Fibromyalgia is still a little-understood illness and, unfortunately, many people—including some doctors—don’t recognize it as a “real” disease. However, those who live with fibromyalgia know the reality: pain, stiffness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping are all part of daily life.
Studies of brain changes and chronic pain are helping researchers better understand conditions like fibromyalgia. Research suggests that fibromyalgia is linked to the central nervous system (CNS) and may result from CNS dysfunction.
For example, A. Kuchinad and colleagues studied 10 women with fibromyalgia and compared them to 10 women without the condition. They found a reduction in brain tissue in the fibromyalgia group that was not seen in the controls. Additional studies have supported these findings. Other research has shown awake-like brain activity during sleep in fibromyalgia patients, contributing to the non-restorative sleep commonly experienced.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is another condition with skeptics. Like fibromyalgia, there is no definitive test for IBS. Diagnosis is typically made through exclusion—after ruling out all other illnesses. People with IBS experience pain, cramping, and diarrhea or constipation (or both).
Brain imaging in IBS patients has shown loss of brain tissue, with patterns similar to fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions.
A Common Underlying Cause
Frequently, an undetected head or neck injury affecting the brain may play a role in both fibromyalgia and IBS.
An upper neck misalignment can create pressure on the CNS at the level of the atlas (the top bone in the neck). Trauma or accidents can loosen the connective tissue that holds the spine together, allowing the spine to lock into a stressed position. The upper neck is especially vulnerable due to its mobility. When the top bone is misaligned, it can disrupt CNS function.
How Upper Cervical Care Helps
In our practice, we have seen hundreds of patients with upper neck misalignments, and it is frequently an underlying factor in conditions like fibromyalgia and IBS.
A common scenario:
- A person experiences a head or neck trauma early in life
- The trauma causes significant misalignment of the head and neck
- The misalignment places pressure on the brainstem
- As the pressure is corrected, the body begins the healing process
The longer the nervous system has been dysfunctional, the longer it may take to heal. Patients may eventually notice:
- Decreased pain and stiffness
- Improved sleep
- Increased energy
Patients with IBS often experience similar improvements. As the nervous system begins sending proper signals to the digestive system, digestion frequently normalizes.
Of course, this type of care does not help every patient, and nothing is 100% guaranteed. However, if you have a history of head or neck trauma prior to the onset of symptoms, NUCCA may offer a path to improvement.
Don’t Give Up Hope
There is a cause behind every effect in the body, and understanding that connection is the first step toward better health.
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Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/