Effects of Fibromyalgia On Legs and its Management

It’s the middle of the night and you’ve finally fallen asleep. Even if it’s just a doze, then, out of nowhere, you scream out in agony because your leg and foot have cramped up severely. So severely, in fact, that your toes contract and contort into strange positions, the pain is so intense that you can’t even put your feet on the floor or against a wall to stretch your toes back out to normal.

The muscle cramps in your leg are so powerful that it feels strangely reminiscent of labor pains. In fact, sometimes it even seems to ebb and flow in that same manner, just like contractions. Eventually the pain subsides, but then it happens a few more times during the night. Leg pain linked to fibromyalgia may build up in the tendons, muscles, or ligaments neighboring the joints. Although the pain manifests in these areas, the sensations are amplified by problems in pain processing by the nervous system, according to the American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association.

So what causes these cramps or spasms in the legs and often the feet as well? Frankly, they don’t really know for sure what causes fibromyalgia and leg cramps. At least not in regards to fibromyalgia patients in particular. So let’s just move on to finding ways to alleviate it. There are many techniques for dealing with fibromyalgia and leg cramps. You just have to find the one that works for you.

Individuals with fibromyalgia will probably create eager leg disorder, a neurological issue described by throbbing or other hard to-oversee impressions that make a wild desire to move the legs. The sensations ordinarily decline around evening time and disperse by morning. They can happen in 1 or both legs. By moving their legs, individuals with anxious leg disorder can discover alleviation from the agony and other offensive emotions.

In any case, resting likewise has a tendency to disturb the leg sensations, making it hard to rest. Taking supplements, for example, iron, magnesium, and folate may likewise assist decrease leg torment identified with fibromyalgia and fretful leg disorder. A nutritional deficiency, such as magnesium, can cause harsher symptoms. One thing a lot of us with fibromyalgia already do is to take a warm or hot bath using Epsom salts that contain magnesium. Taking a bath this way before bed helps to relax the muscles, and adding lavender essential oil to the mix will help you relax and possibly sleep better, as well as alleviate symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

For those like me who are unable to get in and out of a bathtub, we can make a tea with Natural Vitality Natural Calm magnesium. It’s organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. It’s what I drink before bed. A bonus is this product also helps me feel calm if I’m under stress. Narcotics are sometimes prescribed, but there isn’t any evidence that the drugs mitigate leg pain related to fibromyalgia, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Additionally, narcotics carry significant risks of addiction and abuse.

Management

Ways to encourage restful sleep include establishing a regular sleep schedule, exercising early in the day, and keeping the bed for sleeping only. Browsing the Internet or reading a book in bed can keep the brain awake and make it difficult to sleep. Creating a relaxing pre-bedtime routine can also help you fall asleep. For support and Discussion join the group “Living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Illness” and ask the member what they do for pain relief

Taking a bath or listening to relaxing music helps the day fade into the background and the mind unwind. Making certain to get adequate exercise is another vital lifestyle factor, perhaps the most significant for managing leg pain and fibromyalgia, according to NIAMS.

Fighting through the pain and fatigue to get the heart pumping, taking a walk, or riding a bike can support good sleep and also alleviate pain. Since fibromyalgia has an inflammatory part, consuming a diet loaded in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains can help lessen symptoms.

Many people with fibromyalgia have food sensitivities, whether with gluten, dairy, eggs, or preservatives. To make cooking with healthy food easier, purchase fruits and vegetables that are already chopped or washed.

Buying prepared foods from a natural or health foods store can also be an alternative to cooking. Occasionally prepared foods have potentially pain-causing ingredients even if they’re touted as healthy so take care to understand ingredient lists. Cooking with herbs including the potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant spices ginger and turmeric may also help reduce leg pain related to fibromyalgia.

There are absolutely other methods of relieving the often debilitating and agonizing pain from muscle cramps/spasms that accompany fibromyalgia. Vitamin E is reported to be very helpful for muscle cramping, especially for those who live a rather sedentary life. Many have had great success with the prescription drug Lyrica, which is one of the more common pharmaceuticals used to treat fibromyalgia anyway.

There are other options such as acupressure. Some fibro patients have learned how to do this to themselves. But you’ll need to begin by visiting a quality acupuncturist or acupressurist first in order to get some direction. Yoga is exceptionally beneficial for keeping the muscles stretched and mobile. This leads to greater blood flow and minimizes cramping. For some fibro patients, it works completely.

The keys are to not overdo it and to listen to your body. One more option is called the Bowen technique, also known as Bowen therapy. Similar to acupressure, this technique uses gentle rolling movements to promote healing and pain relief. It’s so effective that it’s even used for horses!

References:

• Fibromyalgia and leg Cramps by Tiffany Vance-Huffman via Fibromyalgia Treating
• Effects of Fibromyalgia On Legs. Connection between Fibro and Leg Pain via Stay Aware With Us