Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Spa Therapy

Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Spa Therapy: Myth or Reality?

Clinical Medicine Insights Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.4137/cmamd.s8797 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. CMAMD.S8797 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Giacomo M. Guidelli ◽

Sara Tenti ◽

Emanuele De Nobili ◽

Antonella Fioravanti

Keyword(s):

Pharmacological Treatment ◽

Sleep Disturbances ◽

Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Modern Medicine ◽

Chronic Widespread Pain ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Unknown Etiology ◽

Spa Therapy ◽

Clinical Effects

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) is a common musculoskeletal disorder characterized by otherwise unexplained chronic widespread pain, a lowered pain threshold, high tender point counts, sleep disturbances, fatigue, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, morning stiffness, paraesthesias in the extremities, often psychological distress and depressed mood. Consequently, FS has a negative impact on working capacity, family life, social functioning and quality of life. Because of unknown etiology and not clearly understood pathogenesis, there is no standard therapy regime for FS. A variety of medical treatments, including antidepressants, opioids, analgesic or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, sedatives, muscle relaxants and antiepileptics, have been used to treat FS. Currently, no pharmacological treatment for FS is consistently successful. According to recent guidelines, the optimal treatment of FS requires a multidisciplinary approach with a combination of non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatment modalities. Spa therapy is a popular treatment for FS in many European countries, as well as in Japan and Israel. However, despite their long history and popularity spa treatments are still the subject of debate and their role in modern medicine is still not clear. The objective of this review is to summarize the currently available information on clinical effects and mechanism of action of spa therapy in FS. We also provide some suggestions for further development in this area.

Download Full-text

Spa Treatment (Balneotherapy) for Fibromyalgia—A Qualitative-Narrative Review and a Historical Perspective

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2013/638050 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Jacob N. Ablin ◽

Winfried Häuser ◽

Dan Buskila

Keyword(s):

Fibromyalgia Syndrome ◽

Historical Perspective ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Spa Therapy ◽

Therapeutic Program ◽

Cochrane Database ◽

History Of ◽

Spa Treatment ◽

Positive Effect

Aim. To perform a narrative review of spa therapy for management of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), evaluating this traditional time-honored form of therapy in a historical perspective. Methods. Medline was searched using the terms “Spa therapy,” “Balneotherapy,” and “Fibromyalgia” between 1990 (year of ACR fibromyalgia criteria publication) and April 2013. The Cochrane database was also searched. Publications relating to the implementation of spa therapy and related practices over the centuries were identified through references, searched, and reviewed.Results. Reports of balneotherapy were described from diverse locations throughout Europe and Asia, and various forms of water-related therapy have been incorporated for many musculoskeletal indications. In the management of FMS, spa therapy has generally been shown to be well accepted and moderately effective for symptom reduction.Conclusion. While achieving high-quality evidence-based conclusions is difficult for complex natural therapies such as spa therapy, the existing evidence indicates a positive effect in management of FMS. In view of the long history of this modality in the management of rheumatic pain as well as the inherent difficulties related to pharmacological treatment, the role of spa therapy should currently be recognized as part of a therapeutic program for FMS.

Download Full-text