There is a very strong link between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue is feeling tired all the time. No amount of rest or relaxation can help it. Often, a person is told they have chronic fatigue following a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. For a diagnosis to be made the person must have the following symptoms:
- Must experience extreme fatigue for at least 4 months in a row
- Must have poor cognitive ability (unable to think clearly)
- Must feel very tired upon waking, as if they didn’t actually sleep at all
If these symptoms fit a person’s situation, he or she may be suffering from chronic fatigue that was brought on by fibromyalgia. At least 7% of the population may be affected by this condition, with many cases going undiagnosed. The probability of developing fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue increases as a person ages and affects women far more frequently than men.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia, download our free e-book by clicking the image below.
Table of Contents
The Basics of Fibromyalgia
- Often problems begin in the central nervous system.
- Those diagnosed have abnormalities of the brain due to improper blood flow to the thalamus, leading to changes in metabolism and energy.
- Windup, a term used to describe increased awareness of pain and feeling pain when there is none, is often experienced.
- The brain shows changes in neurochemical, anatomical, and physiological chemicals compared to those not diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Relieving Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
Medical doctors recommend using drugs because these often give the patient some relief. However, it does not last long. Exercise and psychological relief care have also shown to be helpful. Fortunately, one area that has had overwhelming success is that of upper cervical chiropractic care.
We are able to help our fibromyalgia patients by making sure their spine is in good health, particularly focusing on the upper neck area. A misalignment here of only ¼ of a millimeter can cause the body and brain to not communicate properly and can be the reason for decreased blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow to the brain. The central nervous system as a whole can be affected.
References:
- http://www.chiroindex.org/?search_page=articles&action=&articleId=21865
- http://www.chiroindex.org/?search_page=articles&action=&articleId=15487
- http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=734692
- http://www.chiroindex.org/?search_page=articles&action=&articleId=22573
- http://www.naturalnews.com/039491_chiropractic_suicide_disease_treatment.html
- Grostic JD, Dentate ligament-cord distortion hypothesis. CRJ 1988; 1(1):47-55
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