If you experience widespread pain throughout your musculoskeletal system without a known cause, you may be in need of a fibromyalgia treatment and diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is a common pain disorder that affects women more often than men, is found in 2-4 percent of the US population and most often starts during a person’s middle ages.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder in which the body experiences widespread pain. The pain typically affects the person’s muscles, tendons and ligaments and is often most prominent around the neck and shoulders, back, knees and elbows. The affected areas may even be tender to the touch. While the pain is usually body-wide, the intensity may not be consistent and unexpected instead.
Fibromyalgia is a neurologic health problem rather than an autoimmune disorder, even though many people do not realize this. This condition can get worse by too much or too little physical activity, stress, lack of sleep or depression. Fibromyalgia and depression are often correlated. It is also typically accompanied by fatigue, malaise, anxiety and insomnia. A sedentary life is also a risk factor.
Fibromyalgia treatment
There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, but a variety of treatment options are available. One of the most effective treatment options is exercising. Exercise in combination with pain relievers typically reduces symptoms. Tai Chi, yoga and low impact cardio are the best forms of exercise for the fibromyalgia patient. Yoga is one of the best options to consider because it increases blood flow in the body, provides relief of tense muscles, stretches and realigns the body while also allowing the practitioner to meditate and de-stress.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is another effective measure against fibromyalgia symptoms. It addresses how thoughts and behaviors affect pain. In correlation, recognizing the triggers such as anxiety or stress and understanding how they affect symptoms can help prepare the patient mentally, reducing the reaction to the symptoms.
What you need to know
Chiropractic treatment and acupuncture are two other incredibly useful treatment options for fibromyalgia symptoms. Both of these options are low-risk, drug-free treatments for fibromyalgia patients who wish to avoid the use of medication. Upper cervical spinal stenosis is a condition in which the bone or soft tissues in the upper portion of the spine are displaced and cause compression against the spinal cord. This condition often works in association with fibromyalgia.
During a chiropractic treatment, we will adjust and realign these vertebrae to reduce pain in the body. Acupuncture, which increases blood flow within the body, may provide pain relief and reduce tension. Acupuncture can also lead to less stiffness. If these treatment options are not as effective as the patient desires, medication may be another option.
The treatment above can also work in combination with medication. Antidepressants and anti-epileptics are also common pain inhibitors that we may prescribe. Sleep medication and muscle relaxants are other options to consider as they may treat other disorders associated with fibromyalgia.
Visit our office
To learn more about receiving a fibromyalgia diagnosis and the best form of fibromyalgia treatment for you, schedule an appointment with our office today.