Meditation and fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

good advice I will try to do mediation in jan 2009.I do have my 15

minute quiet time praying and talking to GOD

after I read my quiet time then the Bible too.

Hugs heidi

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue are distressing

disorders, characterized by pain, fatigue, and a multitude of other

possible symptoms including depression and anxiety. Meditation has

been shown to benefit people with Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic

Fatigue syndrome (CFS) through calming the mind and easing the body.

What Is Meditation?

Meditation is an ancient practice used by many cultures as a way of

experiencing a deep spiritual connection, such as a connection to

God, inner peace, or a freeing from the struggles of the material

world. Its roots have been in the East, but the West has also used

meditation techniques like prayer and Celtic nature ceremonies.

There are many different types of meditation, such as following the

breath, visualization, repeating a mantra, sound meditation, and

mindfulness meditation. Meditation allows a person to take a break

from the endless chattering of the mind and the worries and stress of

everyday life. It engenders a feeling of relaxation and peace, whilst

producing mental clarity and alertness. Meditation helps you to let

thoughts or feeling that arise to pass without reaction. The

wandering attention is gently brought back to the meditation. Studies

show that you don't need to believe in a religion or even

spirituality to benefit from meditation. Nor does it seem to matter

what technique is used. The main criterion is to practice it

regularly.

What Are The Benefits Of Meditation?

Mental/Emotional Benefits:

More even moods, fewer mood swings.

Releasing Depression

Less anxiety

Increased energy and vitality

Improved memory and cognitive function

A sense of peace and calm

Less Stress

Physical benefits of Meditation:

Lowered blood pressure

Reduced heart rate

More balanced nervous system

Better Sleep

May help balance the immune system to help the body resist disease

and heal

Less physical stress and a more balanced the autonomic nervous system

(which is what governs the stress response in the body.)

How Does Meditation Help People With FM and CFS?

Research has shown time and again that meditation can help people who

suffer from chronic pain. It is also one of the most ancient, proven

methods relieving stress.

Recently, meditation has been shown to reduce symptoms of FM and CFS.

It is one of the most ancient systems for reducing stress, which is a

key feature of these conditions. Stress exacerbates CFS and FM, as

well as causing more of it, creating a vicious circle. Lowering

stress in some way is important for sufferers, and meditation is free

and doesn't require leaving the house or depending on others (unless

you want to take a class, which is helpful, especially in the

beginning). It also doesn't require special equipment or clothing,

and there are no side effects.

Meditation has also been shown to improve sleep patterns and increase

energy. Furthermore, research has continually shown that it reduces

pain levels. It can enhance the body's ability to heal itself, and

improve overall quality of life.

Physically, it can lower the level of cortisol in the body, which is

a stress hormone. Mentally, it helps you to get your mind off of

worries, pain, stress, and illness. It allows you to cultivate a

focus on something completely unrelated to your life, your pain, or

your illness.

Meditation is not a cure for FM or CFS; it is an ancient tool for

relieving symptoms as well as taking control of your illness.

What Are The Downfalls of Meditation?

•Meditation is a simple exercise that is incredibly difficult to

actually put into practice. Even for the healthiest people with few

worries and anxieties, the mind is constantly flitting from one

thought to the next. It takes discipline to remain still and not

react to the thoughts, feelings, and stimulants of the world.

However, the benefits of taking this time to be disciplined are many.

For people with CFS and FM, taking a break from their mind and

illness is incredibly powerful. The best thing to do is to just book

the time in everyday and see what happens without being desperate or

judgmental of the results.

•It takes 20 minutes of daily practice which can be difficult to

squeeze in.

However, if you see that the long term benefits are going to give

improved sleep, more energy, and less pain, 20 minutes is probably

worth is.

•Some doctors are concerned that people will think mediation is a

cure for their illness and be disappointed.

Any good meditation teacher will tell you that meditation is not a

cure for any illness or problem. It is a long term strategy that has

proven useful to many people for centuries to improve their overall

wellbeing.

What Is The Research?

One study, conducted in 1993, tested the effects of daily meditation

on 77 Fibromyalgia patients. 51% of participants reported moderate to

significant improvement in their symptoms.

In 1998, researchers studied the effects of meditation on FM. They

found that meditative practices lessened the aches, sleeplessness,

muscle pain, and depression experienced by people with this condition.

Another 1998 study revealed that people with CFS who used mind/body

medicine practices such as meditation tripled their chances of

improvement over a one year period, compared people with CFS who did

not take engage in these practices.