While medications may seem to be the go-to for alleviating different health conditions, it appears that the list of possible side effects keeps growing with every new medication released. For this reason, many people are seeking alternative treatments to treat their symptoms.
One possible condition that can benefit from alternative treatments, such as chiropractic care, is fibromyalgia.
What is Fibromyalgia?
According to the Center for Disease Control, fibromyalgia is “a condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress.” In addition, fibromyalgia may increase the sensation of pain by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process pain signals.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
The cause of fibromyalgia isn’t known for sure. Still, repeated nerve stimulation can cause people with fibromyalgia’s brain and spinal cord to create an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals that signal pain.
It’s also believed that genetics, infections, and physical or emotional events can increase the risk of fibromyalgia.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The main symptom associated with fibromyalgia is pain, but other symptoms include:
- Body stiffness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Sleep problems
Treatments for Fibromyalgia
There’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are different treatment options. Treatments include both medication and self-care strategies aimed at minimizing your symptoms. These include:
- Medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be helpful to alleviate the pain. Some anti-seizure drugs that treat epilepsy have also been used to reduce certain types of pain.
- Exercise. Aerobic exercises, muscle strengthening exercises, meditation, and yoga can all help reduce pain.
Different therapies can help reduce the effects of fibromyalgia on your body and your life. Chiropractic care from your local chiropractor can also be an excellent treatment option because it involves various techniques that can help with fibromyalgia.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help Fibromyalgia?
Chiropractic care combines various techniques to ease pressure points in the neck, back, shoulders, spine, and joints. Some techniques include:
- Adjustments. When a chiropractor adjusts your musculoskeletal system, the realignment can help fix the nervous system’s connection and nerves all over the body. Since fibromyalgia affects the system that processes pain, an adjustment will reset your nervous system, decreasing your pain level and helping your body function better.
- Physical therapy. The pain caused by fibromyalgia can adversely affect your daily routine. A lack of movement or exercise due to the pain you experience can make things worse. Chiropractors will provide physical therapy to strengthen your body and increase your range of motion.
Recommending life changes. Your chiropractor won’t only conduct adjustments and therapies but also recommend adjustments in your lifestyle and nutrition. Changing the way you eat and your physical activities can ultimately contribute to minimizing symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Chiropractic Care at Spine Health and Wellness
Every patient is different, and the treatment that might prove effective with one person may not work on you. But if you’re seeking relief from your fibromyalgia, let the Spine Health and Wellness experts take a look at your specific situation.
Contact us today so we can get started on your personalized treatment plan.