What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes widespread pain throughout your body. It’s often characterized by tenderness around joints and muscles, though pain can be felt anywhere. Women are more likely to get fibromyalgia than men, though both genders can be affected.
There is no diagnostic test or specialized imaging for fibromyalgia. Your doctors diagnose the condition based on your symptoms and any known factors that contributed to the development of the condition.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
In addition to chronic pain throughout your body, fibromyalgia can cause:
- Stiffness and decreased range of motion
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Mental health problems, like anxiety and depression
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor memory and concentration
- Headaches and migraines
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Pain in the face or jaw
- Digestive problems, like bloating and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Symptoms may flare up during times of stress or when you’re sick. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including getting enough rest, eating a nutritious diet, and exercising regularly, can reduce the severity of your symptoms.
What causes fibromyalgia?
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, though research suggests that fibromyalgia occurs in people with altered pain signaling sensations in their brains. You may experience pain signals more frequently than someone without fibromyalgia or you may become sensitive to stimuli that don’t cause pain in people without fibromyalgia.
In some cases, fibromyalgia can be triggered by certain life events and health issues, such as:
- History of stress or trauma, including car accidents and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Repetitive injuries
- Illnesses
- Rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
- Obesity
Fibromyalgia also affects close family members, so you if have a relative with fibromyalgia, you may be at an increased risk.
How is fibromyalgia treated?
While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, it can be managed through conservative care and living a healthy lifestyle. At Taylor Chiropractic and Weight Loss Clinic, the team uses a variety of methods to address chronic musculoskeletal pain, including:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Cox® Technic flexion distraction
- Computerized adjusting
- Soft tissue therapy, including massage therapy
- Hot and cold therapy
- HydroMassage®
- Electrical nerve stimulation
- Therapeutic exercises and stretching
Nutritional counseling — including following an anti-inflammatory diet — may reduce your symptoms and help you feel better, too.
To schedule a visit for fibromyalgia treatment, call Taylor Chiropractic and Weight Loss Clinic or book an appointment online now.
