[Integrative medicine, naturopathic and complementary medicine in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome : An overview against the background of clinical experiences from routine treatment]

Fibromyalgia syndrome is classified as a functional somatic syndrome. There are typical but not clearly defined symptom clusters, such as chronic widespread pain, non-restorative sleep, and a tendency to physical and/or mental exhaustion. The core principle of treatment in the S3 guidelines is a multimodal treatment, especially for severe forms of the disease. Complementary, naturopathic and integrative forms of treatment have an established place in the guidelines. Strong treatment recommendations with a high consensus exist for endurance, weight and functional training. Meditative forms of movement, such as yoga or qigong should also be used. In addition to a lack of physical activity, obesity is also accepted as an associated lifestyle factor and addressed in nutritional therapy and regulation therapy. The central aim is the activation and rediscovery of self-efficacy. Heat applications, such as warm baths/showers, saunas, infrared cabins or exercise in warm thermal water are in accordance with the guidelines. A current field of research is whole-body hyperthermia with water-filtered infrared A radiation. Other self-help strategies are dry brushing according to Kneipp or massaging with rosemary oil, mallow oil or the Aconite pain oil. Taking into account the patients preference, phytotherapeutic agents can also be used as herbal pain treatment (ash bark/trembling poplar bark/goldenrod herb), for sleep disorders in the form of sleep-inducing wraps (lavender heart compress) and internally (valerian, lavender oil capsules, lemon balm). Acupuncture treatment (either ear or body acupuncture) are accepted as part of a multimodal concept. The Clinic for Integrative Medicine and Naturopathy at the Hospital in Bamberg offers the three different formats of inpatient, day clinic and outpatient service covered by the health insurance.

Keywords: Acupuncture; Hyperthermia, induced; Phytotherapy; Qigong; Yoga.

PMID: 37217810 DOI: 10.1007/s00482-023-00716-7