Treatment for Fibromyalgia: 43% Say they Prefer Alternative Therapies

A national survey of US Women with fibromyalgia revealed that 43% of them prefer treatment that is alternative in nature: chiropractic, massage, meditation and acupuncture.

In this blog we have talked a few times about the fibromyalgia. Most often it affects women, affecting 6-12 million americans. The condition can cause a multitude of symptoms such as neck pain, lower back pain, headaches, and leg cramps. Patients often have chronic widespread pain with particular tender points on the body. This leads to decreased physical function on a daily basis.

Treatment can be more towards the medical route or the more alternative route: The Medical route involves pain medications, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, anti-depressants and other medications. More and more patients are looking for solutions that do not involve drugs. Medications can affect a person’s mood, emotions, and ability to function on a daily basis. Worse, they can also negatively affect their ability to work or study.

According to Altmd.com, “current research suggests that fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system. People with fibromyalgia appear to have abnormalities in the chemical compounds (neurotransmitters) and transmit nerve impulses. Studies have also shown that on average, these patients have four times more nerve growth factor. This suggests that fibromyalgia is a issue that involves the increased hypersensitivity of the central nervous system.

Because of this hypersensitivity, using chiropractic as a therapy makes perfect sense. Chiropractic’s basis comes from the fact that an individuals health is controlled by the the state of ones central nervous system. A chiropractic adjustment has a major role in aligning the spine thus affecting the central nervous system ultimately.

This particular survey was conducted by WE FEEL (Women expressing fibromyalgia’s Effects their Everyday lives).

Additional Reading Resources

• Do I have fibromyalgia?
  
• What Does It Mean to Have Fibromyalgia?
  
• Dr.Oz Talks about Prescription Pain medication
  
• Glastonbury Chiropractor helps fibromyalgia patients with neck pain, headaches, low back pain and more
  
• Understanding why diet and exercise are an important factor in healing fibromyalgia
  

The Glastonbury Chiropractor is located in central Connecticut- CT Spine and Disc Center specializes in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call our chiropractic office at 860-633-8756 to schedule an appointment and to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression

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What Does It Mean To Have FibroMyalgia?

Today’s blog post comes from Dr. Bellinger’s November Newsletter.

At my Glastonbury CT office, I often see patients who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is not a condition that you can say has a specific cause with a clear origin and means of diagnosis. It is one of those conditions that are obscure and can only be diagnosed by eliminating other, more common conditions. Fibromyalgia is one of those conditions where the degree of pain and disability can be profound and life quality interrupting, yet all the tests come back negative and there are no other conditions to explain the collection of symptoms. It is at that point when the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is typically made.

Fibromyalgia is typically a chronic (symptoms have been present for at least 3 months) condition where the patient complains of widespread, generalized muscle, ligament and tendon pain accompanied with fatigue and multiple tender points on the body that hurt with only light pressure. To be considered “widespread,” it usually affects both sides of the body and is both above and below the waist. It occurs in approximately 2% of the population in the US and women are 3-4 times more likely to develop fibromyalgia. The risk of fibromyalgia increases with age and can be secondary to other physical or emotional trauma, or it can occur all by itself. No obvious pattern usually exists as signs and symptoms can vary depending on weather, stress, physical activity, and even the time of day.

Sleep quality is an issue that seems well agreed upon as regardless of the number of hours in bed, the deep, restorative stages of sleep are seldom reached. Other sleep disorders frequently associated with fibromyalgia include sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.. “central sensitization”. This is basically a low threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to the incoming pain signals. Certain chemical (neurotransmitters) changes in the brain have been identified resulting is hypersensitivity creating an overreaction to pain signals.

The American College of Rheumatology has established two diagnostic criteria that include

1. widespread pain lasting at least 3 months
2. at least 11 out of 18 positive tender points using just enough pressure to whiten the fingernail bed.

What are these 18 tender points that have been identified?

Tender Points seen in Fibromyalgia patients

1. Lower neck in front (2)
   
2. Edge of upper breast bone (2)
   
3. 2 cms below side bone at elbow (2)
   
4. Just above knee on inside (2)
   
5. Attachment of neck muscles at the base of the skull (2)
   
6. Midway between neck and shoulder (2)
   
7. Muscle over upper inner shoulder (2)
   
8. Upper outer buttock (2)
   
9. Hip bone (2)
   

There are no direct blood tests to confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia but other conditions can affect or cause Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed with blood testing. These include:

• thyroid disease (thyroid function blood tests)
• inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid (ESR),
• complete blood count to assess anemia and infection.
  
  
  
  At Ct Spine and Disc Center in Glastonbury CT, we take pride in providing quality, evidence-based care and appreciate the opportunity to do so when patients choose our clinic for their chiropractic care. We realize that there are many healthcare options available. If you, a friend or family member require care for fibromyalgia, we would be honored to offer our chiropractic services.
  
  Additional Reading Resources:
  
  
  • Dr.Oz talks about Prescription pain medications
    
  • Products for Pain Relief at home
    
  • What tests will my Dr do to Help with my back Pain?
    
  • Natural Cure for Fibromyalgia
    
  • Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
    
  
  
  
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