by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Scoop.it
Many people who battle fibromyalgia symptoms also deal with depression. Discover five fibromyalgia therapy strategies that may help relieve depression.
Most fibromyalgia patients are exhausted all the time and suffer from painful muscles and joints. But these aren�t the only common symptoms of fibromyalgia � at least one fourth of fibromyalgia patients also have some form of depression. In fact, adult fibromyalgia patients are much more likely than those without fibromyalgia to be depressed.
The link between fibromyalgia symptoms and depression makes sense. First, coping with the severe pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia can be frustrating and disruptive to your lifestyle. And fibromyalgia symptoms can also lead you through unchartered territory as you work through a maze of health care providers.
How Depression Can Make Fibromyalgia Symptoms Worse
Like other people with depression, fibromyalgia patients often experience a loss of interest in their favorite activities and feel lonely, tired, and sad.
�Depression makes pain worse and causes lots of fatigue and functional disability in fibromyalgia patients,� says Roland Staud, MD, professor of medicine, division of rheumatology and clinical immunology at the University of Florida in Gainesville. There is a strong correlation, Dr. Staud says, between pain and depression: �Alleviation of one leads to alleviation of the other.�
�Elizabeth W. Carson, PhD, a clinical psychologist on staff at St. Joseph�s Hospital in Atlanta, Ga., says she sees many fibromyalgia patients who are depressed as well as frustrated with their disease process. �Depression makes the patient more aware of the pain of fibromyalgia.�
While depression may be common in fibromyalgia patients, Staud says it is not common for people with fibromyalgia to be substance abusers. In fact, �There is no empirical evidence of substance abuse in fibromyalgia patients,� Staud says.
Fibromyalgia and Depression Therapy Option 1: Antidepressants
�There is no analgesic [pain reliever] to jointly treat pain and mood disorders,� says Staud. However, antidepressants are often used to treat fibromyalgia symptoms, with or without the presence of depression.
Two classes of antidepressants used to treat fibromyalgia symptoms are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and combined serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). �SNRIs are more effective for treating both depression and fibromyalgia symptoms,� says Staud. �SSRIs have a lesser effect on fibromyalgia symptoms.� SNRIs include Effexor (venlafaxine) and Cymbalta (duloxetine). Examples of SSRIs include Celexa (citalopram) and Prozac (fluoxetine).
Fibromyalgia and Depression Therapy Option 2: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Staud also recommends cognitive behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia patients who are dealing with depression. For fibromyalgia patients, the goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to change how you think about pain and in turn change how you deal with the pain.
Carson says she uses this therapy to address negative thinking. �By retraining patterns of thinking, you can help the patient change his or her behavior and how they deal with their fibromyalgia.�
Fibromyalgia and Depression Therapy Option 3: Counseling
Counseling, another type of psychological therapy, can take place in group sessions, in which patients meet with a therapist and exchange experiences and ideas, or as one-on-one discussions with a therapist.
During these group or individual sessions, patients discover strategies for coping with pain or tackling other issues related to depression and fibromyalgia symptoms. �Group therapy is more economical and helps, but individual therapy is more effective,� says Staud.
Fibromyalgia and Depression Therapy Option 4: Self-Help
�Depression is a form of exhaustion,� says Carson. �With fibromyalgia, sleep is fragmented by pain, and circadian rhythms are disturbed.�
Getting into a regular routine of sleep and performing daily activities can help re-establish healthy circadian rhythms. �Sleep hygiene is really important in treating depression associated with fibromyalgia,� adds Carson.
Additionally, exercise such as walking, jogging, and riding a bike may benefit patients with depression. Exercise can help people feel better both physically and mentally.
Fibromyalgia and Depression Therapy Option 5: Easing Pain and Fatigue
Addressing the underlying fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain and fatigue may also help to relieve depression. Several prescription medicines are now available to treat fibromyalgia pain symptoms, including Lyrica (pregabalin) and Savella (milnacipran). Non-narcotic pain relievers such as tramadol are also prescribed for fibromyalgia pain.
By working with your doctor to find the right fibromyalgia therapy, you�ll be able to target all your fibromyalgia symptoms, including depression.
Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.everydayhealth.com
Fibromyalgia has long been characterized as a misunderstood condition which affects the normal function of the brain, spinal cord and nerves, causing widespread pain as well as fatigue as a result. Many individual’s frequently describe these prevalent symptoms, however, others experience symptoms of depression. Depression can be linked to a variety or conditions, in this case, recent studies have concluded that fibromyalgia may become worse with depression.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900�.
by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
The spine is a complex structure consisting of many vertebrae which are stacked upon one another and each of these bones are separated by spinal discs. The vertebral disc in the spine primarily function as a shock absorber between the adjacent vertebrae. Spinal discs also act as ligaments to hold the vertebrae of the spine together and as cartilaginous joints which allow for slight mobility in the spine.
Each disc is composed of two parts: the annulus fibrosus, a tough, circular outer portion which surrounds the inner core, and the nucleus pulposus, the soft, inner core consisting of a loose network of fibers. The structure of a healthy, vertebral disc is compared to that of a jelly doughnut. The complex composition of each disc evenly distributes the force and pressure which is applied on the spine. At birth, approximately 80 percent of the discs are composed of water and these must be well hydrated to function properly. However, as people age, the structures of the spine, including the discs, go through a natural process of degeneration which is generally the leading cause for disc complications.
As individual�s age, the spinal discs begin to dehydrate and become stiffer and fragile, causing the disc to be less able to adjust to compression and stress. While this is a normal process, the stage may be painful for some individuals and can ultimately cause a disc herniation, disc bulge and other issues within the discs of the spine.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Back pain is one of the most common symptoms reported by the majority of the population. For those individuals experiencing pain and discomfort, performing normal, daily activities can become a challenge. If the individual is experiencing constant�symptoms of�back pain, however, the source of their symptoms could be due to�a disc herniation or disc bulge. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
The labrum increases the surface area of the acetabulum by 22 percent while it increases the volume by 33 percent, functioning accordingly to fasten the head of the femur while allowing it to rotate. From a cross-sectional view, the labrum is triangular in shape with an extra articular area of thick connective tissue which contains a rich supply of blood while the intra articular area majorly has no blood supply.
When the hip�s normal range of mobility extends beyond its limit, the labrum is stressed by a strong, compressive force and a tear at his point can ultimately affect the stability of the joint and distribution of weight or load. Furthermore, the labrum is considered a pain generating structure as numerous pain receptors are located in its superior and anterior regions. It is at the anterior surface where an ALT is most vulnerable to pressure along the end point of hip flexion. On another note, abnormal alterations within the structure, such as retroverted acetabulum and coxa valga, have been simultaneously recorded in up to 87 percent of individuals with labral tears. �
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
A majority of complications to the hip joint can often be related to acetabular labral tears, or ALT.�Labral tears in the joints of the hip account for hip and groin pain symptoms of individuals affected by the injury. Research suggests that an untreated ALT may increase the risk of degenerative hip arthritis, which has created a widespread interest within many healthcare professionals. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Car accidents can occur in high levels of traffic and anyone involved may suffer an injury. Various forms and degrees of injury can result from these types of incidents, however, one of the most difficult to detect includes shoulder injuries. Automobile accidents can damage an individual�s body to the point where it may not be immediately noticeable. Collisions are fast-paced actions that leave the involved individuals in shock and denial until they receive the medical attention they need and require at the time of the incident. Often times, the people who�ve experienced an auto accident may not feel any symptoms until the adrenaline begins to wear off and the pain and discomfort develops into lingering pain suggesting the presence of an underlying injury.
Whether the victim of an automobile accident find their bodies sore and aching for days after or whether they simply do not feel any pain and symptoms until several days, even weeks after, delaying a visit to a healthcare professional to receive a diagnosis of any possible injuries to follow through with treatment can be detrimental to both the overall health of the body and to a legal case. After all, lingering pain is usually a symptom of an injury which may require immediate medical treatment.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Automobile accidents can result in numerous types of injuries. Aside from whiplash, one of the most common types of injuries caused after a rear-end collision, shoulder injuries can also occur during an auto accident and these particular injuries can have some serious complications if left untreated. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
The subscapularis begins on the anterior scapular, or subscapular fossa, and introduces onto the minor tuberosity of the humerus. It is the largest of the rotator cuff muscles and its cross-sectional area is larger than the other three rotator cuff muscles combined; the infraspinatus, the teres minor and the supraspinatus. The most essential functions of the glenohumeral joint are: depressor of the humeral head; anterior stabilizer of the humeral head, which means it glides the humeral head posteriorly relative to the glenoid fossa; and internal rotator of the shoulder together with the powerful pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi.
