Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that consists of musculoskeletal pain that’s typically described as a “numbness, pricking, burning, and stabbing feeling.” Sleep issues, fatigue, and emotional distress can also come with this condition.

Currently, fibromyalgia has no cure, and doctors aren’t currently sure what causes it.

Standard treatments for the symptoms of fibromyalgia include pain relievers, antidepressants, and antiseizure drugs. These can help reduce symptoms like pain, fatigue, and insomnia.

For some people, though, these medications may not provide the perfect solution. They may cause side effects that make them difficult to keep taking, and they may not adequately relieve the pain.

Because of this, lifestyle changes and more natural remedies are often recommended. Below are a few of the more popular natural remedies for fibromyalgia.

Several studies suggest that yoga may help ease symptoms of fibromyalgia. A small, older study from 2012 found that yoga, along with breathing exercises and meditation, improved fibromyalgia symptoms and coping skills. This was still true even 3 months after the initial study — provided the individual was still practicing.

A newer case report from 2020 echoed these statements, finding that 9 months of yoga helped an individual living with fibromyalgia experience a reduction in muscle fatigue and improvement in overall quality of life.

A study from 2019 also found that yoga seemed to lessen symptoms of pain and improve sleep, albeit modestly.

Researchers caution that the more one sticks with an actual yoga practice, the better it works on pain and sleep. They also caution that more studies need to be done to better understand which individuals this natural remedy may benefit the most.

Can meditation change the way your brain processes pain signals? The jury is still out on that, but it’s clear that meditation can provide some relief from fibromyalgia pain.

A clinical review from 2015 found evidence that meditation can relieve the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms, as well as perceived stress.

A newer review from 2017 also concluded that mindfulness meditation may improve instances of pain, stress, and symptom severity in individuals living with fibromyalgia.

The study goes on to say that more research needs to be done to see if meditation truly helps creative physiological changes or simply allows an individual to deal with their symptoms better.

Massage therapy can be very beneficial for a variety of conditions, including fibromyalgia.

According to a 2014 review, individuals who were able to participate in massage therapy for more than 5 weeks had improved pain, anxiety, and depression symptoms. As with many more natural remedies, though, researchers say more studies on a wider range of people need to be done.

Even though it may be difficult to motivate yourself to work out when you’re dealing with a flare of fibromyalgia pain, studies show that both aerobic exercise and weightlifting are beneficial.

In fact, a 2017 review found that aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercises are the most effective way of reducing pain and improving well-being in individuals with fibromyalgia.

If you’ve never lifted weights before, make sure to talk with a certified personal trainer about some helpful moves to start with.

Acupuncture is an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine in which thin needles are inserted into your skin at different points of your body. It’s used to treat a variety of conditions.

According to a 2019 review, acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for fibromyalgia, and may even be more effective than medication in both the short and long term when it comes to pain management. But more large-scale studies need to be done before researchers can say for sure how effective this remedy truly is across the board.

Tai chi is another ancient Chinese practice. It involves moving your body slowly and gently through a series of poses and has shown some potential for easting fibromyalgia symptoms.

According to a 2018 study that followed 226 individuals with fibromyalgia for 52 weeks, tai chi practice once or twice a week produced similar or greater improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms than aerobic exercise, making it an effective natural remedy.

Fibromyalgia is a stress-related pain condition, which means that symptoms may increase when stress hormones like cortisol rise. According to a 2019 study, stress management classes for women with fibromyalgia seemed to reduce the amount of pain they experienced.

According to the same study, counseling with cognitive behavioral approaches also reduced markers of inflammation and pain.

People with fibromyalgia often have a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and should be screened and treated for this, as those with PTSD can experience stress more intently.

Research on fibromyalgia is ongoing. Experts continue to make new discoveries around what may be causing the condition, as well as what treatments are most effective.

In addition to the natural remedies above, keeping to a nutrient-rich diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables can be beneficial for fibromyalgia pain, as can focusing on getting plenty of sleep.

Getting adequate amounts of vitamins B and D, as well as iron, may also help with your symptoms. Talk with a healthcare professional about the possibility of adding vitamins to your daily routine.

If standard medications aren’t giving you the relief you need, talk with a healthcare professional about complementary therapies. Massage therapy, yoga, meditation, or other options may not only help with pain but may also improve your quality of life.