According to the CDC, fibromyalgia is a condition that affects around 2% of the adult population, or approximately 4 million US adults. It causes chronic pain, among other symptoms, and it is a real diagnostic nightmare for medical professionals, as symptoms overlap with many other conditions.
To minimize the pain, doctors often use pain medications. However, some people have turned to chiropractors for help. So, can chiropractors really alleviate the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia?
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain everywhere in the body. The doctors and researchers are not entirely sure what causes it, but they believe that it has something to do with the brain’s way of processing pain. It results in pain amplification, which is why it is felt all over the body.
This condition can develop slowly over time or be triggered by a physical or psychological traumatic event such as surgery, infection, or car accident.
Fibromyalgia tends to run in families, which points to the genetic background of this condition. It is also more common in women than in men. In addition, fibromyalgia is often accompanied by other conditions such as anxiety, depression, migraines, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, cervical spinal stenosis, and others.
What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Chronic pain
- Fatigue
- Mood swings
- Excessive sleepiness or insomnia
- Brain fog
- Depression
- Headaches
- Joint stiffness
How Chiropractic Care Can Help People with Fibromyalgia
Chiropractic care highlights the body’s ability to heal itself. The main goal is to restore balance and allow the body to repair and regenerate, eliminating the symptoms and pain.
Because fibromyalgia has no known cause and official treatment plan, many doctors employ traditional and alternative approaches to alleviating symptoms. Chiropractic care is one of the most popular options.
Chiropractic care has several benefits for people with fibromyalgia. Here is how it can help:
It Reduces Pain Levels
Chronic pain is what makes people with fibromyalgia seek help, and chiropractors have many treatment modalities that successfully reduce or eliminate pain. The most common approaches include chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, physical therapy, regenerative practices, lifestyle recommendations, and nutritional counseling.
It Improves Sleep
Approaches such as massage therapy can reduce pain, but they have other benefits as well. Massage promotes better circulation, lowers blood pressure, and enables deep relaxation. That leads to better sleep, which is vital for fibromyalgia patients, as they often face sleep problems.
It Increases Range of Motion
Chiropractic care reduces joint and muscle stiffness, which are common, especially in the morning. This improvement is slow, so it usually takes several treatments to experience significant results.
It Promotes Well-Being
Patients with chronic pain conditions often feel hopeless. Chiropractic care reduces their symptoms, helps them get better sleep, improves their mood, and makes them feel in control again.
Chiropractic Care in Spring, Texas
If you or your loved one have fibromyalgia, don’t wait to get proper treatment. Dr. Scott Bolz and his team at Spring Chiropractic can help you alleviate the symptoms and take control of your life. Schedule an appointment and learn about your treatment options today.