Fibromyalgia at Helms Chiropractic and Wellness in Castle Rock!
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So What is Fibromyalgia?
Since Fibromyalgia is Such a Complex Condition that is Still Not Completely Understood, so instead of Writing some long Post that Tries to Describe What Exactly Fibromyalgia is, and because a google or similar Search Engine search for the Term Would Pull up a Very Good List of Resources and More information then I Could Ever Write About, I’m Going to Try and Break it Down in Very Simplified Way so it’s Not Only Much Easier to Understand but also That Way if You or Any One You Know is Suffering from this Terrible Debilitating Condition, You Can then Do Something About it.
It has been estimated that anywhere between 2% to 4% of the general US Population suffers from Fibromyalgia. It affects about 9 Women for every 1 Man, and is Most Commonly diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although it can occur in childhood.
Simply put, the word “Fibromyalgia” literally means Connective tissue= fibro, Muscle tissue= myo, Pain= algia, and that is exactly what it is a Chronic, Widespread, Condition of Painful Muscle and Connective tissue.
Many names, such as ‘Muscular Rheumatism’, ‘Fibrositis’, ‘Psychogenic Rheumatism’, and ‘Neurasthenia’ were applied to symptoms resembling those of Fibromyalgia. However, since these were misleading terms for this Condition they have been dropped since the term Fibromyalgia was originally coined by a research scientist by the name of, Dr. Mohammed Yunus, and was first used in a scientific publication in 1981.
What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
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The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia are Very important since Fibromyalgia has No Clinical Tests to Detect it so a History of Specific Symptoms and Specific Physical Examination Findings are the Only Way to Diagnose it.
The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia are:
- A History of at least 3 Months of Widespread Pain, that Affects all Four Quadrants of the body (both sides above and below the waist).
- Pain and Tenderness of at least 11 out of the 18 Tender-Point Sites listed Below:
Neck
Shoulders
Rib Cage
Chest
Elbows
Lower Back
Buttocks
Knees
Thighs
Fibromyalgia Sufferers will also typically have Fatigue and Not Just the “I’m Tired” Feeling We All Experience from Time to Time, it’s more like a “I Get Exhausted and Need to Rest after doing a Simple Chore” Type of Fatigue.
In addition to this Fatigue, Fibromyalgia Sufferers also Tend to Have: Troubles sleeping, Anxiety, Depression, Stress, Numbness in Hands and Feet, headaches, Pain or Numbness in the Face, Jaw pain (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder –TMJ), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Memory Difficulties (known as “Brain Fog” or “Fibro Fog”), and Heart Palpitations.
I mentioned that Fibromyalgia has No Clinical Tests to Detect it, However, Laboratory and X-ray Tests are Typically Done to Help Confirm the Diagnosis by Ruling Out other Conditions that Have Similar Symptoms such as: neck and lower back degenerative disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Depression, Cancer, HIV infection, Hypothyroidism, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Lyme’s Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and sleep disorders.
What Can You Do to Ease the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
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Unfortunately, the Cause of Fibromyalgia is Still Not Known, so there is No Proven Prevention, and (as with Many Chronic Disorders) there is No Known Cure or Universally Accepted Treatment for Fibromyalgia, so treatment is typically aimed at Symptom Management.
The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia however, have been shown to Get Better or Even Go Away when Healthy Lifestyle Changes are implemented! These Key Factors of a Healthy Lifestyle are: Physical Fitness, Healthy Eating, Getting the Appropriate Amount of Sleep, and Reducing Stress.
A Combination of implementing the Above Healthy Lifestyle Changes and Specific Treatments to Help Relieve the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia including; Manipulation and other Types Physical Therapies, as well as, Patient Education and Counseling, and Support Groups All have been Shown to be Helpful to Manage, Control, and Relieve the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
How can Infrared Therapy Reduce Fibromyalgia pain!
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Are You Ready for Drug Free Pain Management?
