What is Fibromyalgia?
Not many people are aware of what fibromyalgia is. Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, heightened response to pressure, fatigue, and localized tenderness, fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder. It is believed that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Doctors and researchers have yet to discover what causes fibromyalgia. However, it more than likely involves a variety of factors working together. In some cases, symptoms evolve after a physical trauma, surgery, infection, or significant psychological stress (ex: post traumatic stress disorder). It is also thought that genetics may play a roll as it tends to run in families. There may also be certain genetic mutations that may make you more susceptible to developing the disorder. There are various other circumstances that can elevate your risk for developing fibromyalgia such as your sex. Women are two times as likely to develop the disorder along with rheumatic disease. If you have a rheumatic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time, with no single triggering event.
Researchers believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brain of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain. In addition, the brain’s pain receptors seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can over-react to pain.
How to Control Fibromyalgia Symptoms
There are a multitude of symptoms involved with fibromyalgia, with the most prominent being widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia is often described as a constant dull ache that can last for at least three months. To be considered widespread, pain must occur on both sides of your body and both above and below your waist. Another common and difficult symptom is fatigue.
Fibromyalgia sufferers often awaken tired even though they report sleeping long periods of time. Sleep is often disrupted by pain, and many patients with fibromyalgia often have other sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. The last common symptom, which is commonly referred to as ‘Fibro Fog’, impairs the ability to focus, pay attention, and concentrate on mental tasks. It makes working a standard 9-5 difficult for some, along with certain tasks of day-to-day life. There are many other symptoms that evolve as well, such as headaches, depression, and abdominal cramping.
The pain and lack of sleep associated with fibromyalgia can interfere with your ability to function at home or work. The frustration of dealing with an often-misunderstood condition also can result in health related anxiety. Some fibromyalgia sufferers also report experiencing tempromandibular joint disorders, irritable bowl syndrome, and many others.
There are various medications available to control fibromyalgia symptoms along with exercise, relaxation, diet, and stress reduction measures. There has been very little information available from the scientific community on nutrition and diet, positively or negatively. Eating healthy foods including those low in fat and high in immunity boosting antioxidants and phytochemicals may work together to help maximize energy and alertness and minimize constant fatigue and lethargy. It has been known that many people have overcome their fibromyalgia symptoms by changing their lifestyle and diet.
There are a few things that are recommended you avoid if you have fibromyalgia:
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High fat dairy foods
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White sugar
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White flour
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Fried foods
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Preservatives
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Junk food
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Salt
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Red meat (Especially salt cured, cured bacon, smoked, or nitrate cured)
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Coffee and caffeinated teas
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Colas, pop and carbonated beverages
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Liquid with your meals
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Alcohol
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Chocolate
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All forms of tobacco
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Prolonged periods of sun exposure
In addition to this, stretching, exercising, and drinking plenty of water in a day should be maintained.
Many sufferers who have never been to a chiropractor before may have various questions about how it works. The body is a system of bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and joints that are completely connected. If they are not working properly together, your system will not function properly. In order for your body to remain strong, you need to ensure that your skeletal structure is at its best, which a chiropractor is able to help with! Dr. Harmony can help to restore balance throughout your system and structure through manipulations, stretches, and adjustments in order to help alleviate the pain associated with fibromyalgia. She is able to treat neck, back, and leg pain that is often a part of it. Patients have found that chronic pain and fatigue can easily be relieved with the help of Dr. Harmony.
If you are currently suffering from fibromyalgia, Harmony Chiropractic & Wellness Clinic is here to help. We want to ensure that your life is more manageable and help to alleviate the pain and suffering that is fought daily. Dr. Harmony understands the unique symptoms associated with it and looks forward to helping you create a path to less pain!
