A vast number of different modalities are used in the treatment of FM. Some are quite traditional, while others are somewhat unusual. Many are controversial. It's impossible to predict which treatment is best for you because what works for one person may or may not work for another. Study the various options and be sure to talk with your healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment.
A few other treatment modalities you've probably heard about include:
- Physical Therapy - Carefully supervised physical therapy may be helpful for fibromyalgia, but it is essential that the therapist be very knowledgeable about the illness and care be taken to avoid doing too much at one time.
- Biofeedback - This mind-body therapy designed to teach you to use your thoughts and will to control your body. It is based on the idea that people have the innate ability to influence many of the automatic functions of their bodies and has been confirmed by scientific studies. A biofeedback specialist uses special monitoring equipment to measure responses, such as heart rate, blood pressure, muscle tension, skin temperature and brain activity. Using these measurements, he teaches you to recognize your reactions to thoughts so you can learn to control those reactions.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) - CBT is one of the more controversial fibromyalgia treatment modalities because it is basically a psychological technique and is strongly supported by those who still insist on believing that FM is primarily a psychological problem. The treatment focuses on maladaptive patterns of thinking and the underlying beliefs. For example, a person who is depressed may have the underlying belief that he is worthless. While CBT is certainly not a cure for the physical illness fibromyalgia, it can be a helpful tool for treating symptoms like depression and anxiety.
