Fibromyalgia

How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?

The diagnosis for this condition has even changed in recent years. Fibromyalgia used to be characterized by what are called tender points. Physicians would follow a chart along the body pressing on several different areas to see if a pain response was elicited by the patient. If the patient had tenderness or pain on 11 of the 18 points of the body that was enough to diagnose. Now, this is no longer the case, as physicians only ask if pain has been felt in four out of five areas which include the back of the head, upper chest, tops of the shoulders, hips, knees and out elbows. 

As of now, there is no specific test for determining if someone truly has fibromyalgia but it is merely an accumulation of pain symptoms. Medical doctors will typically send out blood tests to help rule out other possible diagnoses such as RA (Rheumatoid arthritis) or AS (Ankylosing spondylitis). In some events, neurological testing may be required to eliminate other disorders that could be creating the sources of pain.

What Can Be Done To Help Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

One of the more helpful ways to decrease symptoms in people affected with fibromyalgia is to ease joint pain. After conducting a thorough consultation, examination and x-rays, a chiropractor can perform an adjustment to help restore motion to the spine to alleviate pressure on the joints. This will allow for less stress on the spine and reduced tightness of the muscles. Another aspect of receiving an adjustment that is helpful to the body is increased blood flow.

When areas of the body are tight or sore a precise chiropractic adjustment can help to stimulate blood flow to the given areas which will promote self-healing within the body. Not only would this allow for a reduction of pain for fibromyalgia patients but it would also allow the body’s nervous system to have time to rest and recover. Typically, people with fibromyalgia are in a constant “fight or flight” type state because they feel constant pain. This setting does not let the body self-heal and recover because the stress hormone known as cortisol is constantly being delivered to the body. This results in consistent inflammation that is synonymous with fibromyalgia.

Chiropractic adjustments can also help deliver endorphins to the body which are your own natural pain killers. This can lead to not only feeling better but will reduce fatigue and depression as well. An adjustment can be even more effective than over the counter pain medication that only provides relief of minor symptoms for as long as the medication is taken. The risk of these over the counter medications long term are stomach discomfort and even ulcers if taken too often. Also, more serious pain medications can be addictive and are not a great or safe long-term solution for decreasing pain.  

Along with receiving chiropractic adjustments a known therapy to help alleviate pain associated with fibromyalgia is PEMF which stands for pulsed electromagnetic field. This alternative therapy works by stimulating the cells ability to heal. The human body is composed of trillions of cells and for those who have fibromyalgia the cells’ normal charge is greatly diminished. This charge is needed to promote self-healing within the body to help combat symptoms of pain.

The PEMF therapy will deliver a charge to the cells within the body and help them to boost the nervous system. This type of therapy has been shown to be very effective is not only reducing chronic pain but also in improving mood and sleep. Reduction of anxiety and increasing better sleep patterns are two important factors in helping people with fibromyalgia.

The best way to combat symptoms of fibromyalgia is to be proactive and consistent. No one who is overweight managed to shed the pounds just by going to the gym once in a while and chiropractic is no different. Going to see your chiropractor on a routine basis is the best way to see the results that you want in your body and the same can be said with those who have fibromyalgia.

A chiropractor can also help by providing a variety of stretches and exercises to help keep the body moving and continue to fix muscle imbalances that can trigger fibromyalgia symptoms. Other natural alternatives for people affected with fibromyalgia include physical therapy, tai chi, yoga, biofeedback and acupuncture. It is best to try out and see what combination of therapies works for you because no two people are alike. The most difficult part of the entire process is getting started but your chiropractor will put his or her best foot forward in helping you find that first step.