Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is becoming quite common. There was one point, not long ago, where people scoffed at the idea of fibromyalgia, claiming it was all in the person’s mind. Today it is recognized as an actual condition that affects up to 7% of the population in the USA. It is seen more often in women. In fact, ten times as many females have fibromyalgia as males.
How does someone know if they have fibromyalgia? It can be tough to diagnose. Some common symptoms to look for are:
- Widespread, chronic pain all over the body
- Reoccurring headaches
- Extreme fatigue accompanied by problems sleeping
- Brain fog (problems concentrating, feeling confused)
- Irritable bowel syndrome and bladder problems
The massive amount and variety of symptoms make it difficult for doctors to diagnose. Without an actual cause that can be confirmed, blood tests prove to be ineffective. It has been noted that the blood can show whether or not the immune system is working properly. This can indicate fibromyalgia. But, a diagnosis is only one step in finding a treatment that works.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia download our free e-book by clicking the image below.
There are very few treatment options that the medical field can offer that work for everyone. Or they may work for a short time but are not long-lasting. One field of chiropractic care that is seeing success is that of upper cervical chiropractic. We focus our attention on finding out, first of all, whether or not the C1 or C2 vertebrae are out of alignment. These are called the atlas and the axis, respectively. Research has shown that when these bones are out of alignment they can hinder the function of the immune system.
Once it is determined that a patient does have a misalignment that may be causing their fibromyalgia symptoms, we begin a treatment plan. Using the NUCCA technique, we realign the atlas or axis back into its original position. When this is corrected, healing can occur. The immune system can start to function at a proper level and symptoms of fibromyalgia may lessen or even disappear totally.
References:
- Clauw DJ. Fibromyalgia: an overview. Am J Med. 2009; 122(12A): S3-S13.
- Sugimoto C, Konno T, Wakao R, Fujita H, Fujita H, et al. (2015) Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cell Is a Potential Marker to Distinguish Fibromyalgia Syndrome from Arthritis. PLoS ONE 10(4): e0121124.
- Kent C. Models of vertebral subluxation: a review. J Vertebral Subluxation Res. 1996;1:11–17. 10.
- Feeley-Collins K, Grostic JD, Hightower BC, Pfleger B, Selano JL. “The effects of specific upper cervical adjustments on the CD4 counts of HIV positive patients.” Chiropractic Research Journal 1994;3(1):32.
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