My Top 5 Holistic Recovery Approaches
Long COVID and fibromyalgia are deeply connected in my story. After battling long COVID, I was unexpectedly diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The persistent pain, fatigue, and mood swings were overwhelming, plunging me into depression. Conventional approaches (like NSAIDs or opioids) offered only temporary relief and side effects. So, I chose a holistic journey accepting my reality and embracing lifestyle-based healing. Below are my Top 5 holistic recovery approaches, with a special focus on aura and electromagnetic (EMF) therapies, where I found transformative treatments.
What is Long COVID & Fibromyalgia
Long COVID
After recovering from COVID-19, some people don’t go back to normal. Weeks or even months later, they feel tired, foggy, in pain, and just “not right.” That’s called long COVID.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition where your whole body feels sore or achy, but there’s no visible injury. You might also feel:
- Very tired
- Mentally foggy (“fibro fog”)
- Easily overwhelmed by noise, light, or stress
Doctors often can’t “see” anything in tests but your pain is very real.
The Problem with Regular Treatments
Most doctors give:
- Painkillers (but they only mask the pain)
- Antidepressants (but they come with side effects)
- “Just exercise” advice (but pushing too hard makes you worse)
I wanted something more natural, gentle, and long-lasting. So I explored holistic methods—and they helped me more than I ever expected.
My 5-Step Recovery Plan (Made Easy for Everyone)
Step 1: Acceptance (Not Giving Up Just Being Kind to Yourself)
Before healing can start, I had to make peace with the chaos. Accepting fibromyalgia isn’t surrender it’s empowerment. Research in chronic pain shows acceptance-based coping significantly reduces pain severity and anxiety. Living symptom-free isn’t the goal it’s about embracing the journey, warts and all.
When I first got sick, I felt angry, scared, and frustrated.
But one day I realized:
Fighting my body wasn’t helping me heal.
I needed to listen to it.
So I stopped blaming myself for being tired. I started accepting that it’s okay to rest. That’s not failure it’s healing.
✅ Try this:
- Say to yourself: “I’m not lazy. I’m healing.”
- Give yourself permission to slow down.
Step 2: Gentle Movement + Rest (Not Exercise Just Gentle Activity)
Exercise isn’t a cure, but it’s a powerful ally. EULAR guidelines highlight aerobic exercise as the #1 non-drug intervention for fibromyalgia
You don’t need to “work out.”
Just move a little each day and rest often.
For me, the magic combo was:
- Warm water exercises (my muscles felt so light!)
- Yoga
- Far-Infrared Sauna (more on this below!)
Why this helps: Movement improves blood flow, boosts energy, and helps your brain release natural painkillers called endorphins.
✅ Try this:
- Walk slowly in nature
- Do 5 minutes of gentle stretching
- Dance to your favorite song
Step 3: Hot & Cold Therapy (Sounds Weird But Feels Amazing)
This isn’t just a warm up it’s deep healing. Far-infrared penetrates tissues, boosts blood flow, and lowers inflammatory markers. A study found 11–70% pain reduction after just 10 sessions, with sustained benefits and a broader review noted benefits for cardiovascular health, muscle recovery, mood, and more.Following heat with cold whole-body cryotherapy helps reset nerve sensitivity and ease inflammation. The duo is my weekly reset button: heat, then chill, repeat.
What is a Far-Infrared Sauna?
A far-infrared sauna uses invisible heat rays that go deep into your muscles and bones. It’s not as hot as a regular sauna but it feels better and heals deeper.
🌡️ Benefits:
- Relieves deep muscle pain
- Reduces inflammation (swelling)
- Improves sleep
- Detoxes your body (you sweat out toxins!)
A study in Japan showed that fibromyalgia patients felt up to 70% better after just 10 sauna sessions.
What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is the opposite it’s super cold air for 2–3 minutes. This makes your body release healing chemicals that reduce pain and reset your nervous system.
It sounds scary but feels refreshing!
✅ Try this:
- Use a far-infrared sauna at a wellness center like Aura Malaysia
- Try cryotherapy once a week if available near you
Step 4: EMF and Aura-Based Healing at Aura Malaysia
What is PEMF?
PEMF = Pulsed Electromagnetic Field
It’s a gentle signal sent to your body using a device. It feels like nothing but it recharges your cells and helps them work better.
Think of it like giving your body’s battery a boost!
People with fibromyalgia who used PEMF reported less pain and better sleep in scientific studies.
- At Radium Singapore, they use a special PEMF machine called Ondamed. It scans your body’s energy fields (your “aura”) and sends healing waves where you need them most.
