a reduction in symptoms.

Since fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from person to person, a targeted, personalized program that addresses the underlying mechanisms of the condition is key to more comprehensive, effective management. At Aviv Clinics Dubai, each prospective client receives a personalized treatment program, based on the clients’ individual needs and health concerns, and the results of a comprehensive physical, medical, and cognitive assessment.

The Aviv Medical Program is a holistic treatment plan that can include the following:

• Cognitive training
• Dietary coaching
• Physical performance training
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)

There is renewed hope as we make new strides toward understanding fibromyalgia.

Advancements in medical science have paved the way for new fibromyalgia treatment options designed to alleviate symptoms and empower individuals to reclaim their quality of life. Taking a multi-dimensional approach, the team at Aviv Clinics Dubai  improves outcomes for people with fibromyalgia. 

We strive to make a significant difference in fibromyalgia symptoms so those living with the condition can experience relief and take charge of their quality of life. 

You don’t have to suffer alone, feeling misunderstood and misdiagnosed.
We can help you achieve real relief.