An estimated 5 million adults in the United States have fibromyalgia, with 80-90% being women.  If you've recently received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, chances are it's been a long road of doctor's visits, tests, and waiting.  Diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult.  Its symptoms – which can include widespread pain, extreme fatigue, a decreased pain threshold, anxiety, and depression – overlap so many other common conditions that need to be ruled out before a fibromyalgia diagnosis can be made.  This is complicated by the fact that there is no one simple, definitive test.  Most people go from doctor to doctor in search of answers before finally figuring out what is causing their condition.

The Road to Relief

Generally speaking, fibromyalgia treatments rely on some combination of medication and self-care.  As complicated as fibromyalgia is to diagnose, it can be equally as difficult to manage.  The goal of most medications is to reduce pain and improve sleep.  Antidepressants may also be prescribed.  Self-care recommendations often include stress reducing techniques, healthy eating, and regular, gentle exercise such as swimming or walking.

Fibromyalgia and Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Each day, more is being understood about fibromyalgia.  One place of agreement amongst scientists and researchers is that people with fibromyalgia have a heightened sensitivity to pain.  A stimulus that would not ordinarily be painful can be perceived by the brain of someone with fibromyalgia as extremely painful.  This is something we look closely at in our upper cervical chiropractic practice.  We focus on an area of the body's central nervous system called the brainstem which is responsible for relaying signals between the brain and body, including those carrying information about pain.  When the vertebra that ordinarily protects the brainstem misaligns, it can interfere with its ability to relay signals properly.

At Body Balance Spinal Care, we carefully analyze the alignment of the upper cervical spine, made up of the atlas and axis vertebrae.  Once we identify the exact problem, we use a gentle method of adjusting to restore normal head and neck alignment.  Once this is accomplished and the body is given time to heal, the nervous system can function at its highest capacity and relay pain signals properly.  This may lead to a reduction or even complete resolution of fibromyalgia.

To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation call 916-973-0623on click the button below.

If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.