Fibromyalgia is an extremely painful condition that can interfere with your ability to live life the way you normally would. Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose so you may be living with the condition for a long while before you get an answer, and there is no cure. Standard medical treatments include medication such as antidepressants and painkillers as well as therapy like CBT and lifestyle changes. Chiropractic care can help you to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms drug-free so that your pain levels decrease and your ability to move gets better.
What is fibromyalgia?
People with fibromyalgia experience a range of symptoms, including:
• increased sensitivity to pain and muscle stiffness
• fatigue and difficulty sleeping
• "fibro-fog", which is an impairment in cognitive abilities such as memory or concentration
People with fibromyalgia are also more likely to experience other conditions, such as:
• tension headaches and migraines
• irritable bowel syndrome
• TMJ disorders
• anxiety and depression
The exact cause of fibromyalgia isn't known but scientists think that it's related to changes in the brain and spinal cord related to the way that pain chemicals move around the body. An increase in these chemicals can make you much more sensitive to pain than you usually would be (e.g. a touch on the arm could feel painful to you).
You are more likely to get fibromyalgia if you are a woman and if there is a family history of the condition. It can sometimes come on gradually or it can be triggered by an event, such as surgery, physical or psychological trauma, or a severe illness.
How chiropractic care can help fibromyalgia
Chiropractic care can't cure fibromyalgia but it can help to reduce your symptoms in a variety of ways. Studies have shown that chiropractic care can reduce pain levels in patients with fibromyalgia and increase their mobility.
Spinal adjustments can help to bring your spine (and spinal cord) back into alignment which can help your nerves to work as they should. Gentle massage and stretches can help to relax your tightened muscles, improve the flow of blood to them, and help to reduce your loss of mobility.
On top of that, chiropractors are trained in giving lifestyle advice that can help you to manage your condition. Exercise, for example, can really help in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms and your chiropractor will be able to devise an exercise program that works for you. They can also set up a nutrition plan so you can feed your body in a way that will help keep you healthy and happy and help you to get a better night's rest.
Chiropractic care is also an effective treatment for the conditions that are related to fibromyalgia, and easing those symptoms can help to reduce your overall pain and improve your quality of life.
Living with fibromyalgia can be extremely difficult and it can have a knock-on effect in all areas of your life. Chiropractic care can help to reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia so that you can live with less pain and with more movement so that you can enjoy life again.
Palmercare Chiropractic Colleyville
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