Are you constantly tired and in pain but can't pinpoint the reason? Have you been struggling with symptoms like poor concentration, upset stomach, neck pain, and depression? Chances are you have fibromyalgia – a neurological condition that affects up to 10 million Americans. Many people with this condition report several debilitating symptoms and associated health concerns, and they are clueless why they are stuck in such an unpleasant situation. Do you happen to be in the same boat?
This article will help you understand fibromyalgia and its symptoms better, plus its connection to postural problems like an atlas subluxation. Hopefully, this will help shed light on your best option to cope and lead a healthy life.
Table of Contents
Anyone officially diagnosed with fibromyalgia understands the complexity of the condition, especially the additional health problems it causes. Notably, fibromyalgia often comes hand in hand with gut health problems and chronic fatigue syndrome. It's also seen to co-occur with atlas subluxation – a postural issue that arises from neck or head trauma or poor posture. Let's look into the four problems separately to help you understand the severity of your situation:
Case studies explain that fibromyalgia is a neurological condition that usually stems from a central sensitization or an overactive nervous system. It sets off a long list of symptoms, including widespread body pain, muscle weakness, tiredness, sleeping difficulties, neck pain, upset stomach, and fibro-fog. It's a condition more prevalent among women and affects a broad spectrum of age groups. It also causes significant disabilities that might prevent patients from working and even performing even the simplest tasks.
CFS and fibromyalgia have several overlapping symptoms, confusing some people who haven't received an official diagnosis from their doctors. Some also assume that they're basically the same condition. However, studies have long proven that CFS and fibromyalgia are indeed separate health problems. Their main difference lies in their key mechanisms. CFS develops from metabolism problems, while fibromyalgia stems from a central nervous system gone haywire.
Digestive health problems rarely cross people's minds when they think of CFS or fibromyalgia. That's because both conditions only seem to affect one's energy and pain perception. Sadly, case studies note that both issues can upset the delicate balance of bacteria and other microorganisms that comprise your gut flora and fauna. Here are what researchers say about the connection between gut health, CFS, and fibromyalgia:
C1 or atlas subluxation is a common postural problem that arises from blunt force trauma to the head or neck. It can also develop from repetitive motion injuries typical in some occupations, like assembly line workers, truck drivers, and heavy machine operators. Unfortunately, atlas subluxation can easily lead to chronic conditions like CFS and fibromyalgia. That’s because the postural misalignment caused by the displaced C1 and C2 bones puts pressure on the nervous system, particularly the brainstem. This leads to a chain of events impacting things like energy metabolism, pain and stress perception, and even balance and proprioception. Some case studies also note that changes in the cervical spine can also impact gut health. The pressure from the misaligned neck bones can also cause vagus nerve compression – a neurological problem that can activate the flight or fight mode of the brain and agitate the digestive system. 
Atlas subluxation might be the last thing in mind when considering the root cause of chronic symptoms or conditions like those we discussed above. However, a surmounting amount of evidence suggests that it could be the key to unlocking a different level of body healing. Naturally, by helping your atlas and axis bone ease back into their original places, you can remove the unnecessary strain and compression on your nervous system. This, in turn, can restore the normal flow of brain chemicals needed to help the body repair damaged tissues and improve overall function. If you suspect having neck bone misalignments or if you have a long history of physical trauma affecting your neck and head, it would help to seek an upper cervical doctor. The sooner you can assess your neck bones, the quicker you can start a care regimen to help your body heal and function better.
Many people who live with fibromyalgia, CFS and even gut health issues have found hope and healing after seeking an upper cervical doctor. Hence, it may be worthwhile to consider this path to managing your condition. If you would like to learn more about the applications of upper cervical care, we recommend browsing through the extensive references in Upper Cervical Awareness. It covers several topics, including CFS, fibromyalgia, and neck bone misalignments. Feel free to read through the discussions and find the help you need to lead a happy and content life. Additionally, we suggest browsing the Upper Cervical Awareness Doctors Directory to find a nearby practice where you can get assessed by a board-certified chiropractic professional.
to schedule a consultation today.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
