Chiropractic Care for Fibromyalgia

Chiropractor Dr. Troy Dreiling provides relief to women and men with fibromyalgia. Arrange for your free consultation by calling our clinic. Zenaptic Chiropractic is located in Vancouver, Washington.


fibromyalgia written on an ipadFibromyalgia is a condition that is marked by widespread pain in the musculoskeletal system and tenderness in localized regions of the body, which is accompanied by bouts of fatigue or tiredness. People who suffer from it are depressive and they socially isolate themselves from others.

Fibromyalgia is a very painful condition that affects many people in different ways. It is estimated that more than 12 million people have fibromyalgia in the United States.

Women are more likely to develop this disease than men because 75 to 90 percent of individuals who are diagnosed with this disorder are females. Women who develop this syndrome range between the ages of 25 and 60 and females are 10 times more likely to get this disease than men, but it does occur in men and children of all ethnic backgrounds on occasion as well. The etiology and epidemiology of this ailment is poorly defined and the incidence of it has not been determined using a large base of the population.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown and not fully understood. In fact, frequently, physicians have a hard time diagnosing this disease. The causes of it tend to involve many different factors, including genetics, infections, physical, and emotional trauma. One main factor is that the prevalence of fibromyalgia increases with age. It is believed that repeated nerve stimulations in the brain cause this disease to change. An abnormal increase in certain chemicals inside of the brain sends messages to the neurotransmitters, this signals the pain receptors and which then triggers pain in different areas of the body. The pain receptors in the brain seem to develop some type of memory of the pain and become more sensitive to these signals and may start overreacting to them.

If an individual is suffering from this condition, he or she will experience widespread pain, sleep and mood disturbances, abnormal processing of pain, lethargy, and mental anguish. Thus, it will cause a person to hurt all over his or her body. The symptoms of tiredness can become overwhelming and crippling. The muscles inside of the body may feel overworked even though the patient did not engage in exercise. People who have fibromyalgia can also experience twitching, burning sensations, and deep stabbing pains in the muscles as well. This may be accompanied by achiness and pain around the joints, hips, back, shoulders, and neck. Other symptoms include chronic headaches; abdominal pain; desiccation in the mouth, nose and eyes; hypersensitivity to heat and cold; incontinence; irritable bowel syndrome; inability to concentrate; stiffness; and tingling in the hands and feet. Some doctors think that fibromyalgia is linked to other osteoarthritis diseases.

The prevalence of fibromyalgia in children has been gaining more attention over the years. Many pediatric rheumatologists treat children who are diagnosed with this painful condition. Researchers believe that many juveniles who experience unexplainable and widespread pain are suffering from this disorder. Children who are treated in pediatric pain clinics either have an isolated condition of fibromyalgia or overlapping diseases. This syndrome is frequently seen in families among mothers, sisters, brothers, and their children.

Fibromyalgia Analysis and Treatment

In order to test for fibromyalgia, a physician will have to conduct a comprehensive physical examination and perform an assessment of your complete medical history. Routine blood tests may be used to help determine if a person has this condition. This blood test can indicate markers produced by blood cells in the immune system. Other blood tests your doctor may perform include a complete blood count, glucose, thyroid, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatoid factor, red blood cell sedimentation rate, calcium level and vitamin D level.

Unfortunately, there is no standard treatment or cure for this illness. A broad range of conventional and alternative treatments exist. They have been shown to be effective at treating the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia.

It is important for doctors to help their patients determine the right types of therapies to help the, improve their quality of life. These remedies may include combinations of medicines, exercises, chiropractic care, sleep and pain management, as well as mental health support.

Fibromyalgia and Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment is considered to be an alternative treatment option for fibromyalgia. It is a common complementary therapy for this disorder. Chiropractic care can help this condition because it can be used to treat pain in various pressure points on the body, such as the head, shoulders, back, and neck. It can often help reduce pain levels and augment ranges of motion in the cervical and lumbar regions.

The principles of chiropractic care are based off of the idea that the human body is a self-regulating organism. Therefore, spinal adjustments can help to reduce pain, increase healing, and boost mobility amid the spine and vertebrae. Chiropractors use their hands to make these subluxations with gentle pressure, stretching, movements, and high velocity thrusts. As a result, this helps reduce pain and alleviate ill health.

This alternative treatment option is becoming more popular among fibromyalgia patients because it may be a good way to treat pain and reduce stress. It can provide patients with short-term relief to help them quickly bounce back.

A chiropractor’s main objective is to solve pain and other related issues by correcting imbalances and misalignments in the skeletal system. Many people who suffer from this condition experience head, back, neck, and shoulder pain. In an effort to solve these problems, they seek assistance from a chiropractor.

Fibromyalgia FAQ

How can I deal with the common symptoms of fibromyalgia?

  • Reduce any stress in your life
  • Try to remove yourself from stressful situations
  • Eat a well-balanced diet
  • Seek mental support and pain management from your health care provider
  • Engage in proactive meditation and exercises
  • Try to rest more and take breaks throughout the day
  • Incorporate chiropractic care into your daily regimen of treatments

Summary

Remember that fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by widespread pain. It can affect a person’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The actual causes of this disease are unknown and not clearly understood by the medical community.

Regardless of your age, people who are experiencing any kind of pain need to be examined and treated by the most appropriate doctors. If you are suffering frequently from bouts of pain all over your body, call us  or fill out our online request for a free consultation. We can help you alleviate pain and restore your quality of life.