Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Imagine having to live with fatigue pain all the time.  Imagine radiating, gnawing, shooting, and burning pain in your muscles and joints.  This is fibromyalgia.  Other symptoms might include tender points on your neck, shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back, thighs, knees, elbows, and buttocks. You might have increased sensitivity to pain, heat, cold, touch, and bright lights.

For some people, fibromyalgia is annoying, but for others, it is disabling. 



map of fibromyalgia symptoms Portland

Fibromyalgia Treatment in Portland

The medical system is at a loss when treating fibromyalgia.  Drugs that are given to fight the pain only mask the symptoms temporarily and come with serious side effects.  

I remember the first patient I treated with fibromyalgia in 2014.  She was seeking care for neck pain and headaches.  She didn’t think that chiropractic could help with fibromyalgia, so she didn’t tell me that she had that diagnosis.  After a few weeks of treatment, her headaches resolved, and SO DID HER FIBROMYALGIA. She was so grateful and surprised that chiropractic could help fibromyalgia. 

Typical treatment for fibromyalgia in our office includes:

  • Full body adjustments (head to toes)
  • Light muscle work
  • Deep trigger point myofascial release
  • Home exercise recommendations/modifications

Research

In one study, 23 patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome received chiropractic care. Under care, all 23 patients reported improvement and all of them maintained their improvements after one year of follow-up.  Every patient reported that they were able to resume their normal activities including full-time work. The researchers wrote, “Improvement in symptoms of 92-100% was achieved in both these syndromes (fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome).”

Another study showed 60% of patients having at least a 50% reduction in pain.  They also showed improvement in sleep and less fatigue.  These improvements continued at the one month follow up.

Another study compared chiropractic care to antidepressant medication and exercise.  Chiropractic care helped 45.9% of patients.  Antidepressants helped 36.3%.  Exercise helped 31.8%. 



References

Amalu WC. Upper cervical management of primary fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome cases.  Today’s Chiropractic. May/June 2000;76-86.

Hain S, Hain F. Combined ischemic compression and spinal manipulation in the treatment of fibromyalgia: a preliminary estimate of dose efficacy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2000; 23(4):225-230.

Wolfe F. The clinical syndrome of fibrositis.  The American Journal of Medicine. 1986;81(suppl 3A):7-14