Fibromyalgia

For those who suffer the terrible pain of fibromyalgia, a trip to the chiropractor can bring significant relief from the pain.  Chiropractic care and the stress and pain relief it offers is becoming popular among fibromyalgia patients.  The pain relief comes quickly from chiropractic treatment and can be very effective in the fight against fibromyalgia.  

Chiropractic care is becoming increasingly popular in America and many people are turning to the chiropractor before going to a medical doctor.  The theory that is the foundation of chiropractic care is that pain is caused by a misalignment in the spine, causing pinched nerves that relate to the area of the body that is not functioning properly.  The chiropractor sees the body as a connected system that works as a whole and if part of the whole is out of balance, it creates problems in the rest of the body.  Chronic pain is one of the symptoms of having a part of the spine out of balance. 

Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes the body to have numerous tender points at multiple locations.  Medical doctors try to alleviate the pain through pain medication, but through chiropractic care, many fibromyalgia patients feel they are treating the foundational problem rather than the symptoms.  

Fibromyalgia patients often have a condition called upper cervical spinal stenosis.  The coverings of the upper spine become compressed and this is what causes the terrible pain.  By having the head and neck adjusted by the chiropractor, this compressing is released and the pain is diminished.  In 1985 a study of fibromyalgia patients found that chiropractic care rated high in pain relief.  Most fibromyalgia patients experience relief in as few as fifteen adjustments.  

There are two main categories of chiropractors.  A straight chiropractor focuses on simply using spinal and joint manipulations to restore the function of the body.  A newer brand of chiropractor is called a mixer.  A mixer combines traditional chiropractic techniques along with holistic practices.  These doctors will often used diet, exercise and massage to help their patients.  More and more chiropractors are turning to this type of treatment as it treats the entire person.  The most popular treatment is still manipulation.  

Manipulation is the adjusting of the spine and neck, using quick thrusts on the vertebra to shift them back into the proper position.  There is little pain associated with manipulation, provided the patient is not already experiencing pain in the joint.  The popping that is heard when someone receives an adjustment is the release of built up gas in the joint.  The relief is almost immediate.  

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, it is important to find a chiropractor that has practice with patients that have your condition.  Chiropractors should not claim to be able to cure the disease, but fibromyalgia patients can find tremendous relief through chiropractic treatment.  Check out the office before you commit to treatment.  Be sure to find a qualified doctor that you are comfortable with.  Continue your treatments as directed and look forward to the relief that they offer!