Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that has many other symptoms. The goal with fibromyalgia is to find ways to reduce the symptoms experienced and to extend the amount of time between significant symptom flare-ups. This can be accomplished in varying ways. 

Today, we want to consider some outstanding facts and figures about fibromyalgia. This may help you to get a better overall understanding of the condition, which is essential whether you are dealing with this syndrome yourself or you know someone who has it. Many of the statistics cited in this article are from the Arthritis Society. 

At the conclusion of our discussion, we will highlight one way that you may be able to get some help for your symptoms. 

How Many People Have Fibromyalgia?

Approximately 2% of people in Canada have fibromyalgia. That means you are far from alone when it comes to dealing with this complicated health condition. You can rest assured that many others are going through similar symptoms as you, and they may also be facing the same stigma that comes along with a difficult to define health condition.

Who Is Most Likely to Get Fibromyalgia? 

About 80 to 90% of fibromyalgia patients are female. Therefore, it seems that the number one risk factor for this condition is gender. However, that does mean that 10% or more patients are male. If you are a man who is living with fibromyalgia, you may face even greater stigma because of this fact. 

Will Fibromyalgia Cause Permanent Damage to My Joints?

No, fibromyalgia is very different from other pain conditions. Inflammation is not the underlying cause of the pain, and there is no permanent joint damage that is caused by the syndrome. No matter how long a person has fibromyalgia, it won’t cause deformity. However, there are other health conditions that a person may have along with fibromyalgia that could cause this type of issue, so you may need to get tested for things like RA (rheumatoid arthritis), lupus, or AS (ankylosing spondylitis). 

What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia? 

The most well-known symptom of fibromyalgia is the pain that it causes. However, this is far from the only symptom that patients experience. Some of the many debilitating symptoms that are common for fibromyalgia patients include sleep problems, fatigue, concertation and memory issues, headaches, GI problems, sensory sensitivities, and temperature sensitivity. 

Has Health Canada Approved Any Medications for Fibromyalgia? 

The answer is yes, there are two. One is an anticonvulsant medication called pregabalin. The other is an anti-depressant named duloxetine. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may also recommend other medicines besides these two, possibly including a mild pain reliever. Be sure to consult with a physician to determine what medication may be best for your situation. 

Your doctor may also recommend certain types of physical or occupational therapy. These may help to improve your level of independence or how much pain you experience when carrying out typical day to day activities. It can also help you to modify the way in which you work so that you can continue performing a job despite living with more pain than you may have in the past.

Is There Any Way to Manage the Pain at Home?

Yes, but keep in mind that the results vary from person to person, so you may receive different benefits from these lifestyle changes than another person with fibromyalgia. What are some of the things you may want to try?

• Improve your sleep – A few ways to do this include limiting caffeine intake later in the day, quitting smoking, not using electronic devices in bed, and maintaining a quiet and dark room for sleep. 
• Exercise daily – Your doctor can help you to develop an exercise routine that will assist you to maintain a healthy body weight and limber joints without overdoing it and causing a flare-up of symptoms. 
• Eat nutritious foods – Increase the number of veggies and fruits you eat. Choose healthier fats like those found in avocados, nuts, olives, and certain fish. Avoid foods that are high in sugar or that use artificial sweeteners.
• Control your stress levels – You can do this through everything from daily exercise to getting an occasional massage. You may also benefit from a support group that understands your condition and the stigma that you may face as a result of your illness. 

By starting good habits in eating and exercise and eliminating negatives like smoking, you can help yourself to enjoy the best health possible despite living with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia. Is there anything else that you can do to get some natural help?

Searching for Natural Help for Fibromyalgia 

In order to feel your best, you may want to look for help in an alternative direction. Upper cervical chiropractic may be able to help with some of your symptoms if they are related to misalignments of the C1 and C2 vertebrae. 

Upper cervical chiropractic involves precise and gentle adjustments of the C1 and C2. When these misalignments exist, they may result in spinal problems and other health concerns. To learn more about what upper cervical chiropractic is and whether or not you may be a good candidate for care, contact a practitioner in your area today. You can use the search feature on this website to locate a practitioner in your region. Schedule a no-obligation consultation to see if you may potentially have a C1 or C2 misalignment.

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