Fibromyalgia is a
condition with no known medical cure. It is characterized by chronic and
debilitating pain all over the body, and heightened pain under pressure. Its symptoms can cause patients to suffer from
widespread pain, poor sleep, chronic tiredness and even depression. The causes
of fibromyalgia are unknown. Some theories cite that the patient’s low pain
threshold may be attributed to increased sensitivity in the brain to pain
signals.
[1] Other possible causes could be a genetic predisposition
[2];
stress; the disruption of normal dopamine related neurotransmission
[3];
abnormal serotonin levels
[4] and deficient growth hormone secretion
[5]. While
there is currently no cure for the condition, its symptoms can be alleviated by
chiropractic treatment.
Chiropractic treatment uses manipulation, which is a
technique involving short and quick thrusts to the vertebrae in the spine to
shift vertebrae back into their correct position. The treatment found in chiropractic care is
based on the idea that illnesses and pain in the body arise from misalignments
in the body’s skeletal structure. In order for the body to function healthily,
the spine and the skeletal structure need to be set in the correct position -
otherwise problems like chronic pain can arise.
Fibromyalgia causes numerous, tender points to occur all
over the body, including back and neck pain and leg cramps. As a result of
these symptoms, sufferers of fibromyalgia have sought treatment from
chiropractors. Because the adjustments made during treatment help to restore
the posture of the skeletal system, many sufferers find that treatment can help
to reduce a significant amount of pain. Some fibromyalgia sufferers experience
a condition known as cervical spinal stenosis, which results in compression of
the spine’s meninges, which are the coverings of the upper spine. This can
result in debilitating pain all over the body. A chiropractor may be able to
help with cervical spinal stenosis by adjusting the spine around the head and
neck, releasing this compression and eliminating the symptoms attributed to
it.
The effectiveness of chiropractic care has been studied in
sufferers of fibromyalgia [6], where patients were asked which method of
treatment, medical or alternative, helped the best with their condition. The
majority voted for chiropractic treatment. In addition, the effectiveness was
tested by using spinal manipulation to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, and after
15 treatments, results concluded that patients had reduced fatigue and pain as
well as improved sleep quality.
While fibromyalgia sufferers continue to look for a cure, it
is great to know that there are ways to alleviate the symptoms and live a more
normal life. If you or someone you know suffers from undiagnosed chronic pain
or fibromyalgia, please share this article with them and encourage them to get
a chiropractic consultation.
About the Author:
Dr. Matt Ramirez graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Human Biology in 2004 and received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2006. He specializes in auto injury recovery and rehabilitation and has enhanced and improved thousands of lives as well as treated people of all ages over the years. He is also an expert in health and wellness, massage therapy, fibromyalgia, chiropractic care, and more...
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