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When you live with a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia, it can start to wear you down both physically and emotionally. Fibromyalgia presents an especially difficult road for some people since there is still a lot that remains to be understood about the condition. Diagnosis can be a long and arduous process since the condition shares many symptoms in common with other diseases that must first be ruled out. There are no specific tests that can detect fibromyalgia, so those who suspect that fibromyalgia can explain the pain and other symptoms that they’re experiencing may embark on a journey
Fibromyalgia sufferers live with chronic, widespread pain in the muscles and joints throughout the body. Fatigue, disordered sleep, and cognitive/memory issues are also prevalent.
Fibromyalgia – What it Is and What it Isn’t
The understanding of fibromyalgia has evolved over the years. It was first documented and described by physicians as early as the 1800s, and the understanding of the disease has grown a lot since that time. However, it’s not until recently that fibromyalgia has become more accepted. To dispel some of the myths and old thinking about it, here are a few known facts:
- It is not an autoimmune condition
- It is not an inflammation-based condition
- It is not arthritis
- It is not “all in a person’s head”
So, if fibromyalgia is NOT all of the above, then what is it?
Current research points to the involvement of the nervous system and how people with fibromyalgia perceive and process pain differently than those without the condition. This concept, referred to as central sensitization, is being explored as a potential component to fibromyalgia. With central sensitization, the nerves of the central nervous system become hypersensitive to painful stimuli, causing a heightened response to painful stimuli. Fibromyalgia sufferers can either experience extreme pain from something that might normally be mildly painful (a pinprick or paper cut for example) or might perceive pain from something that would not ordinarily be painful (such as a handshake).
Fibromyalgia Risk Factors
- Rheumatoid arthritis – rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation in the joints and can also affect the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and eyes. People with RA have an increased risk of also developing fibromyalgia.
- Lupus – also an autoimmune condition, those with lupus experience fatigue, skin lesions and rashes, joint pain and stiffness, and headaches. Like RA, lupus sufferers are also more likely to develop fibromyalgia as well.
- Gender – women are much more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia than men with as many as 90% of cases being female. The exact reasons for this gender discrepancy are not completely clear. Some gender-related factors might include different hormone balance and levels between men and women, differing reactions to stress, and differences in gene expression.
- Age – the most common age range for fibromyalgia diagnosis is between 35 and 45 years old. By the time of diagnosis, however, most fibromyalgia sufferers have had chronic pain and other symptoms for several years.
- Social or emotional stress – the onset of fibromyalgia can occur following an extremely stressful period, such as coping with a death or divorce, or from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to a traumatic event.
- Trauma or injury – oftentimes, injury can precede a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. A one-time trauma such as a motor vehicle accident, or repetitive use injury/wear and tear can trigger an initial flare-up of fibromyalgia. Because the injury may have happened months or even years before diagnosis, the connection may not be immediately apparent.
- Illness – the onset of fibromyalgia may arise following a viral illness that is thought to potentially trigger the condition.
- Obesity – carrying excess body weight may increase pain levels, fatigue, and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions.
- Genetics – if you have a close family member who has fibromyalgia, it is possible that you may be at a greater risk of also developing the condition. Genetics are involved in regulating the processing of pain and the regulation of pain signaling in the brain.
A Nervous System-Based Approach to Fibromyalgia Care
With the current understanding of fibromyalgia as a nervous system-based disorder, it would make sense to explore that system to ensure its optimal function. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a branch of chiropractic that focuses on the restoration of normal brain-body communication via the brainstem. The brainstem is the main hub, or switchboard, for signals traveling between the brain and the rest of the body, and it also plays a role in the transmission and processing of pain signals.
The vertebra that sits at the very top of the neck, called the atlas vertebra, surrounds and protects the brainstem. However, stresses and injuries can cause the atlas to misalign, irritating the nerves it should be protecting. This can also compromise normal blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow between the head and neck. This disturbance of normal nervous system function could be an underlying factor in fibromyalgia, and could certainly explain symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, and cognitive issues.
Our area of expertise at Source Chiropractic and Wellness is identifying and correcting these specific misalignments of the upper neck, or upper cervical spine. Upper cervical care is gentle and precise, which makes for a great fit for our fibromyalgia patients who may not tolerate a more forceful approach to chiropractic adjustments. Once the atlas is adjusted and normal neurological function returns over time, fibromyalgia sufferers may experience relief and resolution of their chronic pain and other symptoms. To find out if we can help you get back to living life at a higher standard, contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.
References:
https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/fibromyalgia
https://www.fibrocenter.com/understanding-fibromyalgia
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