Fibromyalgia

More than 10 million cases per year (India). Medication, talk therapy and stress reduction may help in controlling the symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by chronic

widespread pain at multiple tender points, joint stiffness, and systemic symptoms (e.g., mood disorders, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and insomnia) without a well-defined underlying organic disease. Nevertheless, it can be associated with specific diseases such as rheumatic pathologies, psychiatric or neurological disorders, infections, and diabetes.
The etiology and pathogensis of fibromyalgia are dysfunction of the central and autonomic nervous systems, neurotransmitters, hormones, immune system, external stressors, psychiatric aspects etc.
In Ayurveda Fibromyalgia can be classified as mamsa & medo dhatugat dushti (diseases affecting muscles and tendons) and mamsa medo gata Vāta (diseases of excess Vāta dosha in muscles and tendons). Additionally, it involves dysfunction in vāta vaha srota, mamsa vaha srota and mamsa dhatvagni. It falls into a subtype of disease known in Ayurveda as vātavyādhi (diseases caused primarily by vitiated Vāta dosha), but always has Pittaja and Kaphaja involvement and variations. Vātavyādhi is a disease of chronic and unpredictable (anavasthita) nature, involving primarily the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. It is described in ancient texts as manifesting with a variety of possible and changing symptoms and signs including pain, stiffness, contracture, fatigue, gradual loss of movement, and mental disturbance. This description is remarkably similar to our modern description of fibromyalgia.
Despite improved understanding of its pathologic processes, Fibromyalgia remains undiagnosed in as many as 70% of people with the condition. Diagnosis time averages 5 years, resulting in delayed treatment and potentially suboptimal medical care. Women currently account for 80% to 90% of cases diagnosed. One fact that is commonly ignored is that most women are more sensitive to painful stimuli than men and therefore have a greater response than men to the diagnostic tender point examination that is included in the conventional medical criteria (tenderness on digital palpation at pre-designated sites).
The core triad of fibromyagia symptoms include Chronic widespread pain (in the right and left side of the body, above and below the waist, and in the axial skeleton) of long duration (2-3 months) as the primary hallmark symptom.Fatigue & Sleep disturbance, including non-restorative sleep (feeling unrefreshed after a night’s sleep).
Fibromyalgia symptoms can wax and wane, varying in intensity from day to day and by physical location, all features which reflect its Vāta nature. Patients with FM frequently report impairment in multiple areas of function, especially physical function. Overall, patients with FM are a heterogeneous population. The impact of FM spans the continuum from patients who are mildly to moderately affect by FM symptoms to those who are more severely affected and have markedly impaired function and quality of life.
Fibromyalgia should be considered in all patients with multiple regions of chronic pain (at a single point in time or during the course of their lifetime), especially if they report multiple somatic symptoms. Generally, the index of suspicion for FM should increase the longer the chronic widespread pain and other symptoms have been present, the more variable the symptoms, and the more body systems that are involved.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Fibromyalgia

The Caraka Samhita Sūtrasthāna chapter 13 famously elaborates on the preeminence and primacy of the Vata dosha in the human being. Caraka tells us that Vata is the subtlest substance of the body penetrating as a life force everywhere in the physiology. Furthermore, it sustains, activates and coordinates the sensory and motor organs.
The treatment of fibromyalgia, which is primarily amamso medo gata vātavyadi disease, inchapter no 28 of charaka chikitsa sthana it is described

“VIREKO MAMSO MEDOSTHE NIRUHA SAMANANI CHA”.

Which means Purgation therapy or virechan is the main stay followed by Vasthi & focus on both Vāta samshamana (re-balance) and samshodhana (purification) of the nervous and musculo-skeletal systems .
After a course of panchakarma & Ayurveda medicines the dearrange vata get stabilize ultimately this helps to achieve the compelte cure from fibromyalgia.