Is Omega-3 Fish Oil Helpful in Treating Fibromyalgia? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Is Omega-3 Fish Oil Helpful in Treating Fibromyalgia?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • Fibromyalgia is a disorder in which there can be pain throughout the body even with no direct cause.
  • The use of any type of supplement for the treatment of fibromyalgia has not been fully supported by Western medicine.
  • Omega-3 fish oil may or may not help people with fibromyalgia. Fish oil has been shown to provide pain relief so it may be more of a personal preference to see if fish oil may help an individual.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that can cause pain throughout the body without warning in which there is currently no cure available.

Several treatments including the consumption of omega-3 fish oil have been noted by several nationally recognized medical publications.

The National Institutes of Health asserts that a clinical trial on the effects of omega 3 fish oil on fibromyalgia patients is currently underway.

Though very little scientific evidence is available to the public, some patients have reported a reduction in pain after introducing omega 3 fish oil into their diets.

Keep in mind that exercise will always be an important component of one’s overall health and has even shown to reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia. Get started on your fitness journey today by going PRO and gaining access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, goal trackers, and more.

What Health Supplements Can Be Used to Treat Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is traditionally treated through both intensive physical therapy as well as prescription medications.

Because the effects of physical therapy are usually only felt for as long as treatment lasts, some people who have fibromyalgia prefer to rely on medicines.

However, most of the prescriptions available for fibromyalgia also come with notable side effects. Both St. John’s wort and 5-HTP are medications that are used for depression but have been shown to help fibromyalgia patients lessen their pain.

5-HTP is a building block for serotonin. Serotonin is found in the brain and is a hormone that helps to regulate both mood and emotions. It has been found that antidepressants, such as 5-HTP medication, may help with pain but doctors don’t know exactly why. The use of any type of supplement for the treatment of fibromyalgia has not been fully supported by Western medicine.

Does Fish Oil Help with Fibromyalgia?

Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to provide benefits such as reducing inflammation and pain. Because of this, omega-3 supplements are commonly taken by people with fibromyalgia. It may be best, however, to get omega-3 fatty acids through natural sources such as fish but omega-3 supplements are generally considered safe.

It may be more of a personal preference to see if omega-3 supplements can help as the use of any type of supplement for the treatment of fibromyalgia has not been fully supported by Western medicine. Consulting with one’s doctor can also ensure that taking supplements are safe and what steps to take moving forward.

Are Fibromyalgia Medications Safe?

There are several different prescription medications available specifically for fibromyalgia patients. Before medicines like Cymbalta were introduced, fibromyalgia sufferers used to rely on similar pain relievers and over the counter drugs.

The human body tends to become immune to pain-relieving medications, especially when they are taken for a long period of time. As a result, prescription pain relievers can only provide temporary relief to fibromyalgia sufferers before their symptoms return.

Cymbalta is currently the most popular prescription given to people with fibromyalgia. Cymbalta has several commonly occurring side effects listed that include disrupted sleeping patterns and dizziness.

More severe but less commonly occurring side effects also include ulcers, hemorrhage, heart attack, and high blood pressure. If you are considering taking a prescription medication to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms, you will need to talk to your doctor.

Underlying medical issues may exacerbate the side effects of Cymbalta, however, you can also experience severe side effects with no prior warning. Ultimately, deciding whether prescription drugs are safe for the treatment of fibromyalgia is a personal decision.

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How Can Fibromyalgia Sufferers Manage Their Pain Without Supplements or Drugs?

Over the counter medications such as aspirin are largely considered to be safe. Combining an anti-inflammatory over the counter medication with physical therapy may help fibromyalgia patients to find long term relief.

Does your current health prohibit you from taking a prescription drug, an over the counter medicine, or even a supplement? You may want to be referred to an experienced physical therapist.

Physical therapy for fibromyalgia patients includes exercises, stretches, and even pain management strategies. If your body tends to tense up when you experience pain, your physical therapist might teach you breathing exercises designed to help you relax.

As with prescription drugs, over the counter medications can become addicting if you do not manage your dosages properly. It is possible for aspirin and related medicines to become fairly ineffective for treating pain and swelling if taken for too long.

Is Fibromyalgia Preventable?

Some medical experts believe that fibromyalgia is a hereditary disease while others have linked it to physical injuries. The overwhelming consensus seems to be that fibromyalgia can be caused by a wide range of factors.

In theory, a small number of cases of fibromyalgia might be able to be prevented, but most doctors agree that this is a disease that can strike anyone. Many people with fibromyalgia suffer in silence for years.

This may cause symptoms to become more severe and make patients less responsive to treatment plans. It is imperative that you meet with your doctor if you have unexplainable pain or other fibromyalgia symptoms for any period of time.

Cymbalta and other fibromyalgia treatments have been helping patients to lead normal lives. Try as many different fibromyalgia treatments as it takes for you to manage your pain and regain control over your life.

Exercise has been shown to reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia. If you are looking for an exercise routine, look no further. Go PRO today for access to certified personal trainers, workout plans, and more.

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