Muscle spasms are part and parcel of many fibromyalgia sufferers symptoms and can occur at any time. So, what can be done to treat muscle spasms and fibromyalgia?

Spasms can occur anywhere in the body, but usually they will be in the back, buttocks and legs. There are a number of theories as to why these spasms occur; one offers the opinion that it may be due to a reduced blood flow and therefore the muscle tissues are short on oxygen. Another suggests that perhaps spasms in the muscles are caused by a reflex reaction. One theory looks at a possible genetic link where fibromyalgia sufferers are susceptible to small tears in the muscle fibers.

Either way these spasms can make sitting for prolonged periods difficult and can interrupt sleep.

When a muscle on either side of the neck is subjected to spasm, a headache will usually occur on one side of the head. This put pressures on the nerves in the neck, affecting those specific nerves that are connected to the stomach, which is why you can feel nauseous.

Those episodes of one-sided headaches are not normally migraines, because they usually don’t involve just one side of the head. One of the common fibromyalgia side effects is a headache accompanied by pains in the neck, shoulders and upper portion of the back.

Treatment for muscle spasms

Try some gentle stretching exercises at home to ease muscle spasms. By keeping the muscles supple and moving you’ll increase the blood flow and encourage healing. If you are unsure about what exercises to do speak to your doctor or make and appointment with a Physical therapist that has experience of dealing with fibromyalgia sufferers.

Regular massage and hot compressions can also work in relieving pain in the muscles. Try and keep your muscles warm as the cold can trigger muscle spasms. Wear layers that are easy to take on and off and always carry a sweater or coat to pull round your shoulders.

Acupuncture is another natural option that has proven helpful for a number of fibromyalgia patients, especially when the muscle spasms are centered on the trigger points as these correlate to some of the common acupuncture sites.

Continue reading for more information about reducing muscle spasms and to sign up for the free fibromyalgia newsletter at the end of the article.
Topical creams aimed at reducing muscle spasms have also shown some good results. Look for ones that contain MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane). MSM is naturally found in most plants and is found in high concentrations in the body in the skin, joints, nails and hair. Like most things the amount we retain reduces as we age leading to breakdown of tissues, fatigue and increased physical stress.

MSM has important anti-inflammatory properties that include an analgesic quality that reduces pain impulses, it increases the blood supply, softens scars and most importantly reduces muscle spasms.

When MSM is applied topically via a cream on the effected muscle the active ingredients penetrate the skin and get into the blood stream quickly and get to work on the painful muscle quickly. You can also take MSM as a supplement for long term relief.

Although MSM is not a drug, but a dietary supplement it would still be advisable to consult your doctor about taking to relieve muscle spasms and fibromyalgia symptoms.

By: Jane Thompson

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A person who suffers from Fibromyalgia can experience many symptoms. Common symptoms include chronic widespread pain in different parts of the body, sleep disorders, and fatigue. One of the more worrying and frustrating symptoms is fibromyalgia numbness that can strike anywhere on the body and can come and go.

This numbness is a neurological symptom that effects around a quarter of fibromyalgia sufferers and is usually accompanied by tingling and pins and needles like sensations. Common places for the numbness to strike are the arms and legs, including the hands and feet. The numbness can also spread to the face. The medical term for this is parestheia.

Numbness in your extremities can prove to be a problem. When numbness strikes your arms, hands and fingers it can be hugely frustrating and greatly inhibit how you live your life, stopping you from performing the smallest everyday tasks like buttoning up your coat and seriously interfere with your ability to work.

The reason behind numbness associated with fibromyalgia isn’t clear. One theory is that it may be caused by muscle spasms pressing on nerves and causing the numbness. A bit like sleeping on your arm can make it go ‘dead’. This may explain why the numbness comes and goes, as when the spasm stops and the nerve is released the feeling comes back.

It is important to note that numbness is a symptom of many other conditions other than fibromyalgia, so if this is a new experience you should make an appointment with your doctor. Other possible causes of numbness are carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes, hypoglycemia or multiple sclerosis and it is important to rule out these conditions as causes.

Unfortunately, there is no known treatment for numbness associated with fibromyalgia so it is important to take note of possible triggers for your numbness and see if they can be removed.

Perhaps your work may be impacting on your numbness. Even typing all day can cause great stress on one who suffers Fibromyalgia. This is why if it can’t be avoided, always exercise the proper procedures when using your hands and arms. For instance, use an ergonomic keyboard and make sure that the height and length of the table on which you put your arms down to type is ideal and comfortable. Most importantly, don’t over exert yourself and overdo the typing or any other work that may exacerbate the numbness.

After discussion with your employer, you may be able to create a suitable and healthy working environment for you to be able to cope with the problems you have to deal with that come with Fibromyalgia.

People who suffer from this syndrome have been known to undergo prolonged lengths of remission after altering one’s lifestyle and learning to cope with FMS through a mix of medical and alternative treatments. To learn about natural methods to tackle fibromyalgia symptoms sign up for the free newsletter below.

Even with all the support and allowances given to you at work, it still may be difficult to cope with Fibromyalgia numbness and getting your job done. This may mean that you have to change the nature of your work to something that is less taxing on your hands and arms.

By: Jane Thompson

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