Fibromyalgia is a frustrating condition that causes pain, sleepless nights, and has been linked to increased occurrence of depression and anxiety. Even the diagnosis process is frustrating. Since the symptoms of the condition are very similar to other conditions, diagnosis is often one of exclusion. A person needs to test negative for numerous other conditions before getting a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. That may change in the future thanks to some recent research.
Researchers examined 37 fibromyalgia patients as well as 35 individuals in a control group using MRI technology. When the patients were subjected to painful pressure and sensory stimulation, they see a clear distinction on the MRI. In fact, the results identified fibromyalgia more than 90% of the time. This is very favorable for just about any type of new diagnostic test.
What do these results mean for the future of fibromyalgia? First of all, researchers now have a new direction to go when searching for a better way to diagnose fibromyalgia. Second, seeing the significant difference in neural signatures for those who are dealing with this condition serves to confirm further that fibromyalgia involves changes in the way the central nervous system is functioning. What can cause these neural changes?
When the C1 and C2 see even slight misalignment, the brainstem can receive all the impact, affecting the proper blood flow to the brain. This made some to postulate that fibromyalgia pain could be due to a lack of blood flow to the part of the brain that provides an emotional response to pain or perhaps due to the distortion of the pain signals themselves. As a result, correcting the misalignment may be the first step toward reduced symptoms or condition resolution.
If you are suffering from fibromyalgia, especially if you have ever suffered head or neck trauma, it is definitely worth getting an examination from an upper cervical chiropractor. Adjustments are gentle and upper cervical chiropractors only make it as needed. To learn more, schedule a consultation with a practitioner near you.
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.