Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of the most misunderstood conditions that affect people today. If you or a loved one has this condition, knowledge is power. So here are eight things that everyone should know about chronic fatigue syndrome.

#1 Fatigue Is Not the Only Symptom

Some people have the idea that chronic fatigue syndrome just means that a person is tired all the time. However, this is far from being the only symptom. Other CFS symptoms can include body aches and pains as well as brain fog (cognitive symptoms like memory problems and difficulty focusing).

#2 It Can Be Difficult to Get a Diagnosis

There is no one test that can reveal whether a person has chronic fatigue syndrome. As a result, getting a diagnosis can take months or years with many trips to the doctor. Doctors prefer to test for conditions that they can rule out before deciding that your symptoms are actually chronic fatigue syndrome. That means it can also be very expensive getting a diagnosis, even if you have health coverage.

#3 Many CFS Sufferers Never Get a Diagnosis

The Institute of Medicine has stated that an estimated 1 in 7 CFS sufferers presently has a diagnosis. If that is true, there are millions of people suffering from debilitating symptoms who do not know the reason why. If you thought there was a stigma related to having chronic fatigue syndrome, imagine the stigma of always being tired, in pain, and confused without any diagnosis at all.

#4 You May Not Be Tired All the Time

This is one of the major things that people get confused about with chronic fatigue. You may have good days, even several in a row, with few or no symptoms. There are triggers that cause flare-ups, but there are also remission periods. Overdoing it is one of the most common triggers, so pace yourself on your good days to maximize how long remission periods last.

#5 The FDA Has Not Approved a CFS Treatment

In other words, there is no miracle cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. But don’t let that discourage you too much. There are a number of things that you can do to help keep the condition under control. Several alternative therapies help patients sleep better, experience less pain and tiredness, and improve their overall quality of life. There are also some medications that are prescribed to help with specific symptoms.

#6 You Have to Manage Your Energy Reserves Wisely

One of the difficult things about chronic fatigue syndrome is managing the expectations that you and others may place on you while dealing with the restraints placed on your energy levels by the condition. If you always try to meet the demands of those who don’t understand the syndrome, you will only force yourself into greater periods of exhaustion and pain. Instead, learn to offer yourself the self-care you need. Eventually, you will realize that you can’t feel guilty over what you cannot do and you will learn to pace yourself to accomplish the most that you can do.

#7 You Are Your Own Best Advocate

Most doctors don’t understand chronic fatigue syndrome and some still insist that it is not a real condition despite the overwhelming evidence and millions of sufferers. With that in mind, you may have to advocate for yourself to receive the right referrals or tests. Sometimes, a patient may have to find a new primary care physician who is willing to be forward thinking and accept what the modern medicine understands.

#8 Some Patients Have Found Natural Relief

In some case studies, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have seen their quality of life improve after receiving upper cervical care. Of course, these patients benefited had CFS as well as an upper cervical misalignment. So how can you know if this natural therapy is right for you? Here are a few things to consider:

• If you have ever suffered a head or neck injury, you are at higher risk for misalignment.
• Misalignments in the C1 (atlas) don’t have to be very large to cause problems, so don’t assume everything is okay because a primary care doctor or even a general chiropractor didn’t notice a problem.
• Upper cervical chiropractors specialize in the atlas, both finding misalignments as well as correcting them.
• Upper cervical adjustments are gentle – there is none of the twisting or popping you may associate with chiropractic care. This makes the adjustments safe for patients of all health levels and ages.  
• Wear and tear can also lead to misalignment, so don’t write this form of care off simply because you can’t recall an injury in your past.
• Upper cervical chiropractic is cost-effective because once the soft tissue around the atlas stabilizes, you should be able to space your appointments further apart.

If this sounds like something you would like to give a try, then use the search feature on this site to locate one of our preferred doctors in your area. An upper cervical adjustment may be just what you need to get better control over your health.

To see if upper cervical chiropractic can help restore some of your quality of life, schedule a consultation today. Precise measurements combined with gentle adjustments may just set you down the path to long-lasting relief and better overall health.

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