Can Chiropractic Treatment Relieve the Pain of Fibromyalgia?

Anyone who suffers from fibromyalgia knows it can be a frustrating and debilitating condition. It is a disorder which occurs primarily in middle-aged women. People who have rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.

“Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety.” U.S. National Library of Medicine

Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, it is often preceded by a triggering event, such as an infection, physical trauma or another disorder, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and hypothyroidism. Patients often have an increase in nerve growth factor and other pain-related chemical transmitters, suggesting fibromyalgia is a hypersensitivity disorder of the central nervous system. Chiropractic care has been found to be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia because chiropractors focus on performing spinal manipulation techniques to correct problems caused by spinal misalignment.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

Because fibromyalgia affects individual patients in a variety of ways, it may take years of pain and examinations before the condition is properly diagnosed.

A chiropractor will begin by taking a complete health history, before performing a physical assessment. The chiropractor will then assess the patient’s spinal alignment, palpate muscles, and test pressure points which are much more sensitive to pain in people with fibromyalgia.

Chiropractic Treatment for Fibromyalgia

The chiropractor will make adjustments to the neck and spine based on the general and tender point evaluations, with the goal of correcting misalignment of the spine, decreasing subluxations, and helping to balance the nervous system. Once the spine is correctly aligned, the pain should be reduced or ceased completely. Once the pain is taken care of, other symptoms tend to go away. The chiropractor may recommend changes in lifestyle and diet, and suggest other treatments to help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

If you are suffering from fibromyalgia and would like to know more about how chiropractic care can help relieve your pain, contact us for more information and to schedule an evaluation.