Do You Suffer From Fibromyalgia IN Comstock Park MI?

Are you suffering from fibromyalgia in Comstock Park MI? Fibromyalgia, a contemporary diagnosis describing chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue, was first introduced in 1976. Since its introduction, it has been estimated that 2-6% of the United population has been designated with this diagnosis. Of the 2-6% of people diagnosed, women are affected at significantly higher rates than men. It has even been estimated that as high as 85% of people suffering from fibromyalgia are women. Some proposed theories for why women are affected at much higher rates than men have included differences in hormones and possible genetic differences that are present at birth.

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Understanding Fibromyalgia in Comstock Park MI

Despite high rates of occurrence, the cause of fibromyalgia remains poorly understood. Proposed causes have included; hereditary factors, stress, hormonal imbalances, illness, trauma, and a seemingly endless list of other possibilities. Largely due to the vast number of potential causes, western medical practitioners have struggled with treating this clinical syndrome, relying heavily on medications to treat pain and fatigue symptoms. As a result, many patients have turned to alternative medical treatments, including chiropractic, for relief. Gorbach Family Chiropractic in Comstock Park MI has offered patients relief from fibromyalgia and this article is intended to teach you about the condition and your various treatment options.

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How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?

To understand how the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made, it is important to first understand how the body is divided by medical practitioners. Typically the body is viewed as four different sections, the left and right sides and above and below the belt line. The American College of Rheumatology has determined that only people who have discomfort in each of these four areas can be classified as having the condition. In addition, the pain is typically present for more than 3-4 months. This institute has also identified 18 different trigger points throughout the body and people suffering from fibromyalgia must have pain in at least 11 of them.

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Symptoms Associated With Fibromyalgia

While long-lasting pain that seems to affect every portion of your body is the main symptom of fibromyalgia, our patients at Gorbach Family Chiropractic have reported experiencing some of the following symptoms:

1. Muscle spasms
2. Feeling tired all the time
3. Difficulty sleeping
4. Headaches
5. Achy sensation that is usually worse in the morning
6. Digestive problems
7. Problems tolerating minor changes in heat and cold
8. Anxiety or depression
9. Difficulty remembering day-to-day tasks
10. Frequent feelings of having to go to the bathroom

Fibromyalgia isn't the only condition that has been found to cause the symptoms listed above. This condition is often grouped with two other conditions that produce similar symptoms, but have many different causes; lupus and chronic fatigue syndrome. These conditions can be thought of as the rungs on a ladder, the higher you go the more severe they get. On this ladder, fibromyalgia would be the bottom rung, chronic fatigue syndrome would be the middle, and lupus would be at the top. With all of these conditions being more common in females and producing symptoms that mimic each other, it can be hard to differentiate them. However, lupus is believed to be caused by an autoimmune disorder and fibromyalgia seems to be related to stress and disturbances in a person's metabolism.

The relationship between fibromyalgia, stress, and metabolism can be confusing. Basically, a person who is under chronic stress creates conditions that result in less blood flowing to certain areas in the brain. Typically, the lack of blood flow affects an area of the brain called the pituitary gland, which is extremely important in secreting a specific set of hormones that regulate metabolism and stress responses. When these hormones are not secreted properly, the many symptoms associated with fibromyalgia begin to appear.

Since the majority of people tend to experience pain throughout the muscles in their bodies, it is important to discuss the changes that occur there. The key factor that is thought to be responsible for the muscle discomfort experienced with fibromyalgia is ground substance. Ground substance is exactly what it sounds like, a material that is found in almost all of the structures in the body and is responsible for the tissue's strength, healing, and regeneration. When one of these tissues is typically damaged, this substance is converted into whatever is required to stimulate the healing process. Due to a lack of healing and conversion, this substance builds up in its tissue causing the trigger points, muscle tightness, and pain associated with fibromyalgia.

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Is Chiropractic a Treatment for Fibromyalgia?

As mentioned earlier, muscle tightness and spasms are one of the main clinical features of fibromyalgia. Since muscles have a large role in holding the spine in its proper position, it is easy to imagine the effects this condition can have on the back. As the muscles become tight and overwork, they pull on the spine. Since the spine can only adapt so much, it eventually starts to lose its normal motion and functionality. One of the major roles of the spine is maintaining the proper function of the nervous system, and it just so happens that one of the major functions of the nervous system is controlling the function of the muscles. You can begin to see the disastrous cycle that begins to develop with fibromyalgia. Once this cycle is out of control, patients begin to suffer many of the aforementioned symptoms.

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How Often Do People Have Fibromyalgia Flare Ups?

Again, this varies from person to person. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, so the symptoms come and go, depending on factors such as a person’s overall physical and emotional health. There are other triggers that may cause flare-ups to occur more frequently or severely. These triggers include weather changes, hormonal imbalances, traveling, diet or lack of sleep. People can avoid triggers as much as possible by paying attention to what causes their flare-ups and adjusting problematic behaviors or habits accordingly.

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How to Treat Fibromyalgia

Although there is no cure for fibromyalgia, pain management can be achieved through chiropractic care combined with physical therapy or other complementary health treatments, such as massage therapy and acupuncture.

Because fibromyalgia sufferers experience neck, back, and joint pain, chiropractic adjustments can help to manipulate the joints and soothe the muscles in a way that offers quick, natural, effective pain relief in a way that pain relievers simply can’t.

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Chiropractor in Comstock Park MI for Fibromyalgia Treatment

Our chiropractor serves the Comstock Park, MI area, and is highly knowledgeable and experienced in treating individuals who are suffering from fibromyalgia. The best way to learn about the healing benefits of chiropractic care and how it can ease the pain of your chronic fibromyalgia is to come and try us out for yourself.

Call today and we’ll be happy to arrange an appointment for a consultation at your convenience. We look forward to meeting you and to helping to relieve your pain!

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Call Gorbach Family Chiropractic today to schedule an appointment!