Experts estimate that 3 million to 6 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia. An astonishing 80% of these people are women. Some of the risks factors are: being a woman between the ages of 20 to 50 and also having a rheumatoid disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Sjogren’s syndrome. Fibromyalgia also seems to run in families, so a gene may be at least partly responsible for this condition.
With all the technology available in today’s world, experts do not know the exact cause of fibromyalgia. There are theories about possible causes or triggers including inadequate sleep, suffering an injury, or a physical or emotional trauma that affects the brain, spine and nerves. Some experts believe that a viral or bacterial infection plays a part.
Abnormal production of pain-related chemicals in the nervous system also contributes to the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It’s thought that any one of these factors may “bring on” the symptoms of fibromyalgia in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition.
The most common symptoms:
• Chronic pain throughout the body
• Burning, numbness and tingling
• Sleep disorders
• Tenderness on, or around the neck, hips, elbows, thighs and knees
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
• Facial Pain
• Anxiety
• Jaw Pain (TMJ)
• Irritable Bowel
• Memory Loss
• Tension or Migraine Headaches
• High sensitivity to foods and medication (allergic type reaction)
• Minimal tolerance to heat and cold
• High sensitivity to bright lights and sounds
• Hair loss
(This is a list of common symptoms, other symptoms may occur.)
Fibromyalgia basically means pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The pain occurs in the areas where the muscles attach to the bone or ligaments and is similar to arthritis pain. Since the joints are not affected, they will not deteriorate or become deformed as with arthritic conditions.
Typically the pain originates in one area, usually the neck and shoulders, and then radiates out from there. Most patients report feeling some pain all the time, and many describe it as being “exhausting”. Weather changes, the time of day, physical activity, and stressful events are all factors in the different levels of pain one suffers with from day to day. The pain has been described as stiffness, burning, stabbing, sudden, radiating, and aching. The pain is often more intense after disturbed sleep, which is a common complaint among sufferers.
One of the major complaints is fatigue, some patients report this as more debilitating as the pain. Fatigue and sleep disturbances are, in fact, almost universal in patients with fibromyalgia. Some experts believe that without these symptoms, physicians should seek a diagnosis other than fibromyalgia.
People not suffering from fibromyalgia can't begin to understand this disease. Friends and family members sometimes think that a person is just lazy or it’s all in their head. How can a person look so normal and feel so bad? To feel so tired all the time and to always be in pain, just imagine how that must feel. At this time there is no known cure, but your chiropractor can be very helpful in treating fibromyalgia.
Patients must make changes in their lives including: diet (nutrition is very important), exercise, stretching, spinal adjustments, relieving stress, sleep patterns, etc. Chiropractors understand the effects fibromyalgia brings with it and they have the knowledge, training, and experience to help their patients not only deal with, but help with regaining their lives and living life again.
Although the medical profession is beginning to finally recognize fibromyalgia, many physicians are still denying that fibromyalgia even exists. Treatment must begin with the patient having the will to make changes in their lifestyle. Secondly, the patient must seek out professional help; this is where chiropractic care enters the picture. Most medical doctors will treat patients by giving them drugs, and if one drug doesn’t work, they try another and send the patient on their way. This is a very complicated and debilitating disease, each case is different and must be treated as so.
Knowledge, understanding, and compassion is all part of the chiropractic treatment. If you are suffering from, or believe you have the symptoms of fibromyalgia, find a chiropractor and begin natural treatments today. You’ll be glad you did.
