Coping With Fibromyalgia: A Chiropractic Approach

Posted on January 27, 2023

Fibromyalgia is a common cause of chronic pain in adults. Statistics show that up to one in 50 Americans suffer from the disease. The issue with fibromyalgia is that it is difficult to diagnose. Treatment is also problematic since it is a chronic condition.

The only way that doctors can diagnose the condition is by weighing your pain. Lab tests of any kind cannot conclusively determine this illness. Chiropractors will need to know how long your pain lasts. They check if you are experiencing widespread pain for at least 90 days. However, the conclusion depends on whether you have an underlying condition or injury.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Medical experts have no clear idea what fibromyalgia is nor its cause. However, they believe that it affects how your brain interprets pain. The condition amplifies the discomfort throughout your body. You may experience symptoms like:
 

• Fatigue
   

• Mood Swings
   

• Depression
   

• Anxiety
   

• Tension headaches
   

• Memory loss or fibro fog
   

• Temporomandibular joint
   

• Excessive sleeping
   

• Headaches
   

• Fuzziness
   

• Irritable bowel syndrome
   

• Painful menstrual periods
   

• Sensitivity to temperature modulations

Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. It develops abruptly after severe physical trauma or psychological stress like surgery or infection. In some cases, it can develop slowly without any familiar triggers.

The good news is that chiropractors use several forms of treatment to manage the symptoms. These include:

Chiropractic Adjustments

Using this technique, your chiropractor attempts to realign your body. Doing this helps reestablish communication between your nervous system. The result is better processing of pain by your brain. 

One of the causes of fibromyalgia is the reception of faulty pain signals from your central nervous system. Chiropractic adjustments help deal with it.

Lifestyle Changes

Your chiropractor may recommend lifestyle adjustments to help manage fibromyalgia. These may include routine exercises, stretches, and a change of diet. If you spend many hours sitting, they may advise you to walk in intervals during the day. These recommendations vary depending on your lifestyle and daily activities.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy helps control this condition by focusing on what you can do physically instead of the symptoms. Fibromyalgia causes severe muscular pain that may limit your movement, making exercising unbearable.

The chiropractor will show you how to relieve pain and stiffness temporarily. They will also help you improve your range of motion and get stronger. The therapist may suggest a few changes, such as practicing proper posture to avert painful flare-ups.

Nutritional Recommendations

Chiropractors can recommend dietary changes for fibromyalgia patients. They may also recommend supplements since nutrition is vital to your physical well-being. Remember, eating can affect the psychological and physiological effects of this disease. Chiropractors refer to this approach as whole-body wellness, which includes other chiropractic treatments.

Results

Relief from fibromyalgia pain through chiropractic care does not occur overnight. You may experience a slight boost of energy after the first appointment. However, it may take several successive treatments before you return to your previous self. There are no substantial facts on the minimum number of sessions to achieve results. 

For more on coping with fibromyalgia through chiropractic care, visit Accident and Injury Chiropractic at our office in Tacoma, Washington. Call (253) 215-8350 to book an appointment today.