Study Finds Chiropractic Benefits Fibromyalgia�

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

A new study from Egypt reports that chiropractic care can be an effective treatment strategy for fibromyalgia treatment with chiropractic care.

The study involved 120 people between the ages of 40 and 65 who had suffered with severe fibromyalgia for four years or more. Each person rated their pain as a 4 or higher on a pain scale and also had limited movement in their cervical (neck area) spine, specifically in their C1-C2 area.

All of the individuals participating in this study engaged in 12 weeks of therapy which included:

An education program (one two-hour session per week) designed to provide the participant with more information about fibromyalgia and available treatment options;

Cognitive behavioral therapy (one two-hour session per week) which involved discussion regarding pain management via relaxation exercises, challenging treatment-prohibitive beliefs about fibromyalgia, and positive reinforcement about what types of actions can be taken to ease fibromyalgia symptoms;

and an exercise program (three one-hour sessions per week plus 20-minute session twice daily at home) which included relaxation techniques, as well as active and passive stretches.

Fibromyalgia: How Chiropractic Can Help

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

Fibromyalgia is a widespread condi�tion. Some investigators estimate as many as 2% of the general population in the United States suffers from FM, with women affected 10 times more than men.1 With the combination of symptoms faced by the FM patient, finding the solution to this problem is a tough task.

Medical science is yet to discover the cause for this condition. Because there are so many different symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, there are just as many theories for what causes it. Since those with FM often experience an altered mood � such as depression � many experts focus on the psychologi�cal aspect of the disease. Others feel that FM is more a physiological entity, and has its origins in physical trauma or chronic postural alterations. Some suggest that FM is a central nervous system disorder, with imbalances in neurochemicals � since those with FM are hypersensitive to even the slightest stimuli. They often have a pain response to normally non-painful pressure or activity. It�s not out of the question that a combination of psycho�logical and physical triggers can result in the onset of many of FM symptoms.

Chiropractors often offer their skills to FM patients, hoping to relieve some of their symptoms. In fact, evidence suggests that those with FM consult with chiropractors quite regularly. According to a study conducted at a tertiary Mayo Clinic, 37% of the 300+ FM patients surveyed had visited a chiropractor in the previous 6 months.

Is Fibromyalgia to Blame for Your Sleep Problems?

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

Sleep disturbances are among the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, a chronic condition affecting the spinal cord and brain that causes people to feel pain and fatigue, and affects concentration. In fact, along with the tiredness, pain, and psychosocial distress, sleep disturbances are a core feature.

In the last few years, it has become increasingly clear that treating the associated sleep disturbance improves the daytime symptoms of fibromyalgia.

It is estimated that 2 percent to 10 percent of the population suffers from fibromyalgia. Three quarters of those with fibromyalgia have sleep complaints. The most common is a feeling of non-refreshing or non-restorative sleep.�Insomnia, characterized by an inability to either fall asleep or stay asleep, is very common in fibromyalgia. Treating the insomnia with cognitive behavioral therapyand good sleep hygiene has been shown to improve symptoms of fibromyalgia.

People with fibromyalgia show less deep sleep, increased lighter stages of sleep, and more frequent arousals during the night than do others. Many of the newer medications approved for use in fibromyalgia such as pregabalin (Lyrica) work in part by increasing deep sleep.�In several studies of normal sleepers, disrupting deep sleep nightly for 7 to 14 days with either noise or awakenings resulted in symptoms indistinguishable from patients with fibromyalgia.

Chiropractic Care May Benefit Fibromyalgia Sufferers

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

If you�ve never been to a chiropractor, you may have some questions about how it works. Basically, chiropractors believe that the body is a connected system. If your bones, ligaments, muscles, joints and tendons aren�t functioning properly then they can lead to an improperly functioning system. When your skeletal structure is strong, your body is strong. Chiropractors help restore the balance in your skeletal structure through adjustments, manipulations and stretches to eliminate the pain associated with fibromyalgia. �

Patients with this syndrome have been turning to chiropractic care in increasing numbers over the years to treat the neck pain, back pain and leg cramps that often accompany fibromyalgia. Many have found that a few adjustments to the neck and spine can greatly relieve the chronic pain that they live with.

A lot of people who suffer from fibromyalgia are also afflicted with upper cervical spinal stenosis. This condition leads to the compression of meninges (the coverings of the upper spine) to become compressed. In turn, the patient is left with pain across their entire body. A chiropractor who is familiar with this syndrome can adjust the head and neck so that the spine isn�t compressed, which can help alleviate some of the chronic pain that is associated with fibromyalgia.