Polymyalgia Treatment
Symptoms
Polymyalgia rheumatica is a rare rheumatic disease that affects the connective tissues of the body in people over fifty. The muscles in the neck, shoulders, hip and lower back are most vulnerable and become stiff and achy, especially when first getting up in the morning. The muscles also become weak and fatigued. Overuse of the muscles after intense exercise intensifies the pain and stiffness. If severe, additional signs of fever, weight loss and anemia can develop. Overall energy is noticeably depleted. Usually, symptoms begin suddenly and disappear over a period of months. In some cases, symptoms continue for a few years.
Polymyalgia Treatment Causes
As its name suggests, this disease has many similarities with other rheumatic illnesses, such as arthritis, which also causes stiffness, soreness and overall fatigue. The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is linked to an inflammation of the blood vessels supplying these muscles. A mineral imbalance will also trigger polymyalgic rheumatica in some cases.
Polymyalgia Treatment Nutrition
Eliminate bran, coffee and tea from your diet, as these interfere with mineral absorption. Vegetable oils such as flax seed oil and walnut oil reduce the inflammation which causes muscle stiffness. Fish such as trout, cod, halibut, mackerel, salmon, shark and herring also contain oils effective in reducing inflammation. Fish is a good source of quality protein to help stimulate the body's natural production of cortisone. Prescription produced cortisone relieves polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms, but with serious side-effects. Natural cortisone, however, produces no side-effects.
Reduce or eliminate the consumption of refined carbohydrates, such as white flour and sugar, which deplete mineral levels. Celery is an effective treatment. It stimulates the kidneys to expel toxins and uric acid. Juice fasting detoxifies the body and helps determine food allergies causing problems.
Polymyalgia Treatment Nutritional Supplements
The essential fatty acids are most important to provide the body with nutrients to build anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. Evening primrose oil and a combination of oils rich in essential fatty acids should be added to the diet. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids is also useful to combat inflammation and promote tissue healing, as well as to strengthen the blood vessels. Vitamin E improves circulation and flexibility, and is necessary for muscle strength. This vitamin is most helpful in combating rheumatism in the long term. Royal jelly and bee pollen are bee products which help to increase energy and stamina.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily or a combination oil, 1 tsp. daily
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU
Helpful
Royal jelly, 3 tsp.
Bee pollen, 3 tsp.
Polymyalgia Treatment Herbal Remedies
Like other rheumatic diseases, a detoxification program and stimulation of the metabolism are the first steps to improve the condition.
Devil's claw root is a natural anti-inflammatory used to treat rheumatic disorders. It can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with polymyalgia. Take 3 extract tablets, or simmer 1 tsp. of devil's claw root in 1 cup of water for fifteen minutes. Drink three times daily for four weeks. Rest for two weeks, then repeat.
Apply crushed comfrey root pulp to the affected parts and the pain will gradually subside. Once weekly, take a twenty-minute comfrey bath. Soak 1 lb. of finely chopped comfrey root in 5 qt. of cold water for twelve hours. Warm up this liquid; strain and add to bath water. The patient's heart area should remain out of the water. Do not dry the body after the bath, but put on a thick cotton-terry robe and sweat for one hour in bed.
Passion flower, hops and valerian have sedative and muscle-relaxant properties. Prepare a herbal tea with one or all of these herbs, adding 1 tsp. of herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. Drink before bedtime.
St. John's wort is a natural antidepressant. It has properties that benefit adrenal gland hormones and help reduce nerve pain. Take
1 capsule of oil three times a day or rub the oil on the painful areas to relieve pain and encourage sleep.
To relieve rheumatic symptoms, pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 tsp. of dry borage leaves and blossoms; steep for ten minutes; strain and drink every morning.
For one week, drink 2 tbsp. of birch juice with some water three times daily, fifteen minutes before large meals. Then, for one week, take
2 tbsp. of dandelion juice three times daily. Finally, for one week drink 2 tbsp. of stinging nettle juice, three times daily.
