Alternative treatments are in great demand — this is especially true for people with pain-related illnesses such as Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues throughout the body. It is often combined with other symptoms like Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ/TMD), irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, depression, anxiety, cognitive issues, and sleep interruption. This painful and mysterious condition affects between three to five percent of the American population, predominantly women. Chiropractic care is a very common alternative or complementary treatment for Fibromyalgia pain. People use it to treat pain of pressure points, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, and pain from musculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractic treatment is effective for Fibromyalgia because it will reduce pain levels and increase cervical and lumbar ranges of motion.
Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
Diagnosis of FMS can be difficult, as there is no specific lab test to determine if the patient has the disorder. Current guidelines state that a diagnosis can be made if a person has widespread pain for more than three months, with no underlying medical condition. Pain is highly personal, so one person’s “I hurt all over” is not necessarily the same as another person’s “I hurt all over.” This is why doctors often check for certain tender points on the body when it comes to diagnosing Fibromyalgia. There are 18 points (9 pairs) that tend to be painful when pressed and may spread pain to other body parts. People with Fibromyalgia have pain in at least 11 of these tender points when a doctor applies a certain amount of pressure.
Finding a Cause
Fibromyalgia is one seriously confusing condition as science has yet to uncover a clear cause. The sheer amount of research into everything from serotonin to small nerve fibers is overwhelming. It’s frustrating for patients, who are just trying to understand what is going on inside their bodies! Beyond the painful symptoms, one of the more frustrating aspects of Fibromyalgia is that doctors cannot pinpoint the cause of this disorder. At this time, medical professionals and experts believe that the various factors causing the disorder are: genetics, infections, physical or emotional trauma or stress.
Chiropractic Method
There are also several ways to combat the physical pains of Fibromyalgia. Chiropractic care is a very effective method of coping with this chronic pain. The process of administering chiropractic care is a detailed and complex procedure. The chiropractor first diagnoses the key reasons behind the pain and then works to alleviate the symptoms. The chiropractor will make use of a patient’s clinical evaluation and blood tests to determine the presence of conditions like Lyme disease, anemia, rheumatoid problems, and hormonal imbalances. Other potential problems like allergies or poor nutrition are also examined. Chiropractic care has helped a large number of people from all walks of life. The most common problems associated with Fibromyalgia that chiropractors help manage is joint and back pain. Chiropractors also suggest nutritional advice and dietary changes in addition to certain lifestyle changes that can greatly help in reducing or even eliminating the pain associated with Fibromyalgia. The techniques used by chiropractors to combat the pain of Fibromyalgia are diverse. The main goal of chiropractic care is to reduce the stresses and pains that are caused by Fibromyalgia. Some of the most common therapies include ultrasound stimulation and electrical stimulation of affected areas. Massage therapy is also a very useful tool that is used by experienced chiropractors to combat skeletal and muscular pain.
Focus on Overall Health
As chiropractors, one of our focuses in overall health and well-being is stress. Subluxations, a misalignment of the vertebrae in the spine, can be caused by the three Ts: toxins, trauma and thoughts (stress). These subluxations hinder the optimal function of the nervous system, which consists of the brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and a network of nerve cells and fibers that transmit signals from different parts of the body. When subluxations thwart this communication between the brain and the body, health issues can rise. Chiropractors use gentle adjustments to the spine to remove these subluxations. Studies have linked chiropractic care and management of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, such as pain, fatigue, and quality of sleep. One study found that “chiropractic management improved patients’ cervical and lumbar ranges of motion, straight leg raise, and reported pain levels.” In a Florida State University study, FMS patients who combined resistance training and chiropractic treatment two times a week saw improvements in their symptoms, flexibility, balance, coordination, and endurance.
If you think you may suffer from Fibromyalgia give us a call. Our staff will answer your questions and help you discover pain relief.
Contact Us (859-727-6888) for more information!
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About All Star Chiropractic
Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs, All Star Chiropractic and Rehabilitation emphasizes improving your health in an effort to reduce the risk of pain and illness in the first place. Most people would rather be healthy and avoid illness, if they could. This is one of the main reasons for the big surge in the popularity of our wellness center.
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