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Natural Approaches to Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia Starts with Imbalance
There are many factors that can be involved in the chronic pain and tenderness associated with the fibromyalgia condition. These factors are not always the same for each individual. However, in general Maharishi Ayurveda views the condition resulting from two major causes:
1) disturbance in nervous system function (called "Vata" in Ayurveda) and
2) an accumulation of toxins and blockages ("ama") throughout the physiology.
As the nervous system becomes less stable and aggravating impurities accumulate the ground for fibromyalgia is created. Once these imbalances reach a critical level than often a further stressful experience or event in a persons life triggers the onset of Fibromyalgia symptoms. When the individual becomes more balanced and rested the symptoms subside but when the individual has stressful events, poor sleep, poor diet etc. the symptoms flare up again.
Following is a chart that shows 6 major areas of Ayurvedic assessment and how imbalance in each of these areas relates to the fibromyalgia condition. From this chart it is clear how the two majors causes of fibromyalgia symptoms (Vata imbalance and accumulated impurities) can be created by a wide variety of imbalances.
Areas of Function |
Ayurvedic Term |
Results of imbalance of this function that are involved in the fibromyalgia condition |
| Nervous system, Elimination, Respiration, Circulation | 1.Vata | Vata is the main imbalance in the fibromyalgia condition. Aggravated Vata destabalizes the nervous system and can create hypersensitivity leading to pain and tenderness. |
| Digestion. Metabolism | 2. Pitta | Poor digestion and metabolism can lead to the buildup of toxins and impurities that aggravate the nervous system creating pain and tenderness. |
| Overall Tissue development | 3. Kapha | Kapha imbalance creates blockage in circulation and disruption of normal nervous system function. |
| Level of toxins and blockage in the body | 4. Ama | Ama is the impurities, like free radicals, that are highly irritating to tissues including the nervous system. Ama also includes the toxic buildup that blocks channels of circulation and communication and prevent the body from cleansing and healing itself. |
| Balance of specific tissues | 5. Dhatus | "majja" is nervous system tissue and fibromyalgia is mainly a destabalized, hypersensitive state of nervous system function and majja tissue. |
| Immunity | 6. Ojas | Fibromyalgia is often associated with imbalance in ojas that creates fatigue, lack of vitality and susceptibility to infection. |
Creating General Health to Remove Specific Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Ayurveda focuses on creating overall health and balance as the main path to remove the specific symptoms of fibromyalgia or any chronic disorder. The foundation of the Ayurveda approach is to enliven the healing response, the bodies overall capacity for balance and self-repair. Ayurveda recommendations attempt to create the ideal mental, physical and behavioral environment for healing. The resulting enlivened inner intelligence of the body and strengthened self-repair mechanisms then naturally repair the imbalances at the basis of the fibromyalgia condition.
Remember for many the fibromyalgia condition is just a symptom created by imbalances in basic bodily activities. Just as if you add light the darkness disappears often fibromyalgia symptoms resolve when basic physiological balance is restored.
This is the foundation of the Ayurvedic approach to all chronic disorders. First, by restoring healthy lifestyle we stop the mistakes that create the root imbalances at the basis of the fibromyalgia condition. Secondly, by assesssing where imbalances are in the biological intelligence that controls the basic functions of the body (digestion, metabolism, elimination, circulation, nervous system and immunity), and using natural approaches to remove those imbalances, symptoms of fibromyalgia may begin to lessen and disappear.
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