FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT IN OTTAWA, ON

Fibromyalgia is defined as a chronic musculoskeletal condition of unknown etiology and is characterized by widespread pain and an increased pain sensation. Symptomology of fibromyalgia falls under three criteria: aspects of physical (musculoskeletal), pain regulation (neuroendocrine), psychological wellness and mood disorders. Patients with fibromyalgia also tend to have functional and emotional imbalances such as persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, a burning or prickling sensation, cognitive disorders, and mood disturbances.

At Femade, we work very closely with the patient to understand the primary and secondary symptoms and their pain threshold to maximize benefit and increase quality of life.

Acupuncture for fibromyalgia

With acupuncture the goal is to understand which symptoms are most burdensome and treat those in the primary rounds of acupuncture. Peeling back the layers of the onion, continued acupuncture then allows us to explore and treat secondary symptoms as we begin to clear out the primary ones. As always, we focus on the origin of the problem. For example, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia have different manifestations of the same root problem so we would treat them the same. That being said, treatment is always individualized.

Massage therapy for fibromyalgia

Our Massage therapy approaches fibromyalgia from both a physical symptom and a mental health perspective. With these patients it is crucial that we work with the patient to obtain the right intensity of the massage to both activate that signaling to the brain that we are working on the connective tissue in a safe way with exacerbating the pain signals. But we also ensure that the approach is promoting relaxation and relieves stress and anxiety.

naturopathic medicine for fibromyalgia

Our Naturopathic approach requires a thorough intake of the patient’s history. The key is to look at lifestyle cues that tell us what areas we need to focus on. For instance we know that in patients with fibromyalgia there is a lot of central nervous system pain and a lot of people do not achieve restorative sleep. As such this tells us there may be hormonal imbalances, stress imbalances, sex or sleep imbalances. Indeed it is a lot of detective work. For someone with neuropathies and pain syndromes it is multifactorial.

Psychotherapy for fibromyalgia

Psychotherapy can be used to better address the triggers in your life that bring on these symptoms. Learning how to deal with stress and stressful situations, getting out of the routine, and understanding how your body works are very important lessons in coping with digestive issues. In addition to psychotherapy it is recommended that for those looking to better understand the fibromyalgia brain-body mechanism and safe movement, to explore resources through our physiotherapist. Therapy can be done in a more formal setting such as with our psychotherapist, or in a more informal setting with our Mental Health Support Worker who is completely unbiased. We also offer community based therapy to immerse yourself with similar people.

Not sure where to start?

If you’re not sure where to start, consider a health consult with our clinical director and founder. We can take it from there.