- It’s safe, non-invasive, and you can relax while it works.
- What is Vibroacoustic Therapy?
- You lie down and feel gentle vibrations (sound waves) through a mat or chair. It’s like a sound massage for your whole body.
- This calms your nervous system and helps reduce pain, anxiety, and even depression.
- ✅ Try this:
- Visit Aura Malaysia and ask for an aura scan + PEMF session
- Try vibroacoustic therapy great for stress and sleep!
Step 5: Mind-Body Tools & Community Support
Fibro and long COVID don’t just affect the body they impact your spirit. Mind-body balance matters.
Your body and mind are connected. If your brain is stressed, your body feels more pain.
That’s why I added:
- 🧘♂️ Breathwork (slow breathing calms nerves)
- Boosts heart-rate variability and calms stress response
- 🧎♀️ Meditation (focuses the mind)
- Tai chi and yoga improve sleep, mood, and pain
- ❤️ Support groups (online or offline)
- Online or in-person support shrinks isolation and increases hope.
Even just talking to others who understand made me feel less alone and more hopeful.
✅ Try this:
- Breathe in for 4 counts, out for 6, for 2 minutes a day
- Join a Facebook group for long COVID or fibromyalgia
- Write down 3 things you’re grateful for daily
Daily Lifestyle Tools You Can Use
| Habit | Why It Helps | Quick Tip |
| Hydration & Nutrition | Supports detox, nerve, and immune health | Avoid gluten/sugar, hydrate pre-/post-sauna |
| Sleep Ritual | Pre-bed sauna session supports cortisol and deep sleep | Try magnesium baths or guided meditation |
| Consistent Routine | Daily micro-steps beat exhaustion binges | Use planners/reminders to pace your days |
| Flare-up Strategy | Flare-ups = feedback, not failure | Track triggers & respond with self-care days |
Daily Lifestyle Tools You Can Use
After 3 months of doing these five steps:
- I had more energy
- My mood improved
- I was sleeping better
- My pain levels dropped a lot
Was it magic? No. But it was gentle, consistent, and powerful.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone And You Can Feel Better
Today, I’m less pain more peace. My moods are smoother. I’ve regained focus, energy, and joy. Sure, fibromyalgia never fully leaves but it no longer defines me.
Capsule recap of my Top 5:
- Acceptance – Keep it real, keep it flexible
- Smart movement – Water + infrared + tai chi combo
- Heat + cold contrast – Deep sauna + cryotherapy
- Aura/EMF tuning – Ondamed PEMF + vibroacoustic rebalance
- Mind/emotion integration – Breathing, mindfulness, community
This journey blends science, spirit, and serious self-love. If you’re in Malaysia or elsewhere, check if Aura offers these therapies and if not, find good substitutes in your area!
References
- Matsumoto, S., Shimodozono, M., Etoh, S., Miyata, R., & Kawahira, K. (2011). Effects of thermal therapy combining sauna therapy and underwater exercise in patients with fibromyalgia. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 17(3), 162–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.10.003
- Sutbeyaz, S. T., Sezer, N., Koseoglu, F., & Kibar, S. (2009). Low-frequency pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in fibromyalgia: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical study. The Clinical Journal of Pain, 25(8), 722–728. https://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0b013e3181a68a6c
- Thomas, A. W., Graham, K., & Prato, F. S. (2007). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial using a low-frequency magnetic field in the treatment of musculoskeletal chronic pain. Pain Research & Management, 12(4), 249–258. https://doi.org/10.1155/2007/103620
- Yuenyongchaiwat, K., Boonsinsukh, R., & Yamauchi, J. (2022). Infrared radiation in the management of musculoskeletal disorders: A review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(6), 1683. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11061683
- Eureka Health. (2023). Fibromyalgia pain worse in winter: Infrared sauna or cryotherapy? Retrieved July 16, 2025, from https://www.eurekahealth.com/resources/fibromyalgia-pain-worse-in-winter-infrared-sauna-or-cryotherapy-en
- Health.com Editors. (2024, February 26). Health benefits of infrared saunas. Health.com. Retrieved July 16, 2025, from https://www.health.com/infrared-sauna-8581962
- Clearlight Saunas EU. (n.d.). Infrared sauna for fibromyalgia. Retrieved July 16, 2025, from https://www.clearlightsaunas.eu/blog/infrared-sauna-fibromyalgia
- Wikipedia contributors. (2025, July 15). Fibromyalgia. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia
- Wikipedia contributors. (2025, July 10). Infrared sauna. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_sauna
- Wikipedia contributors. (2025, July 12). Heat therapy. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_therapy