Take herbal baths with a combination of juniper, rosemary, fern, mustard or hayseed.
Polymyalgia Treatment Homeopathy
Consult an experienced homeopath for constitutional treatment, which may include diet and lifestyle changes, allergy testing and bowel cleansing routines.
Polymyalgia Treatment Tissue Salts
Take 4 tablets under the tongue every hour or two for initial pain, then four times daily for two weeks.
Ferr phos is excellent for muscle soreness and stiffness that is worse at night and with motion, especially in the initial stages of inflammation.
Nat phos is useful in many cases of rheumatism associated with an overacid condition, often indicated by sour-smelling sweat or an acid taste in the mouth.
Kali sulph is recommended when the pains shift and wander, get worse in hot, stuffy atmospheres and in the evening, and feel better in the cool, open air.
Use Calc phos for cold, numb muscles that are worse at night and in cold, wet weather, but are relieved by rest and warmth.
Mag phos is excellent for sharp, stabbing pains, relieved by warmth and aggravated by cold. Muscle contractions and associated twitching are also helped by this remedy.
Polymyalgia Treatment External/Physical Therapies
Stress reduction, mild aerobic exercises, diet and supplements play an important part in recovery from this condition.
Deep breathing is the basis of all stress-reduction techniques. Deep, relaxed inhalations, expanding the entire chest cavity and using the full diaphragm muscle, are vital to deep breathing.
Detoxification of muscle and body tissue by gentle muscle and lymphatic massage is beneficial.
Heat in various forms, applied to the painful areas, helps to increase blood supply and relax muscles. For undefined rheumatic pains, heat coarse salt in a frying pan without oil; put it in a cotton cloth and place it warm on the painful area.
It is important to keep warm. Wear natural-fiber socks, comfortable loose shoes and avoid drafts or chilling.
Some people find it helpful to wear a copper bracelet. The copper can penetrate the skin and have an anti-inflammatory effect because copper stimulates the liver to manufacture superoxide dismutase (SOD), a powerful antioxidant.
Polymyalgia Treatment Other Suggestions
Blood, urine and hair mineral analyses might be necessary to determine toxic levels of heavy metals in the body. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)
Chelation therapy to remove toxic metals can also bring relief of symptoms (see Appendix 1).
A number of studies demonstrate a relationship between food allergies and connective tissue diseases. Intestinal tract parasitic or fungal (candida) infections need to be investigated and treated before starting on a food allergy elimination program. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)
Polymyalgia Treatment Available Brand Name Products
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Flax Oil (Flora)
Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)
Udo's Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend (Flora)
Udo's Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)
Calcium and Magnesium Citrate
(Natural Factors)
E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)
Flax Seed Oil 1000mg (Natural Factors)
Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)
Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil
(Natural Factors)
Vitamin A (Natural Factors)
Wild Salmon Oil (Natural Factors)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Peace River Bee Pollen (Natural Factors)
Pollen Plus Energy (Natural Factors)
Royal Jelly (Natural Factors)
Herbal Remedies
Greens+ (Greens+)
Devil's Claw Extract (Natural Factors)
St. John's Wort Extract (Natural Factors)
Celery Seed (Nature's Herbs)
Devil's Claw Extract (Nature's Herbs)
St. John's-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Couldnt help but laugh at some of your message...yes, some guru Specialists are twits...makes me wonder how some of them got to where they are. I havnt been too bad thanks Gerry and hope you have been better. Still taking PRednisone...8mg daily split into 2 doses. Was on 7 total daily but had to increase it again. This thing will take forever to get rid of the way its going. Still havnt come across anything easier to help get rid of it. Had my back operated on in Feb this year and its been a long hard road. Had a few setbacks but seems to be heading in the right direction again. See an exercise physiologist on Tues next week to get exercises to help lose weight around the middle and strengthen my back. Been go to physio and he has been a godsend as far as the back is concerned. I actually lost the link to this site so Im so glad you sent me a message Gerry. Im back in touch again...lol. Must fly, you take care and we will have to message more often...often think of you too...