Having fibromyalgia can be really frustrating. First, you must wait for a long period before doctors can confirm your illness. The process of getting a diagnosis may take months or longer and involve numerous tests to rule out other conditions.
Second, once doctors have recognized your chronic condition, you are often left with only a few solutions to relieve your symptoms.
Despite these disappointing things, fibromyalgia patients should never lose hope. There is a silver lining after all. This article will talk about a piece of good news for fibromyalgia patients— upper cervical chiropractic, a form of care that many patients certify as a success.
A recent case study showed proof that upper cervical chiropractic care could offer relief for people with fibromyalgia. Researchers monitored a 31-year-old woman with fibromyalgia. They also suspected that the woman had lupus or multiple sclerosis. These conditions lead to more complications in her body.
She had multiple symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, and weakness. She also experienced dizziness and general balance issues that required her to have aid while walking. At some point, doctors told her she needed a wheelchair.
They discovered that the woman had serious car accidents on three different occasions. She had symptoms of back pain and headaches after her first accident. The other symptoms showed after her other two separate accidents.
Following examinations and x-rays, doctors revealed she had an upper cervical misalignment. It came as no surprise as she had a high left shoulder and right tilt to her head posture. Upper cervical chiropractors later adjusted her upper cervical vertebrae. She was able to walk on her own again as soon as her atlas bone began to return in its correct position.
After six months of full care, the woman was able to restore her quality of life. She was able to exercise again. The woman also reported a dramatic decrease in her pain levels and muscle spasms.
Researchers from the said study explained that the patient improved her fibromyalgia after upper cervical chiropractic care because the correction of misalignment eliminated the pressure in the brainstem. It was disrupting the function of the central nervous system (CNS).
Without a doubt, a misalignment in the top of the neck affects the function of the CNS. The following are the major contributors:
The cervical spine enables blood flow to the brain by permitting the flow between the vertebral foramen, the small loops of bone on each vertebra. The vertebral arteries move through these loops while carrying oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Even the slightest misalignment in the neck could alter the proper blood flow, leading to issues within the CNS functions.
A misalignment in the upper cervical spine also changes the cerebrospinal fluid flow (CSF). Upright MRIs can detect the disruption in the CSF drainage. Increased intracranial pressure and buildup of fluid are the likely results of the inability of the CSF to drain well. In short, the improperly aligned atlas can negatively impact the functions of the whole body.
The brainstem interprets the incoming and outgoing messages between the body and the brain via the spinal cord. All signals from the brain and body travel through the brainstem. The atlas serves as a protective cover-up in the conjunction of the brainstem and spinal cord. When the atlas gets misaligned even to the smallest degree, it could result in pressure on parts of the brainstem. Also, disruption in the communication systems of the body can ensue.
After understanding how the correct alignment of the upper cervical spine influences the optimal function of the central nervous system, it surely becomes clear that correcting any misalignments in the neck would help improve the health of fibromyalgia patients.
NUCCA is a gentle and safe way of correcting upper cervical misalignments and bringing back the balance to the body. No twisting, cracking or popping of the spine happens in the NUCCA method.
Upper cervical chiropractors who practice the NUCCA technique can bring different experiences to patients. The most common result is the reduction in symptoms due to the healing that begins within the body.
While recovery can make patients experience some fatigue and a little soreness in the neck, great results will become apparent after only one or two visits. Patients can feel their adjustments starting to hold longer.
The body then begins to heal, and the adjustments stabilize. After this, patients can have lesser appointments, which means lower costs for patients.
Upper cervical chiropractors educate patients and offer ways to help maximize every adjustment. If you or a friend of yours have fibromyalgia or other chronic conditions, recommend them to receive the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. It could be their first step toward relief from the nagging pain of fibromyalgia.
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.