About 2-8% of the population suffers from this fibromyalgia and the cause is not yet known. The good news? It can be effectively managed and treated. If you regularly suffer from fibromyalgia, Connected Chiropractic’s board-certified chiropractic care in Johnstown, CO can provide non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical relief from fibromyalgia symptoms.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that occurs more often in females than males. However, anyone can suffer from it…whether you are male or female, child, or adult, or if you are any ethnicity or race. Many who are diagnosed with this syndrome experience other issues in unison with the usual pain, tenderness, tiredness, and irregular sleep. These include irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, certain types of joint pain, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and several other pain syndromes. Worst of all, the symptoms are difficult to diagnose with traditional testing and can be related to things like depression and anxiety.

According to the Fibromyalgia Network¹, patients must experience two things to meet the criteria for a medical diagnosis of the syndrome.

• They must experience widespread pain for a minimum of three months in all four quadrants of the body.
• They must have a minimum of 11 tender spots out of the full 18. We will review this further down.

Based on the research, it is not rare as it affects 2-8% of the population. Even though approximately 10% of the adult population in Western Countries experience unexplained pain throughout the body, only half are diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

At Connected Chiropractic, we understand that Fibromyalgia can be worsened by causes related to the 3 T’s: traumas, toxins, and thoughts.

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases² states that the cause of fibromyalgia has not been identified. What they have discovered is that people suffering from this disease are more receptive to pain and feel it when others do not. Other research and studies have evidence that people with fibromyalgia have an issue with the signaling between neurons in their nervous systems. This just means that their brains and bodies are not properly communicating how to deal with an action occurring in their pain receptors. This could also be what causes the extra issues of fatigue, lack of sleep, and cognitive problems.

While fibromyalgia tends to be genetic, environmental factors have been known to increase the likelihood of someone developing the syndrome. Some triggers include rheumatoid arthritis, mood disorders, other pain causing conditions, and mental health problems.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

There are three main symptoms of fibromyalgia. Number one is widespread, chronic pain that occurs throughout the entire body or at multiple tender points. The pain often occurs in the head, arms, chest, abdomen, back, buttocks, and legs. It is usually categorized as a burning, throbbing, or aching pain. The pain can often result in hyperalgesia, or enhanced sensitivity to pain.

More specifically, there are nine tender points that are used to diagnose fibromyalgia:

• Front neck area
• Front chest area
• Elbow area
• Knee area
• Back of the neck
• Back of the shoulder
• Shoulder blade area
• Upper-outer area of the buttocks
• Rear hip area

Number two is chronic fatigue…basically people always feel tired. Number three is irregular or disrupted sleep, which will do nothing but intensify the fatigue.

While these are the main three symptoms, it can cause additional symptoms within the body. These include:

• irritable bowel (e.g., diarrhea, constipation, etc.)
• chronic headaches (tension-type or migraines)
• jaw pain (including TMJ dysfunction)
• cognitive or memory impairment
• post-exertional malaise and muscle pain
• morning stiffness (waking up stiff and achy)
• menstrual cramping
• numbness and tingling sensations
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• skin and chemical sensitivities

How can Chiropractic Care Provide Relief?

Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system). It also focuses on how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. It is founded upon the principle that the body’s innate healing power is affected by and integrated through the nervous system. Based on these principles, chiropractic care can provide relief in many ways if you are experiencing fibromyalgia pain and symptoms.

Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine and encourage the nerve pathways to improve. This will start to correct the misfiring occurring in the neurons causing the heightened sensitivity to pain. Additionally, adjustments help improve sleep patterns. This will decrease sleep irregularity and help sufferers feel more rested. More sleep also allows the body to have the time it needs to heal. Adjustments also encourage better cognitive function. By realigning the upper cervical spine (or neck), Connected Chiropractic’s board-certified chiropractor is reducing interference within the brain stem. Poor function of the brain stem can be a critical factor that increases the likelihood of someone developing fibromyalgia.

Massage Therapy is another tool that we utilize in the office to help with fibromyalgia. It reduces muscle tension, stiffness in the body, and joint pain. It also helps regulate digestion and encourages sleep.

Exercise Therapy and Education is also a benefit our office provides. The use of light aerobic exercise can help you avoid muscle stiffness and joint pain when properly incorporated into you daily routine. Good stretches are also recommended!

Supplements could also be used to help ease fibromyalgia systems. A variety can be used to improve sleep, help with depression, and decrease inflammation. Our skilled chiropractor can make recommendations on what supplements and vitamins can work best for you.

Our goal at Connected Chiropractic is to use multiple methods to help restore and preserve your optimal health. We will make a care plan that fits your individual needs, and pair well with what is already working, to improve your daily life.

Don’t live with the pain of fibromyalgia another day. Call our office to get started on your restorative path to optimal health, or schedule online today by clicking on “Schedule Healing Now” below!

Schedule Fibromyalgia Healing Now…

¹Fibromyalgia Network. (2010). Diagnosis. Retrieved from https://www.fmnetnews.com/fibro-basics/diagnosis

²National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2021, June). Fibromyalgia:
OVERVIEW, SYMPTOMS, & CAUSES. Retrieved from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/fibromyalgia