Fibromyalgia and chronic pain are now thought to be a separate condition or disease and should be treated as such. Inflammation plays an important part in both conditions and it is more complex due to the brain processing pain signals. With long exposure to physical pain, nerves may actually hard-wire that pain into a neurological memory (denervation hypersensitivity, and loss of brain grey matter). This means even when the original cause of pain is gone, you may still have pain.
Here are some simple ways to reduce and control pain without medication.
* Since nearly all fibromyalgia and chronic pain symptoms are caused by underlying inflammation, try adding Omega-3 fish oil to your diet. Omega-3 is a natural anti-inflammatory and will reduce the underlying inflammation if you take at least 3000mg of the EPA portion.
* Many of the symptoms related to fibromyalgia and chronic pain may be caused by sensitivity to gluten. Try cutting out wheat, rye, barley and malt products from your diet, including pasta and bread, and see what happens. Watch for hidden gluten in things such as soy sauce and food starches.
* Symptoms related to fibromyalgia and chronic pain may be caused or aggravated by carbohydrates in your diet. Try cutting out sugar, cakes, cookies, fruit juices and dried fruits to name a few.
The bottom line is that the protocol for treating chronic pain is the same protocol we use to treat fibromyalgia patients.
You do not have to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia to have chronic pain.