Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome causing widespread pain throughout the body and mental distress. Sometimes the symptoms of fibromyalgia mimic arthritis or joint inflammation. However, unlike these conditions, fibromyalgia does not cause muscle or joint inflammation or damage. It is a rheumatic condition, meaning it causes myofascial pain or soft tissue pain.
NIAMS (the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) reports that in the US as many as 5 million adults over the age of 18 have fibromyalgia. Of these, 80 to 90 percent are women.
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Interesting Fibromyalgia Facts
- Symptoms of FM resemble arthritis, but it affects the soft tissue, not the joints.
- The cause of FM remains unknown, but risk factors include rheumatoid arthritis, other autoimmune disorders, a traumatic injury, and genetic factors.
- Exercise, acupuncture, medication, and behavioral therapy can help to relieve symptoms and improve sleep quality.
- Fibromyalgia causes fatigue, widespread pain, and general discomfort.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Fibromyalgia can have a number of different symptoms, and they can vary from person to person. However, here is a brief list of the most common symptoms associated with this condition:
- Pain and tiredness in the facial muscles and adjacent fibrous tissues
- Abnormal headaches
- Jaw stiffness and pain
- Widespread pain, similar to having the flu
- Morning stiffness in joints and muscles
- Problems sleeping, leading to irregular sleep patterns
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Painful menstrual periods
- IBS — irritable bowel syndrome
- Extreme exhaustion
- Fibro fog — problems with memory and concentration
- Sensitivity to heat and/or cold
- Restless leg syndrome
Less common, but possible symptoms follow:
- Dizziness
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Vision problems
- Pelvic and urinary problems
- Breathing problems
- Depression and anxiety
- Skin issues
- Chest symptoms
Most commonly, people around age 45 begin having symptoms, but FM can appear at any time and to anyone.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia, download our free e-book by clicking the image below.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The exact reason for FM to occur remains a mystery among the medical community. However, most will agree that FM has to do with a problem in the central pain processing area of the brain. This means that there may be an increase in sensitivity or perception of pain when a trigger occurs. There are some things which put you at higher risk than others for developing FM:
- The way our genes regulate the pain process
- Problems with the central nervous system
- Having repetitive injuries
- Undergoing a stressful and traumatic physical event (ex. a car accident) or an emotional event (ex. death of a loved one)
There is a large possibility that FM is hereditary. Research has revealed that females having a close relative with fibromyalgia are at higher risk for developing it themselves.
In addition, having another condition can increase your risk. Such things as lupus, spinal arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis), or rheumatoid arthritis put you at an increased risk of getting FM. The same holds true for patients with other rheumatic diseases.
Which Doctor Should You See for Fibromyalgia?
Many people wonder if it is better to see their general practitioner or an expert when looking for help with their FM symptoms. Previously, most people were referred to rheumatologists when it came to caring for FM. More recently, however, patients are trying out different forms of care in the hopes of finding something that will work more effectively than what they tried last. Many are steering away from medications and looking for a more natural way to care for their symptoms.
A recent study was done regarding diagnosing and caring for fibromyalgia. Included in the study were 54 rheumatologists, 25 primary care physicians, and 12 doctors from various other practices. Interestingly, the rheumatologists had more confidence in diagnosing FM than the other doctors. All doctors agreed it was their responsibility to help diagnose and care for FM with their patients. They also all agreed the symptoms of FM are not psychosomatic (only in your head/mental). Primary care physicians, more than others, felt like medication was a good idea and were very comfortable diagnosing it. It was observed that most patients also had other conditions existing alongside their FM. All of the doctors involved in the study reported they were confident in diagnosing fibromyalgia. Rheumatologists were seen to be more likely to try current medical therapies, whereas primary care physicians were more focused on traditional therapy.
Finding the Underlying Cause of Fibromyalgia
There is one area of care often not mentioned by practitioners as an option even though it has a proven success record. This is the area of upper cervical chiropractic care. One 32-year-old woman pursued this type of care and had an immediate reduction in her FM symptoms after her initial adjustment. After just 3 months of care, her pain had reduced by 90 percent.
Why is this kind of care so effective? It has to do with the C1 and C2 vertebrae. These bones are located at the base of the skull where it meets the neck. They are the top two bones of the spine. They were designed to act as a protection to the delicate spinal cord. However, when an injury or accident has occurred, you will find the opposite to be true. If the bones move out of their proper place, they may stress the brainstem and cause it to send improper signals to the brain. If the brainstem tells the brain that the body is experiencing pain when it is not, fibromyalgia can be the end result.
To correct this misalignment, upper cervical chiropractors use a gentle method to encourage the bones to move back into place on their own. We do not resort to popping or cracking the spine to get the desired results. Rather, our method is low force and more natural. Many patients report seeing results similar to the woman mentioned above.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Hejny, call our Spring Lake Park office at 763-230-0116. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.