Lady Gaga is larger than life, but in her recently released Netflix documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two, the caricatured performer strips down to her human form, one which involves a health struggle millions face, but far too few discuss with the transparency we think it deserves.

In her new doc, Gaga reveals an intimate and often painful reality of living with fibromyalgia; something she recently opened up about on Instagram after needing to cancel part of her European tour to deliberately focus on self-care — setting a brave boundary we could all learn from.

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by chronic pain, intense fatigue and excruciating flare-ups. As there are no externally observable symptoms, many fibro patients suffer from a different kind of problem: getting others to understand their experience so they can get the right diagnosis and the right kind of help.

Gaga opening up about her battle with fibromyalgia is a needed spotlight on a condition that largely exists unseen. It’s also an empowering reminder that wellness is an ongoing journey and that healing is a process we must honor. We love this resource from Food Matters that lists a few natural and effective solutions for managing fibro. Scan the full guide or peek below for a few natural, accessible solutions to consider…

6 SImple, Natural Ways to Manage Fibromyalgia

CLEAN UP YOUR DIET:

Did you know that there is a recognized connection between your gut health, diet and autoimmune disease? Inflammatory foods can cause tiny ‘leaks’ in the lining of your gut, allowing bacteria and chemicals from your digestive tract to travel into the bloodstream and cause inflammation. This process is known as ‘leaky gut syndrome’ and could be a major contributing factor to conditions such as Fibromyalgia. It helps to eliminate wheat, gluten, dairy and sugar – classic inflammatory foods. Many people find that eliminating these foods can help to heal and seal the gut once more, thus fortifying the immune system and helping your body to heal. Having a nutrient-rich, well-rounded diet will ensure that your cells have the best fuel to heal and function optimally. It will also boost your energy.

GET ENOUGH PROTEIN:
When our muscles are sore, we may find that our exercise drops off and we lose some muscle mass. This can lead to a spiral of feeling sorer and weaker, sorer and weaker. Getting adequate protein will help to maintain your muscle mass and keep up your strength. This can be through vegan or animal sources, including red meat, fish, chicken, organic eggs, lentils, nuts, split peas and good quality protein powders.

KNOW YOUR TRIGGERS:

Many people with Fibromyalgia find that their symptoms are switched on or worsened by different triggers.You can try keeping a ‘symptom diary’ and recording what your symptoms are doing at particular times. If you’re not aware of what yours may be just yet, consider some of these common triggers: Physical exertion, other infections and illness, stress and anxiety, changes in the weather and seasons, allergies

MANAGE YOUR STRESS:

The correlation between stress and disease is well-known. Therefore, the best medication for Fibromyalgia may very well be a chill pill, in the figurative sense! Stress triggers a cascade of hormonal, chemical and physiological events within our bodies that ultimately leads to inflammation and suppression of the immune system. Stress also lowers our ability to cope with pain and negative emotions. Reducing your stress will not only benefit your overall health but many people with Fibromyalgia find that it can drastically improve their symptoms too. Stress management tools work differently for everybody. Common, effective stress-reduction techniques include: meditation, positive affirmations, calming music, soothing aromatherapy, gentle yoga, journaling, counseling/therapy and a daily practice of “feel-good” activities.

GET BETTER SLEEP:

Getting plenty of good-quality sleep is marvelously restorative to the human body. Many patients with Fibromyalgia accordingly report that this does assist with their pain and overall condition. Secondly, sleep also improves our resilience to stress and anxiety, which can also affect symptoms.

The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. 
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.