Often confused with chronic fatigue syndrome(CFS), fibromyalgia is a disease that we don't know very much about. Many doctors won't diagnose a patient with fibromyalgia, insisting that it is not a separate ailment from rheumatism or CFS. Scientists have yet to discover just what causes fibromyalgia, and even the mechanism of the disease is poorly understood.

Characterized by insistent fatigue and pains and tenderness in muscle and ligament tissue, fibromyalgia can be anywhere from bothersome to debilitating. It affects mostly women from age 30 to age 50, and can interfere with work and other lifestyle elements. Fibromyalgia tends to come and go, so that there are periods of respite, and times when the disease is quite intense.

What to Do If You Have Fibromyalgia

There is no known cure for fibromyalgia, nor is there a standard course of treatment for the disease. Many doctors actually recommend herbal medicine for fibromyalgia, as most of the drugs at their disposal are ill-suited to relieving the aches and fatigue. Many patients report success with natural remedies, and herbal and supplemental treatments are coming into vogue among sufferers.

There are a variety of herbs used to treat fibromyalgia, and they address different aspects of the disease. The pain can be lessened by drinking teas of birch, willow, juniper, celery seed, or feverfew. In addition, massage oils made from rosemary, arnica, or angelica can soothe sore spots. Ginseng is used to boost energy to fight fatigue, and St. John's wort is used to alleviate depression caused by the condition. These herbs are much milder than drugs, and many patients claim they even work better. Some sufferers have had success with all-in-one supplements that focus on vitamins and minerals as well.