You no longer need to live with constant pain. PILT (Pulsed Infrared Light Therapy) consistently resolves pain and inflammation issues. HealthLights plays a significant role in reducing chronic pain and inflammation, as well as pain associated with fibromyalgia and other arthritic conditions. A full and active life can be yours with treatments of 20 minutes a day.
How Does Infrared Therapy Reduce Pain?
Using HealthLights stimulates your body's cells to release Nitric Oxide into the blood and surrounding tissue. This relaxes the cells found in the arteries, veins, capillaries and lymph vessels. When these muscles relax, they dilate the blood vessel, which increases circulation significantly. With this increase in circulation, the body can more easily heal the affected area by replacing damaged cells more quickly by increasing RNA and DNA synthesis. Using HealthLights also stimulates the release of Adenosine Triphosophate (ATP) which carries energy to cells, and aids in the production of endorphins, which help to facilitate long term pain relief.
HealthLights uses a combination of non-visible (infrared) and visible (red or blue) light waves. Infrared light has a much larger wavelength and is able to penetrate deeper into soft tissue. Therefore, infrared light is more effective for bones, joints, deep muscles, etc. The combination of both, however, has been shown to ease pain and accelerate the healing process by:
- Increasing circulation
- Triggering the production of endorphins which helps to facilitate long term pain relief.
- Relieve swelling by increasing lymphatic system activity
- Stimulating the release of Adenosine Triphosophate (ATP) which carries energy to cells.
- Replacing damaged cells more quickly by increasing RNA and DNA synthesis.
For more information, read theNational Center for Biotechnology Information Reportwhere they published their findings from clinical trials on the effectiveness of light therapy in the area of pain management.
How Can Chiropractic Care Help Fibromyalgia?
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I mentioned in last week’s post that, the Cause of Fibromyalgia is Still Not Known, so there is No Proven Prevention, and (as with Many Chronic Disorders) there is No Known Cure or Universally Accepted Treatment for Fibromyalgia, so treatment is typically aimed at Symptom Management.
The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia are: Pain and Tenderness of the: Neck, Shoulders, Rib Cage, Chest, Elbows, Lower Back, Buttocks, Knees, and Thighs. Fibromyalgia Sufferers will also typically have Fatigue, Troubles sleeping, Numbness in Hands and Feet, Headaches, Pain or Numbness in the Face, Jaw pain (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder –TMJ), Stress and Anxiety. All of Which Have Been Shown to Respond Very Well to Chiropractic Care as well as Other conditions that Have Similar Symptoms such as, Neck and Lower Back Degenerative Disease.
Why? Because, Misalignments of Your Spine and the other Joints of Your Body Cause Nerve irritation and since the Nervous System is the Organizer, Controller, and Coordinator of All Your Body’s Processes and All Your Other Systems, including: the Circulatory, Respiratory,Digestive, Reproductive, Hormonal, Muscle and Skeletal Systems, they Depend upon Your Nervous System to Work Properly. Therefore, the Most Direct Method of Correcting Conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Should Be Directed toward Balancing Your Nervous System and this is Exactly What Chiropractic Care Does!
Chiropractic Adjustments Correct the Misalignments Your Spine and the other Joints of Your Body, Reduces Spinal Nerve irritation, improves Circulation, and Releases Muscle Tension, All of Which Helps Your Body Return to a Balanced, Relaxed, and Healthy State.
That is Why A Healthy, Balanced Spine is also a Key Factor to a Happier Healthier Lifestyle.
Chiropractic Care is Based on the Idea That, Given the Opportunity, the Mind and Body Can Heal itself. So if You Want a Safe, Drugless, Cost Effective, Treatment that Can Help You Ease or Even Stop Your Pain From This Chronic and Debilitating Condition, Then Try Chiropractic Care “the #1 Top-Rated, Most Helpful, Highly Satisfied, Treatment by a Health-Care Professional.”¹ And Start Enjoying the Activities You and Your Family Really Love to Do Again!
Please call us at 303-858-8288 to learn more about Fibromyalgia at Helms Chiropractic and Wellness in Castle Rock.