The tendon fibres combine with the anterior capsule of the shoulder, which serve to reinforce the anterior shoulder capsule. The muscle is considered to be less substantial as a shoulder internal rotator, as the pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi are powerful internal rotators, and it�s therefore more essential as a dynamic anterior stabilizer of the glenohumeral joint due to its action in preventing an anterior shear of the humeral head.
The subscapularis has a deep connection with the long head of the biceps. This is known as a capsuloligamentous complex that functions to stabilize the long head of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove. The pulley complex is made up of the superior glenohumeral ligament, the coracohumeral ligament, and the distal attachment of the subscapularis tendon, where it is located within the rotator interval between the anterior edge of the supraspinatus tendon and the superior edge of the subscapularis tendon. Subscapularis tendon injuries may weaken the stability of the bicep. In order to maintain the biceps tendon stabilized and in place, support of the most superior insertion point of the subscapularis from behind the ligament and tension in the superior glenohumeral ligament is needed. Issues with a biceps sling is a common cause and effect of disease in many athletes, requiring the constant and effective rotation of the shoulder, just like the cocking position during baseball pitching.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Shoulder pain is common among many athletes, however, subscapularis muscle injuries, although infrequent, can occasionally occur, causing complications. Direct trauma from an injury to this specific muscle-tendon structure can commonly affect overhead athletes, such as tennis players and swimmers. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Due to the nature of lateral ankle sprains, once an individual has experienced an injury, there�s a high probability that another injury can occur. This is because damage or injury to the ligaments and joint capsules within the ankle can impair the structures ability to function appropriately. Along with any deficits in proprioception, this can often result in a high re-injury rate. Indeed, research has demonstrated that 73 percent of individuals who sprain their ankles are most likely to experience recurrent ankle injuries in the future.
The most frequent factor behind a majority of ankle sprains is when a single extremity lands on an uneven surface. During this case, a quick and joined ankle plantar flexion and inversion motion can often result in an extreme lateral movement which can lead to ankle sprains. Another factor that can influence the chance of lateral ankle sprains is proprioception, or an individual�s own neuromuscular control. With the necessary proprioception, an athlete may be able to accurately determine the speed and force of a disturbance of motion in order to be able to subsequently react with an appropriate joint and muscle motion to avoid injury. However, because there�s always a chance the athlete may be surrounded by uneven terrain, even an individual with excellent proprioceptive skills can suffer harm. Moreover, the evidence for the role of proprioceptive factors in preventing ankle sprains is still unclear.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Among the large variety of athletes, ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. According to research, a considerable amount of sports-related injuries may be caused due to ankle instability, also known as ankle ligament laxity. There can be various major factors behind the cause of ankle injuries but most frequently, landing on an uneven surface on a single extremity can cause complications. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
The most common type of car accident that many people face is where both involved parties seem to be either not injured at all or only have minor injuries. There may not be any visible wounds, cuts or bleeding but there may indeed be an underlying injury from inside and that can be quite serious. Individuals who believe they do not have to visit a doctor because there is no injury or the injury is minor, could be making a big mistake. Injuries that are caused internally can get worse over time if left untreated. And thus, immediate treatment is ultimately essential.�
Many people experience car accidents where there are no visible cuts or wounds and they ignore the need to visit a doctor. Generally, an individual may not feel any pain just after the accident due to a heavy rush of adrenaline. After 24 hours, people can begin to feel the symptoms of the incident, from neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, dizziness etc. Therefore, seeking immediate medical care and treatment after the car accident is important in order to diagnose the cause of the individual�s symptoms.
If a person wants to file a personal injury lawsuit, they will need medical documents from a health expert to prove the fact of an injury. Without a strong backing of medical documents to prove this, no lawyer will be ready to take your case.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Automobile accidents are unfortunate circumstances, unfortunately resulting unexpectedly in most common cases. Auto accident can be both physically and mentally troublesome. It is an overwhelming situation and can give long lasting mental and physical trauma to the people involved. Once an individual has suffered an auto collision, the first and most important step that a person needs to take should be to visit a doctor. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Tendons are sturdy bands of connective tissue that function by connecting muscles to bones. These channel the force created by each individual muscle to move the bone. Because of this, they must be sufficiently powerful to endure the force which is conducted through them yet sufficiently flexible to act as pulleys around bony prominences.
