First, let’s talk about what fibromyalgia really is. Then we will see how it may be related to cardiovascular disease and where you can find reliable help.
Fibromyalgia, often abbreviated FM, is a chronic disorder, meaning it is long-term. It is known to cause widespread pain throughout the entire body, including the muscles and bones. It also is associated with tender spots throughout the body and a general feeling of extreme tiredness. These symptoms are referred to as being subjective. This means they cannot be verified or measured by any test, often leading to FM being misdiagnosed as another condition.
Because there is no way to confirm or deny its existence, some doctors doubt its validity. It is definitely becoming more widely accepted than ever before, but some doctors and researchers do not consider FM a real condition. This often causes those suffering from it to become depressed because they cannot get answers or even find help for their condition.
The good news is that researchers are closer than ever to understanding this mysterious condition, which could help stigma about it to begin to disappear. Previously, doctors had concerns that patients would use it to manipulate doctors into prescribing pain medications that were unnecessary. However, that fear is going away as a lifestyle change is now the preferred method of care instead of medications.
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Fibromyalgia consists of certain areas of tenderness in the body called trigger points. A trigger point is an area of your body that reads even a light touch as painful. In the past, there were 18 specific points used to diagnose someone with fibromyalgia. However, this is not longer the case. The pain from these trigger points is usually referred to as a dull, constant ache that affects many parts of the body. If you have had this type of pain for at least 3 months, doctors will most likely diagnose you with FM. Some other symptoms you may experience are:
These symptoms are believed to be caused by the way the brain and nerves are receiving signals from the body and then reacting to them. If they overreact, pain signals ensue and can be traced back to a chemical imbalance in the brain.
When this was a diagnostic criterion, you had to meet 11 out of the 18 trigger points. To test for this, doctors would press firmly on the points to see if they were painful. These trigger points are located in the following areas:
When you have FM, you often experience some symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, heartburn, and heart palpitations. Because this condition is known for widespread pain, these symptoms are often just attributed to FM and not taken seriously as a heart problem. However, researchers in Taiwan have discovered that fibromyalgia patients have a higher risk for heart disease and should have their heart issues taken seriously. The increased risk for heart problems can be inherited or can be caused by FM itself as it progresses. A cause-and-effect relationship has not been found as of yet. An additional study found that those with fibromyalgia are also at risk for having a stroke.
There is a chance that cardiovascular issues may arise due to lack of exercise because of the pain of FM. Lack of exercise leads to weight gain, raises blood pressure and cholesterol, and increases inflammation. Here are some things you can do to improve your heart health:
Fibromyalgia has been linked to a misalignment in the bones of the upper cervical spine, particularly the C1 and C2. These bones were created to protect the brainstem. However, if they happen to misalign due to a blow to the head or neck, whiplash, a sports-related accident, or other trauma, they can actually have a negative impact on the brainstem and cause it to send improper signals to the brain. This may be what causes the brain to think the body is experiencing a lot of pain when it is not really undergoing pain at all.
In order to realign these bones, upper cervical chiropractors use a specialized method that is both gentle and precise. It is not like traditional chiropractic care in that it does not involve popping or cracking of the back or neck. Rather, we use a method that encourages these bones to move back into place naturally. This results in a longer-lasting adjustment, meaning fewer visits to our office in the long run. Many patients that have had an adjustment have seen great improvement in their fibromyalgia symptoms.
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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.
