Did you know that fibromyalgia, a chronic condition, is known to affect everyone in 50 Americans? The condition is characterized by widespread muscle pain all over the body. While it is mostly treated with medicines, chiropractic care is the best way to treat and manage fibromyalgia pain.
Often used to encourage overall wellness, chiropractic care involves the usage of hands to manipulate the spine and thus relieve you of pain. It is extremely beneficial for those suffering from back pain, neck pain, foot problems and conditions like fibromyalgia.
While the research regarding the impact of chiropractic care is still in its early phase, it is safe to say that the treatment can surely help release muscle stiffness and provide relief from the widespread muscle tenderness and pain.
So, let’s get down to what exactly fibromyalgia is and how a chiropractor can help you manage the pain without putting you at risk of any possible side effects.
A Glance at Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition where the patient experiences widespread musculoskeletal pain, in addition to other symptoms like sleep problems, chronic fatigue, mood swings and memory issues. While there is no such cause for the condition, it is widely believed that it amplifies the pain felt by the patient by changing the way the brain processes painful and nonpainful signals.
According to the research, it is believed that the condition can be developed after a physically traumatic event like surgery or infection. It can also develop due to psychological stress. However, in most cases, there is no triggering event for musculoskeletal pain.
Moreover, women are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia than men. People diagnosed with fibromyalgia may also be vulnerable to irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression.
The condition can be characterized by the following symptoms-
- Irritability
- Muscular pain all over the body
- Fatigue
- Problems in concentration, lower attention span and impaired ability to focus
The condition can co-exist with other ailments like-
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Chronic fatigue disorder
- Migraines
- Painful bladder syndrome
- Interstitial cystitis
- Joint disorders
- Postural tachycardia syndrome
How Can Chiropractic Care Help You Manage Fibromyalgia?
Several recent studies conclude that while this condition has no cure, non-invasive methods like chiropractic care can surely help you manage the pain.
Here’s how a chiropractor can help you manage this condition-
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic physicians use this technique to correct the misalignments in the body. The adjustments also help re-establish the nerve connectivity between the nervous system and the body. As a result, the brain is capable of processing pain accurately again.
Since false pain signals transmitted to the brain are widely believed to cause fibromyalgia, adjustments by chiropractors prove to be quite helpful. In addition, the technique minimizes the pain throughout the entire body.
Physical Therapy
The intensity of muscular pain associated with fibromyalgia is quite severe. As a result, the pain can lead to crippling inactivity, preventing one from moving or exercising for fear of aggravating it. To deal with this, chiropractors suggest physical therapy.
The thing is, muscle loss occurs when patients stop moving. As a result, the pain and condition become more severe. Physical therapy allows you to move your body and minimize pain simultaneously.
Lifestyle Adjustments
For people with fibromyalgia, chiropractors take a holistic approach to treatment. The doctor will also recommend specific lifestyle changes you can make to help you cope with the condition.
Your doctor will recommend you exercise regularly and find ways to control your pain without taking medications.
Those with desk jobs will be advised to walk frequently. In conclusion, your lifestyle and activity level will determine what lifestyle adjustments are recommended for you.
Summing Up
In addition to exercising regularly and taking physical therapies, you will also be recommended to take proper nutrition as it might help alleviate the pain symptoms.
Lastly, the method is entirely non-invasive and is less complicated than surgery. So, you would be at less risk of certain side effects and the need to rely on medications.
