Fibromyalgia - Recognizing The Symptoms and Knowing How To Treat It

If you are wondering about the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you are not alone. Although 3 to 6 percent of Americans (mostly women) have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, there's still a cloud of mystery around it. This is not surprising since even diagnosing the condition can be a complicated process. In many cases, years go by before for a patient receives the proper diagnosis.

In order for a diagnosis to occur, some symptoms must be in place. Here are some signs of fibromyalgia: pressured, pain or soreness should be present in at least 11 points around the regions of the neck, chest, shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip, and pain in the four body quadrants for three months or longer. Although some patients do not experience tenderness in all 11 points, they will still experience widespread pain and a gamut of other symptoms. These symptoms can include:

• Lightheadedness or dizzy spells


• Trouble sleeping


• Tiredness


• Persistent headaches or migraines


• Pain after muscle exertion


• Stiffness in the morning


• Pain in the jaw


• Menstrual cramps


• Chemical and skin sensitivity


• Tingling, numbing sensations

Bearing in mind that other types of conditions may have similar symptoms to fribromyalgia, it's necessary to first rule out the other possibilities. Fatigue, chronic headaches, irritable bowels, and the other listed symptoms may all be attributed to other root causes. Since the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is a complex process, people who have either been diagnosed with the condition or feel they may have it, are advised to seek more than one expert opinion.

To start, a thorough clinical evaluation and blood tests will likely be needed to determine whether you have lyme disease, a rheumatic condition, anemia, hormonal imbalances, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, and other disorders that present similar symptoms to fibromyalgia.

When tests show one of these conditions is present, the first line of treatment is addressing that condition. And in cases where a joint or muscle condition causes the troublesome symptoms, chiropractic care is likely the most effective type of therapy.

When Fibromyalgia is Present
Once you've ruled out other possible conditions that could be causing the symptoms, and no other underlying cause is evident, you may have fibromyalgia. Conventional treatment for fibromyalgia involves the use of sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory aids, prednisone, and other types of medication. These medications, however, all have side effects. For a holistic, natural approach, you can try the following:

• Take B vitamins, malic acid, and 300 to 600 mg of magnesium per day. Studies show that this combination is helpful in reducing the number of tender points and the intensity of the pain.


• Make sure to include omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flax, sardines, tuna, salmon and other types of fish, as well as nuts such as walnuts. Fatty acids boost the nervous system and promotes good brain functioning. This translates into a better memory, concentration, and a sense of wellbeing.


• Try to limit your intake of saturated fats. Cut back on red meat and animal fats.


• Seek ways to improve the quality of your sleep. You can accomplish this by watching less TV, spending less time in front of the computer, keeping your caffeine intake at a moderate level, watching the comfort level of your mattress, drinking herbal tea, getting a massage - just to name a few. And when you do watch TV, try to watch programs that uplift or relax you; you don't want violence and disturbing dramas before bedtime. In addition, you may seek guidance from your chiropractic doctor for precise, personalized tips on sleeping better.


• Look for healthy ways to manage your stress level. Good stress management techniques can help you relieve anxiety and depression. You may also want to try cognitive or behavioral therapy. These psychological approaches aim to replace negative emotions and thinking patterns with more helpful ones.


• Try yoga, tai chi, Pilates, and other exercise routines that focus on breathing, stretching, and relaxation as opposed to strenuous aerobic exercise (which may actually worsen fibromylgia symptoms).


• Seek chiropractic care for the care of fibromyalgia. Studies consistently show that chiropractic care is one of the most helpful therapeutic approaches. Your chiropractic doctor has many tools to help address your pain and discomfort. Care can include the incorporation of massage, spinal adjustments, electrical stimulation, and other techniques that are known to relieve pain, stress, and other symptoms that may be troubling you.

Chiropractic doctors are licensed, trained experts that can assist you in learning ways to address and treat your symptoms. With a tailor-made approach that looks at you in a holistic manner, chiropractic care can be very helpful to fibromyalgia patients. And in the case a doctor feels you may benefit from additional or another type of care besides chiropractic, she or he can recommend you to a specialist.