Fibromyalgia and Chiropractic Care
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 around three to five percent of the American population, predominantly women
Fibromyalgia and Chiropractic Care
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 around three to five percent of the American population, predominantly women.
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.
Finding a Cause 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 various factors cause the disorder, namely:
Genetics Infections Physical or emotional trauma/stress
The Chiropractic Connection As chiropractors, one of our focuses in overall health and well-being is stress. Subluxations, 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 arise. 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."
Resistance Training + Chiropractic Care 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.
In closing: There is an urgent problem facing our community where families are being compromised due to misinformation about health. Americans have never been as sick, diseased, or symptomatic as we are today. There are an endless amount of people who are suffering, who have been through the ringer and have tried anything and everything to no avail.
Schedule an appointment to talk to our doctor about how chiropractic
may be able to help you take your health to the next level.