Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition. However, unlike chronic pain conditions like arthritis which involves inflammation, fibromyalgia seems to stem from the central nervous system (CNS). The bad news is, that means most pain medications will be ineffective, especially opioids. The good news is that you may be able to find natural relief by acquiring support for your CNS in a safe and gentle manner. We’re going to take a closer look at a couple of case studies involving chronic health problems. Then we will discuss how you may be able to find similar relief and improved quality of life by means of a natural therapy.
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and 2 Case Studies
Before we go any further, it is important to acknowledge that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue are different conditions. This is despite the fact that they have some common symptoms. On the other hand, both conditions appear have something to do with the CNS, so it makes sense that some natural therapies may provide benefits for both conditions. One such therapy is upper cervical chiropractic care. Consider the following two case studies:
- A 32-year-old female with fibromyalgia went to an upper cervical chiropractor and discovered that she had an atlas misalignment. Gentle and safe adjustments corrected the misalignment. Her fibromyalgia went into complete remission. How could this be? Upper cervical misalignments are due to inhibited blood flow to the brain as well as reduced brainstem function. Both of these can be contributing factors to many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
- 19 patients with chronic fatigue syndrome were part of a case study that scored their quality of life before and after receiving upper cervical chiropractic care. What were the results? The patients had mental health scores improve from 46.4 out of 100 to 68.8. Overall health improved from an average score of 30.3 to 55.6. This represents about 50% improvement in health across the board for the 19 patients, an improvement rarely found by any type of medication when a person has chronic fatigue syndrome.
The Upper Cervical Chiropractic Difference
Upper cervical chiropractic is a little-known subspecialty in the field, so many first-time patients want to know the difference before coming in for their first visit. Here are a few ways that upper cervical chiropractic differs from general chiropractic.
- Precision – Upper cervical care usually begins with a patient history and examination to ensure you are a good candidate for care. Then diagnostic imaging measures the precise position of your atlas. We’re talking about hundredths of a degree. Since the atlas balances the head, fractions of a millimeter can make a difference. The measurements allow the practitioner to calculate a custom adjustment to fit your specific needs.
- Safe and Gentle – The last thing you need when are already in constant pain is someone to be jerking your spine and other joints around. Upper cervical adjustments are low force, which makes them safe for patients of varying ages and health levels.
- As-Needed – This is what makes upper cervical chiropractic so cost-effective. At the beginning of each appointment, a physical examination will reveal if your previous adjustment held. If it has, you won’t be adjusted again. The longer your adjustments hold, the further apart you can schedule your appointments. Some patients can even feel when the atlas is back out of alignment and just come in a few times a year for an adjustment. Anytime you are dealing with a chronic health condition, medical expenses can build up, so cost-effective forms of healthcare are often appreciated greatly.
How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Supports the Central Nervous System
Now that you have a better idea of what we do, it is time to take a closer look at why it can help with conditions that affect the CNS. Here are three important reasons:
- Brainstem function – The brainstem is surrounded and protected by the atlas (top bone in the spine). Even the slightest of misalignments can affect how the brainstem is functioning. This can have total body effects because the brainstem receives the messages that come from the entire body via the spinal cord.
- Cerebral blood flow – The cervical spine facilitates blood flow to the brain. So when the vertebrae become misaligned, that can lead to reduced blood and oxygen making it to certain parts of the brain. Again, this can have effects on the entire body. The atlas is the most important bone to keep in alignment because it balances the head. The body responds to even the slightest misalignment by adjusting the rest of the spine and the surrounding soft tissue.
- Intracranial pressure – Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage can be inhibited by a misaligned atlas. This can lead to CSF pooling in the head, thereby increasing intracranial pressure. For the CNS to function optimally, this pressure needs to be relieved, and correcting the misalignment can accomplish that.
If you are suffering from fibromyalgia and are tired of all of the medications that provide meager benefits with tons of side effects, then it just makes sense to give upper cervical chiropractic care a try. This holistic approach offers better overall CNS function, which may help with your condition and, at the very least, should offer improved quality of life. To learn more, contact a practitioner in your area to schedule a consultation.
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