• Sufficient sleep. Getting enough sleep is key for patients with fibromyalgia, as fatigue is one of the most difficult symptoms of the disorder to deal with. Good sleep habits must include limited daytime napping and a regular sleep schedule.
• Regulation of energy and activity. Sticking to a consistent daily activity level with moderation will help ensure fewer flare-up days and a better quality of life.
• Maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthy foods and limiting consumption of caffeine is important. Each day should include balance and fulfillment through enjoyable activities.
• Regular exercise. Regular exercise may hurt at first but will bring a gradual decrease of symptoms. Consistent and appropriate exercises such as swimming, biking, walking and water aerobics will improve energy, reduce flare-ups, and help provide regular sleep. Relaxation exercises, stretching and maintaining good posture will also help.

Alternative Medicine

Rounding out the top ten treatments for fibromyalgia is an alternative medicine treatment: acupuncture.

Although acupuncture has not been proven to be effective for fibromyalgia, it is proven effective for other physical ailments. This form of Chinese medicine is based on the restoration of balance among life forces within the body. These forces are balanced through insertion of tiny needles into the skin at varied depths on specific areas of the body.

Western doctors believe that acupuncture works because the needles alter blood flow and neurotransmitters in both the spinal cord and brain. Studies have proven that acupuncture may often be effective for pain reduction. This is something individual patients must determine for themselves, according to whether their symptoms improve using the ancient Chinese medical practice.