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Before anything else, what is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia (FM) is a condition known to affect the bones and muscles. Unfortunately, it is widely misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Fibromyalgia patients often deal with extensive joint and muscle pain combined with fatigue. More women have it than men. However, FM can happen to anyone, from all walks of life.
The term fibromyalgia came from the Latin word Fibro, which means fibrous tissue. Mya, comes from the Greek word, which means muscle. Aigos, a Greek word, means pain. Therefore, fibromyalgia literally means fibrous connective tissue and muscle pain. A chiropractor for fibromyalgia in Draper may have the solution you seek.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Doctors and researchers are still to identify what causes fibromyalgia. Many believe that it has something to do with how the spinal cord, brain, and brainstem process pain indicators from the nerves. You are at higher risk to develop FM if you qualify for any of the following:
- You are a woman
- You are between 20 to 55 years old
- You lack exercise
- You have parents or family members that experience fibromyalgia
- You have other pain-related conditions like chronic fatigue, arthritis, or lupus
- You experience anxiety or depression
- You have a history of emotional or physical abuse
- You suffer from a sleep disorder
- You have PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Increase sensitivity to pain is a primary symptom of fibromyalgia. However, most people that suffer from FM have other conditions as well. Some of these symptoms may also be present in those disorders.
Here’s a list of some of the common symptoms of FM. Note that even if you show signs of the following symptoms, it does not mean you have fibromyalgia. Only professionals can make a proper diagnosis.
- Extensive or widespread pain
- Fatigue
- Muscles spasms
- Sleep issues
- Morning stiffness
- Cognitive or memory impairments or fibro fog
- Anxiety
- Skin Issues
- Sensitivity to heat, cold, heat, and sound
- Visual trouble
- Feeling dizzy
- Nausea
- Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome
- Migraines or chronic headaches
- Problems with menstrual period
- Early signs of a cold
- Pelvic and urinary problems
- Belly pain, bloating, queasiness, constipation, and diarrhea
- Difficulty breathing
- Peeing more often
- Myofascial pain
- Dry mouth, eyes, and nose
- Weight gain
What Conditions Are Closely Associated with Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia can be the great imitator because it mimics various symptoms of other medical disorders. In other words, it is highly difficult to diagnose accurately. Listed here are conditions that share similarities to fibromyalgia:
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Cervical spinal stenosis
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome
In addition to the list above, individuals with fibromyalgia are also at a higher risk of acquiring other disorders that can make their symptoms worse, including the following:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cardiovascular problems
- Anemia
- Bruxism
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- IBS — Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Endometriosis
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
- Hypoglycemia
- Low cytokine levels
- Internal cystitis
- Nervous system disorders
- Osteoporosis
- Morton’s neuroma
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Seasonal affective disorder
- Sjogren’s syndrome
Can Trauma Cause Fibromyalgia?
There are many cases where patients with fibromyalgia reported an event that preceded their FM condition. In most of these people living with fibromyalgia, doctors found out that the primary cause of their FM involved a physical trauma to the neck or head.
Researchers found out that head and neck trauma most often affect changes in the brain. When this kind of trauma occurs, the brain produces an abnormal amount of neurotransmitters and stress hormones that signal pain receptors in the brain.
What Causes Neck and Head Trauma?
Any of these can cause overstretching or sprain of the ligaments that support the head, which in turn makes the upper cervical vertebrae move out of their normal position. Take note of the following incidents:
- Whiplash or concussion from a car accident
- Fall from high places
- High impact sports accidents
- Accidental fall from horseback riding
- Excessive improper training from contact sports
Neck and head trauma cause stress on the brainstem and sends wrong signals to the brain. If the brainstem informs the brain that it is experiencing pain when it is not true, then fibromyalgia follows. Fortunately, numerous studies have proven that upper cervical chiropractic care can help you.
A Fascinating Fibromyalgia Study
One particular study followed 23 cases of fibromyalgia accompanied by chronic fatigue syndrome. All 23 people in the study received upper cervical chiropractic care for at least a year. They had different symptoms that ranged from moderate to severe. As soon as stabilization of all the patients’ spines became successful, all 23 showed improvement in their symptoms.
A 55-year older woman, in particular, complained of neck, hip, foot, mid-back, and elbow pain and felt fatigues most of the time. She was an ex-gymnast. She experienced a fall when she was in her twenties. After numerous failed attempts to feel better, she began receiving care from an upper cervical chiropractor. Within 15 weeks, she witnessed her fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue symptoms disappear. She only saw her upper cervical chiropractor four times a year and since then, she remains symptom-free from both conditions.
Where to Get Upper Cervical Care for Fibromyalgia?
If you live in the USA, a chiropractor for fibromyalgia in Draper can help you. Upper cervical chiropractors use a unique and very gentle method to help the bones of the neck to realign without using force. They do not pop or crack the bones of the spine for positive results. Instead, they encourage the bones to realign better naturally.
Let Source Chiropractic and Wellness help you get rid of your fibromyalgia symptoms. Schedule an upper cervical chiropractic adjustment with us through our online form.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Cheney, call our Draper office at 385-331-7035. You can also click one of the buttons below.
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