Fibromyalgia Treatment

Self-Care at Home

Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, home treatment can relieve some of the symptoms.

• The most important therapy for muscle pain is regular, low-impact exercise. Keeping muscles conditioned and healthy by exercising three times a week decreases the amount of discomfort. It is important to try low-stress exercises such as walking, swimming, water aerobics, and biking rather than muscle-straining exercises such as weight training. Besides helping with tenderness, regular exercises can also boost energy levels and help with sleep.
  
  
• Other home care techniques that can help include these:
  
  
  • heat applied to sore muscles,
    
    
  • stretching exercises (Pilates is one form of exercise that may be beneficial.), and
    
    
  • massage.
    
    
• Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) may help.