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Fibromyalgia is a complex physiological condition that ischaracterized by chronic widespread pain throughout the body. It isa poorly understood condition in both its cause and finding aneffective fibromyalgia treatment is frustrating for many people.The clinical diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based exclusively uponsymptomatology, meaning that the experience of pain and reportedsymptoms are still the primary methods of diagnosis.
As of now, there are no specific tests that are used to detectfibromyalgia, making it an “invisible” condition. Sincefibromyalgia is not visible on an MRI, identifiable in a bloodtest, or measurable objectively, most fibromyalgia treatments arefocused on symptom management rather than finding and fixing thecause. Chiropractic doctors who focus on the upper cervical spinehave identified overlooked structural injuries in fibromyalgiapatients that provide hope for safe, natural, and conservativefibromyalgia treatment.
Traditionally, fibromyalgia was diagnosed by the presence of 11or more “tender spots” spread throughout the body. Currentguidelines have been expanded to include widespread pain lastingmore than three months also including fatigue, irritability, andmood changes, and no clear underlying cause or clear fibromyalgiatreatment. Many patients who receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis haveundergone extensive and costly testing with no real answerspertaining to the cause of their pain and dysfunction.
This leads to frustration, mounting healthcare costs, and oftenthe sentiment that the pain is “all in your head.” Current researchis identifying immune system biomarkers that can be measured in thebloodstream of patients with fibromyalgia, but it is uncertain ifthese molecules are causing pain or simply a byproduct of chronicpain. As such, this information currently does not aid in guidingfibromyalgia treatment.
While there are no widely understood causes of fibromyalgia,there are certain physiological processes that happen infibromyalgia that are well understood and may shed light onconservative and effective fibromyalgia treatment. One of theseprocesses is a hypersensitivity of the nervous system that resultsin a higher pain perception, known as “central sensitization.”Sources including the Mayo Clinic report that fibromyalgia appearsto be linked to the way that the brain and spinal cord transmit andprocess pain signals.
As the “electrical communicating system of the body” the centralnervous system serves several vital functions that may becomedisrupted in fibromyalgia patients. The human body is full ofvarious types of sensors that are continually scanning the organs,muscles, and tissues of the body in order to detect changes in thebody’s environment - both on the inside and outside. There aresensors to detect chemicals, pressure, temperature, and positionalchanges to name a few. Most fibromyalgia treatments are focuses onblocking signals from sensors within the body throughpharmaceutical drugs.
All the information detected by these sensors is then sent backto the brain through networks of nerves that all converge to thespinal cord and travel upward to the brain for processing. Beforeentering the brain, these nerve signals are processed in a regionof the central nervous system called the brainstem, which islocated in the spine at the junction between the head and upperneck.
The brainstem operates like the “switchboard” of the centralnervous system by relaying these signals to the appropriate part ofthe brain for interpretation. Once these specific nerve signalsreach the appropriate part of the brain, the information that theycarry is interpreted and an appropriate response is issued so thatthe body can maintain a high level of adaptability to changes inits environment.
Consider the following example to illustrate this point and howit applies to fibromyalgia treatment:
Each home has an electrical service that ensures that each room,light, and feature of the house is adequately supplied. Theelectrical wires of the house carry signals from the transformer onthe outside of the house to the interior fixtures, appliances, andsockets to be used for the full functionality and enjoyment of thehouse. Inside the house is a fuse box which is the relay stationbetween the high-powered transformer outside and the individualcircuits inside.
The fuse box contains fuses that modulate electrical energy toensure that the right amount gets through to each part of thehouse. For example, a washing machine requires more electricalenergy than a ceiling fan, and so the fuse box is set up to ensurethat each circuit contains just enough electrical energy to meetthose demands. Too little energy and the appliance won’t work, toomuch energy and there is a risk of an unsafe situation such asdamage to the appliance or a fire.
In the same way, the brainstem modulates the information comingfrom the body to the brain and then from the brain back to the bodyto ensure that each muscle, tissue, and organ receive the rightamount of nerve energy for its function. Fibromyalgia patientsexperience increased pain sensations when there is a disruption ofthe nerve energy between the brain and the body leading to chronicpain, fatigue, muscle aches, hormone irregularity, and more.
In order to consider appropriate fibromyalgia treatment, it isimportant to consider situations that may be impacting theperformance of the central nervous system, especially in thebrainstem region. The upper neck, also known as the upper cervicalspine or craniocervical junction, is the most mobile part of thespine. As such it is susceptible to injury from forces such asslips, falls, automobile accidents, sports injuries, and more.
When the alignment of this part of the spine becomescompromised, mechanical irritation can be transmitted to thesurrounding tissues including the brainstem. This irritation may bethe cause of the hypersensitivity of the nervous system that isproducing chronic pain in fibromyalgia patients. Upper cervicalsubluxation is the condition involving mechanical displacement ofthe junction between the head and neck and its nerve systemcomplications and maybe the appropriate fibromyalgia treatment forsome people.
Patients who are exploring their fibromyalgia treatment optionsshould consider the structural component of their overallcondition. Without appropriate detection and intervention,fibromyalgia sufferers may miss a critical component of aconservative and natural solution for dealing with their chronicpain. The Blair Upper Cervical chiropractic technique is aspecialized system of evaluating and correcting the upper cervicalspine without twisting, popping, or cracking the neck. To consultwith a qualified Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Doctor, searchour directory for a Doctor near you or request a consultation toreceive a call from one of our Doctors.
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