Pain relief with infrared light for fibromyalgia
It often takes several years for a patient to know that they are suffering from chronic pain. Indeed, this is the case with fibromyalgia. This disease, fibromyalgia literally means "pain in connective tissue and muscles," is most common in women and cannot be cured. The infrared light from Sunshower does provide relief, according to Miesje. If I use Sunshower consistently for a few days in a row, I notice a big difference: physically and mentally.
Patients with fybromyalgie appear to have an abnormal production of neurotransmitters, the so-called messenger substances, which makes it impossible to get into deep sleep. Due to this abnormal sleep pattern, the body has difficulty recovering during the night. As a result, sufferers' connective tissue often becomes stiff and tense. The constant tension causes waste build-up in the muscles and fatigue, which is associated with a variety of symptoms including chronic headaches and morning stiffness.
Miesje is one such sufferer. She first developed pain symptoms in her shoulders and hands at the age of 14. Over the years this worsened and the pain also spread to her wrists, hands, ankles and knees. It is not entirely clear what causes fibromyalgia, so a great deal of testing and examination is often needed before a diagnosis is finally reached. Miesje was not actually diagnosed until she was 18.
How does fibromyalgia affect your everyday life?
At the moment, fibromyalgia is something I have learned to deal with, but it certainly restricts me in my everyday life. I am 24 and always have to look after myself. I can't go to parties very often and mustn't have too many late nights. If I do, I will be ill and suffer a lot of pain. So I constantly have to make choices about what I do and don't do. I have to be conscious of my movements at all times and sometimes I feel that I had better take it easy. This means I sometimes have to decline doing things with friends or activities I enjoy.
I also feel more pain when it is cold. So I have to start wearing gloves in the autumn to prevent the pain in my hands. It is less painful in summer. The pain is also worse if the humidity level is high. Regardless of how warm it is.
There is no 'real' medication for fibromyalgia, do you use any particular medication / physiotherapy? And does that help?
My diagnosis was followed by a lot of physiotherapy and a range of treatments. When I was 21, I stopped the treatment altogether as it did not help very much and caused a lot of frustration. I prefer not to take painkillers, but at times I am in so much pain that I cannot function without them. A few times a year (usually in winter) it reaches the stage that taking paracetamol and ibuprofen for a few days in a row is the only way I can feel a little better.
You have been using the Sunshower Combi since late 2019. Do you notice any change since using the Sunshower?
I certainly do! I am not as tired as I was and am in less pain. The UV light from the Sunshower is very bright in the morning, so I have more energy when I get up and fall asleep more easily. I also sleep better because I am in less pain at night. In addition, I've noticed that I have fewer low-mood symptoms and feel much better mentally. My vitality has improved significantly and am consequently able to do more.
What's more, the heat from infrared feels fantastic. My muscles and joints really absorb the heat and are less painful. The difference is especially noticeable in the morning. The overall muscle tone obviously depends on the amount of exercise and how well I slept, but I do notice a very clear difference.
If I don't use the Sunshower for a few days, when I stay with my parents for example, I notice that I experience more pain in the morning and have more difficulty getting up. My muscles are also much tenser and more painful during the day. I tire more easily and do not wake up rested. I also have more joint pains when trying to get to sleep.
To what extent do you feel Sunshower makes a positive contribution to your general well-being?
I will never be completely relaxed, but the Sunshower has really helped me tremendously. The difference is particularly significant when I use the Sunshower consistently for several days in a row. Not just physically, but mentally too. The winter depression I always used to have has gone completely and I feel much more rested and energetic. My pain is less severe and what is particularly striking is that the pain I have in the morning goes away much sooner when I use the Sunshower.
Discover here how infrared light from Sunshower can relax muscles and joints.
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