Athletes who frequently overuse their muscles or as a result of direct trauma can develop a tendon injury. Of the 32 million musculoskeletal injuries documented in the United States annually, 45% of them are injuries to tendons, ligaments, or joint capsules. The most commonly injured tendons include the tendons of the rotator cuff of the shoulder, the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and the elbow extensor tendon. Several factors can place additional strain on the tendon and contribute to injuries caused by overuse, including: abnormal direction of pull due to skeletal misalignment; differences in limb lengths; muscle weakness or imbalances; hypermobile joints;?inflexible muscles;?training errors; and faulty or improperly fitted equipment and/or footwear.
Tendon injuries are believed to be difficult to treat as they were once historically thought of as an inflammatory condition, referred before to as tendonitis. Its treatment was therefore focused on reducing the inflammation through traditional anti-inflammatory medications and modalities and was extensively unsuccessful.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
For athletes and the general population who participate in physical activity, overuse and overexertion of the muscles can cause several complications, most commonly, tendon injury or tendinopathy. Several symptoms can debilitate an individual with this type of injury but sufficient rest and proper health care can help relieve tendon complications and restore normal function. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.�
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic, Whiplash
A headache is a symptom of pain felt in any region of the head or neck. From a mild and irritating discomfort to a severe and throbbing pain, headaches can be caused by a variety of factors and they may occur temporarily or they can last throughout the day. In a majority of cases, individuals report headaches and other similar symptoms after being involved in an automobile accident, most commonly, if they�ve been diagnosed with whiplash.
Any type of auto collision can lead to whiplash and other injuries, however, whiplash occurs most frequently during rear-end impacts in a car. Whiplash occurs when the head suddenly moves back-and-forth in any given direction as a result of a powerful force, extending the neck beyond its normal range of motion. This type of injury can also be caused by trauma from a sports injury or other type of accident. The neck is a complex structure consisting of joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels and other tissues. When the structures of the neck are subjected to an extreme force, such as that from a car crash, the tissues within the neck can become irritated and inflamed, causing injuries that results in pain, whiplash headaches and other symptoms.
The symptoms of whiplash generally develop immediately after the automobile accident, although occasionally, the pain and discomfort can take up to several days, weeks, or even months to manifest. The pain is often in the form of whiplash headaches.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T�s insight:
In the case of an automobile accident, not many people are prepared for the�effects that follow the situation. An auto accident is an unexpected situation that often results in property damage, but most importantly, the impact from the collision can lead to numerous injuries and symptoms, affecting�an individual much more than expected. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
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by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic
Auto accidents aren�t necessarily the only cause behind whiplash, but they do occur more frequently during these incidents. Whiplash can result from any motion in which the head is abruptly jolted forward and then backwards at an increased speed. The accelerated movement often leads to the irritation and inflammation of the ligaments and tendons found in the neck, occasionally causing a tear within these complex tissues.
A doctor who specializes in auto accident injuries can properly identify the presence of whiplash and follow up with the most appropriate treatment program to decrease and eliminate the pain and other symptoms associated with the injury as well as restore the individual�s flexibility. A medical doctor, an orthopedic, physical therapist, primary care physician and a chiropractor, are several different types of healthcare specialists who focus on different complications and can treat automobile accident injuries and conditions.
Many individuals who�ve been involved in a car accident, don�t receive the proper health care they need and deserve for their whiplash injuries. Ultimately, the type of doctor an auto accident victim receives treatment from can determine their outcome for recovery. It�s important to be well-informed of the training and expertise of a whiplash doctor before accepting treatment because not all of the above mentioned healthcare specialists will treat whiplash injuries.
Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:
Whiplash is a common type of neck injury, frequently resulting from a variety of auto accidents, the wide majority caused by rear-end auto collisions. For those individuals who�ve sustained a whiplash-related injury after being involved in an automobile accident, the kind of doctor they should seek to proceed with treatment must specialize in automobile injuries for the best recovery results. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.
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