Blogs by Dr. Means
How to Ensure Quality Sleep Despite Fibromyalgia
For someone suffering from fibromyalgia and neck pain, having a quality sleep might sound like just a dream, but it isn’t really. With a sprinkle of preparation, a healthy lifestyle, and regular therapy or self-care, it is possible! A Little Background About Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a lingering disorder that causes widespread pain, as well as fatigue, sleep, and mood issues. Pain occurs in approximately 18 tender points on the body. These tender points are specific areas that hurt when you apply pressure on them. The exact and actual cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, but a combination of factors [...]
Why Do Athletes’ Hands Fall Asleep?
Have you ever experienced sleeping hands or lost sensation on your arms, hands, and fingers? Many pro athletes like marathon runners, rowers, archers, rock climbers and swimmers report the same problem. Notably, most of these individuals seek the help of a therapist, neurologist, or cervical chiropractor. That’s because their numbing sensation often comes hand in hand with tingling in the arms, muscle weakness, and burning feeling on the fingers. So, what exactly do these symptoms indicate? How can patients cope better? Sleeping Hands: A Sign of Nerve Pinching in the Hand Many patients who seek a cervical chiropractor or [...]
Why Vertigo and Inner Ear Problems Go Hand in Hand
Finding vertigo relief through conventional or allopathic means can be a frustrating journey, mostly because vertigo isn’t a condition but a symptom. Thankfully, medical breakthroughs reveal a lot of interesting findings, such as the fact that vertigo episodes often stem from an inner ear problem. As you may remember from your basic anatomy classes, the ears do not only perceive sounds. Instead, it also plays a crucial role in detecting motion and orientation changes in your body. Let’s help you jog your memory on inner ear anatomy and physiology and understand the inner ear’s relationship with your spinning sensations. [...]
Fibromyalgia or Rheumatoid Arthritis: What Do You Have?
Waking up with unbearable pain all over the body is a horrible way to start a day. Unfortunately, if you have either rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia, there is a fifty-fifty chance that you will experience this every single day. To cope, you definitely need to know which of the two conditions you have (or if you have both). This will help you seek the right professionals for help, like a fibromyalgia chiropractic practitioner, physical therapist, or rheumatologist. Can you distinguish which is which? What are the hallmark signs of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia? And how can they impact your day-to-day [...]
The Story of a Delayed Spacewalk Due to a Pinched Nerve
Mark Vande Hei, a flight engineer for several ISS explorations, recently made the news after his scheduled spacewalk with another colleague got delayed for a medical condition. It turns out they had to move the task to a later date because of a pinched nerve, a widespread problem that affects millions worldwide. But what exactly is it? Why did Mark have to delay his 6.5-hour spacewalk because of a seemingly minor problem? Can a pinched nerve in the neck cause dizziness? How can it affect the body? Read our discussion below to learn more about pinched nerves and how they [...]
When Migraines Get in the Way of Your Routine
You’re supposed to go out and have fun today. But, unexpectedly, a terrible migraine episode starts, and you know what happens next. You have migraine and neck pain that leaves you wincing for hours. The light from your screen and the windows make you feel uncomfortable. And to make things worse, you feel like throwing up. If it’s any consolation to you, about 39 million Americans have the same plight. Millions of patients seek care and management techniques like upper cervical chiropractic and aromatherapy to help them enjoy some semblance of a normal and pain-free life. But are these methods [...]
Avoid These 7 Triggers of Fibromyalgia Flares
Imagine getting hit on the hand with a stick. Now think of the pain and extend it all over your body. This is what a person with chronic Fatigue has to deal with daily. Only the painful sensation that fibromyalgia patients experience doesn’t go away. This condition often drives patients to find alternative methods for relief, like upper cervical chiropractic care and essential oils for fibromyalgia. Aside from muscular pain, people with fibromyalgia may experience the following symptoms: Fatigue Migraines Sleeping disturbances Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Cognitive problems or fibro fog (poor concentration and short-term memory) Facial, jaw, and neck [...]
Common Vertigo-Causing Conditions and Their Natural Remedy
Nobody wants to wake up in the morning and experience spinning sensations even after a long and healthy sleep. It's so horrible and disorienting that it can completely throw you off and affect your entire day. If you have been experiencing vertigo for quite a while, you must identify its root cause. This way, you can choose which among the common home remedies for vertigo you should try. Check out the different health conditions and other factors that cause or worsen a vertigo attack. We also shared the leading natural remedy used to relieve even the most chronic vertigo episode. [...]
Migraine and Neck Pain: A Debilitating Combo
Nothing is crueler than having a migraine and neck pain at the same time. Instead of attending to your usual chores at home or office, you end up dealing with the pain. Imagine how better things would be if you have go-to remedies that deliver results. With this situation in mind, we thought of sharing our knowledge on migraine and neck pain and how you can reduce your symptoms. Before we go into the nitty-gritty parts of the promising methods for relief, let’s look at some fascinating facts about migraines and the neck. Interesting facts about migraine and the [...]
Fibromyalgia’s Central Nervous System Origins
Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes pain in a person’s body. Those who suffer from this ailment have aching joints and muscles, making them feel tired all day. Some find temporary respite by taking pain relievers while others still complain about the aches even after getting medication. When people fail to avoid the fibromyalgia triggers, they go into long periods of suffering that makes them feel hopeless or discouraged. People who suffer from this debilitating condition often have: Indigestion Insomnia Fatigue Cognitive problems or a so-called “brain fog” Restless leg syndrome Rapid eye movement (REM) during sleep The disease is [...]