5 Celebrities Living With Fibromyalgia + Natural Ways to Reduce Pain
8 minute read
Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that afflicts millions of people. Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, sleep disturbances, and memory and mood issues, this condition can seriously impact quality of life.
The key to getting ahead of the condition and finding effective treatments lies in increased awareness and understanding. There is no better way to shine the spotlight on a health condition than when celebrities share their stories.
Dealing each day with muscle aches, headaches, numbness, stiffness, and digestive issues, these individuals understand your pain. As more celebrities speak out about their life with fibromyalgia, awareness is raised and we can work to better understand it as well as work to beat it.
Fibromyalgia Fighters
The well-known individuals below all deal with fibromyalgia daily. They serve as role models as they continue to entertain millions all while suffering fibromyalgia-related pains.
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Morgan Freeman
As the most outspoken celebrity and advocate for fibromyalgia awareness, Freeman often discusses his struggle and shares his secrets for getting through each day.
He admits that while he cannot do all his favorite activities, the days are no longer as gloomy and he still finds many fun things to do.
Lady Gaga
A Star Is Born and a Superbowl halftime show are just some of the amazing accomplishments of the irrepressible Lady Gaga, despite her public statement on having fibromyalgia. By coming forward about her struggle, Lady Gaga has added that much more inspiration surrounding her many, and continuing, accomplishments.
Janeane Garofalo
A famous comedian from the 1990s, Garofalo has been making us laugh about a multitude of topics for years. Her inclusion of her struggle with fibromyalgia in a stand-up act let people know of her struggles.
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Able to make light of the condition, she not only brought much-needed awareness, but continues to help others understand that it doesn’t have to ruin your life.
Jo Guest
The former British model had to give up her career because of fibromyalgia and she has not been quiet about it since. Her frustration came from doctor’s not knowing what was wrong for so long.
Her story shed light on the seriousness of the condition has led to increased knowledge on symptoms to look for. With prompt identification and diagnosis, quality of life is much easier to maintain.
Sinead O’Connor
No stranger to being controversial, O’Connor shared her struggle with fibromyalgia openly. In fact, the condition was the reason she abruptly left her promising musical career.
Despite her initial struggles with the condition, she found the silver lining. She openly shares that her fibromyalgia diagnosis was a chance to reassess her life by forcing her to take a step back. She has since returned to music and no longer lets the condition control her life.
Fighting Fibromyalgia
Because no known cause has been found for fibromyalgia, the more we understand about it the better we can treat symptoms. This makes it essential to know the signs and symptoms, so proper and effective treatment can be immediately sought.
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Despite there not being a cure for fibromyalgia, research continues to look for treatment options as well as effective remedies.
Typically painkillers and antidepressants are used to address the symptoms, but these can cause additional health problems or unpleasant side effects. Celebrities sharing their stories have forced more work to be done, and now several natural treatment options are known to reduce your fibromyalgia discomfort. These include:
Yoga: The gentle movements and stretching of yoga has been found to ease fibromyalgia symptoms. Studies have shown that regular yoga classes are linked to reports of less pain and lower stress levels.
Meditation: Because meditation changes the way your brain processes information, it can impact fibromyalgia. Easing your mind and promoting relaxation changes brain signals and can improve symptoms.
Promoting relaxation is also a great way to allow time for your body to heal.
Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine may not be for everyone, but it has been shown to reduce pain associated with fibromyalgia. You can also find benefits from acupressure, which is a reasonable alternative for anyone with a fear of needles.
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In addition to these effective options, you can also get relief with supplemental support. Much of the pain associated with fibromyalgia is linked to inflammation. Inflammation is a normal part of your immune response, but in excess it can be dangerous.
Uncontrolled inflammation causes swelling, aches, tenderness, tissue damage, and is linked to some of the most serious diseases we face.
SAM-e is one supplement that can help ease fibromyalgia pain. This is a molecule that your body naturally produces that blocks inflammatory markers.
You can easily get this molecule as a dietary supplement to ensure you maintain adequate control of inflammation in your body. 5-HTP is a natural amino acid that is also used to boost serotonin levels to relieve stress and anxiety linked to the condition.
With inflammation being a contributing factor to the pain you feel, supplements aimed at inhibiting the inflammatory response will be your best bet.
The spice turmeric, which is often used in curries, contains a powerful anti-inflammatory compound known as curcumin. This compound works to help inhibit inflammation and bring natural pain relief.
Curcumin has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to ease pain associated with inflammation. By inhibiting the actions of pro-inflammatory markers, areas typically affected by fibromyalgia pains can get relief.
Your joints and muscles feel most of the pain as a result of inflammation. When combined with ingredients such as Boswellia serrata, curcumin supplements provide anti-inflammatory support and an overall boost for joint and muscle health.
The Bottom Line
Fibromyalgia is common and affects everyone, even celebrities. It is very real for those who have experienced it and can be frustrating when doctors are not able to identify it.
The willingness to share stories has brought much needed attention to the condition. As celebrities openly discuss the topic, people know what to look for.
While a cure still evades us, we now know enough to identify and promptly diagnose the condition, which leads to effective treatment. There are effective treatment options out there, and you are not alone in the fight. As we continue to gain knowledge and increase awareness, fibromyalgia cannot take the spotlight from you.
