The Role of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments in Fibromyalgia: a Comprehensive Review.

Author: Prabhakar A1, Kaiser JM2, Novitch MB2, Cornett EM3, Urman RD4, Kaye AD5
Affiliation:
1Department of Anesthesiology, Division of Critical Care, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
2Medical College of Wisconsin, 333 Pine Ridge Blvd Suite 2-730, Wausau, WI, 54476, USA.
3Department of Anesthesiology, LSU Health Shreveport, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA. ecorne@lsuhsc.edu.
4Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
5Department of Anesthesiology, LSU Health Sciences Center, Room 656, 1542 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
Conference/Journal: Curr Rheumatol Rep.
Date published: 2019 Mar 4
Other: Volume ID: 21 , Issue ID: 5 , Pages: 14 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1007/s11926-019-0814-0. , Word Count: 143


PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain syndrome that can have debilitating consequences for affected patients. When compared to the general population, patients with fibromyalgia experience lowered mechanical and thermal pain thresholds, altered temporal summation of painful stimuli, and higher than normal pain ratings for known noxious stimuli.

RECENT FINDINGS: There is no definitive cure for fibromyalgia and treatment primarily focuses on both symptom management and improving patient quality of life. This treatment strategy involves a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach consisting of lifestyle modifications, pharmacologic measures, and other complementary approaches including but not limited to acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, and meditation. This manuscript will discuss the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia, as well as complementary and alternative therapies that should be considered by healthcare providers.

KEYWORDS: Alternative therapy; Complementary therapy; Fibromyalgia; Fibromyalgia treatments; Pain; Symptom management

PMID: 30830504 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-019-0814-0

BACK