Can I relieve my fibromyalgia pain without drugs?

Pain medication is a popular treatment option for patients with fibromyalgia. There are at least eight drugs that are routinely prescribed to patients with this condition (WebMD, 2019). However, more and more patients are searching for pain relief that doesn’t involve drugs. 

Physical therapy is a nondrug option that can help relieve fibromyalgia pain. One study shows that three groups of patients treated with physical therapy had significant improvements in pain. Many different physical therapy techniques can benefit fibromyalgia patients. This is why therapists will typically include multiple therapy methods in your treatment plan.

Three therapy methods that can help relieve fibromyalgia pain without drugs

Relieving fibromyalgia pain without using drugs isn’t a one-step goal. Physical therapists typically create therapy plans that use multiple methods to help patients meet this goal. Many therapy techniques can be useful for treating fibromyalgia. There are three in particular that could be more beneficial for you than others. 

1. Electrical stimulation — This technique uses electrode pads and a special device to get low-power electrical pulses into the painful area of your body. It’s believed that these pulses block the pain signals being sent to the brain. One study reports that participants who had electrical stimulation had a 30% or greater reduction in pain. 

2. Trigger point release — Myofascial trigger points (MTPs) are areas of tension that develop in soft tissue. A medical study reports that 18% of fibromyalgia patients surveyed had active MTPs. Therapists apply therapeutic pressure to the trigger point with their hands; this pressure can break down the MTP and reduce tension and pain. 

3. Therapeutic exercise — Therapeutic exercises can help reduce fibromyalgia pain in several ways: They can relieve tension in soft tissue. Such exercises can also boost the production of natural painkillers in your body (NIH, 1984). One study shows that less than 47% of patients in groups treated with therapeutic exercise took pain medication after their treatment. 

Armor Physical Therapy can help relieve your fibromyalgia pain without drugs

Are you searching for physical therapy that can help relieve your fibromyalgia pain without drugs? At Armor Physical Therapy, our team is ready and willing to help you. We offer free screenings that can help us learn how fibromyalgia is affecting you. Our team can then build you a personalized treatment plan to treat your symptoms. 

Contact us today for more information about our fibromyalgia treatment services or to schedule an initial appointment.