If you are new to having fibromyalgia or are wondering if your symptoms may be related to this syndrome, we are going to provide you with a fibromyalgia symptoms checklist. Remember that this checklist isn’t designed to be able to diagnose your condition. We just want to help you understand the varying signs that can indicate fibromyalgia. Then we will discuss a natural therapy that has been providing hope of improved quality of life for some patients. 

In order to make the symptoms easier to understand, we are breaking them down into three categories:

1. Pain and tender points 
2. Cognitive symptoms (fibro fog) 
3. Sensory sensitivities  

The Pain and Tender Points of Fibromyalgia 

The first stop on your fibromyalgia systems checklist has to relate to pain. This is what the syndrome is popular for. But it isn’t all generic pain. Here are some of the things to watch out for or to expect. 

• Widespread pain – The pain of fibromyalgia can occur anywhere throughout the body. Sometimes you may feel aches and pains in your joints and muscles or just a general malaise. 
• Fibromyalgia trigger points – There are 18 points on the body that are considered diagnostic for fibromyalgia pain, at least according to older standards. Four of these tender points are in the neck, and another ten are in proximity to the spine. It is just the two in the elbows and knees not located along the spinal column.
• Headaches or migraines – Headaches or migraines may become chronic when a person has fibromyalgia.  

The Fibromyalgia Symptoms Checklist – Fibro Fog Symptoms 

The cognitive symptoms can be among the most difficult to cope with if you are living with fibromyalgia. Here are some of the indicators of this symptom series known as fibro fog. 

• Recall issues – Memory problems can plague a fibromyalgia patient.
• Concentration and focus problems
• General confusion
• Mental fatigue
• Inhibited motivation – Remember that fibromyalgia patients are also more likely to suffer from depression, so if you struggle with motivation issues, speak with your doctor to see if depression may be playing a role. 
• Balance or coordination issues 

Sensory and Miscellaneous Symptoms 

We’re going to look at a few sensory symptoms and then lump the rest of the symptoms together because the indicators of fibromyalgia are too diverse to fit into just three categories. First of all, here are a few sensory issues you may experience.

• Problems with bright lights or glare 
• Issues with loud or repeating sounds
• Symptom flare-ups due to strong scents 
• Sensitivity to touch 

What are some other more general symptoms included on your fibromyalgia symptoms checklist? 

• Food sensitivities
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Insomnia or other sleep problems
• IBS and other gastrointestinal issues
• Depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders 

The sheer extent of the possible symptoms makes this syndrome challenging to diagnose and may cause two patients to experience very different symptoms and responses to care. If you are looking for a natural way to find help for your fibromyalgia symptoms, is there a reliable place to turn? We would like to introduce you to upper cervical chiropractic care. 

What Is Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic? 

Upper cervical chiropractic is a specific form of care that involves precise and gentle adjustments of the top two vertebrae in the neck – the C1 and C2. These vertebrae can have a direct effect on the central nervous system, including brainstem function and cerebral blood flow. Therefore, keeping these two bones in proper alignment is critical if you have a condition that affects the CNS like fibromyalgia. 

Here are some of the things you should know about upper cervical specific chiropractic:

• Focused – We’re only interested in the C1 and C2. Since spine health flows from the top down and these are the two bones at the base of the skull, the focus is on precision alignment and then allowing the body to heal on its own.
• Precise – X-rays are taken to get a three-dimensional look at the location of your C1 and C2 vertebrae. Then, the practitioner uses calculations to provide a personalized adjustment.
• Gentle – Corrections only move the bones by factions of a millimeter. Therefore, there is no swift twisting motion or popping sound. Low force corrections are long-lasting and give the body the time it needs in order to heal.

This may sound like something you would be interested in trying. However, how can it help improve quality of life for someone with fibromyalgia?   

Upper Cervical Chiropractic and Fibromyalgia 

The C1 and C2 vertebrae surround and protect the brainstem. They balance the weight of the head. They also help to facilitate blood flow to the brain. If you are dealing with neurological symptoms – basically everything on the fibromyalgia symptoms checklist lands in that category – you want to be sure these two bones don’t move out of position by even the tiniest degree. An upper cervical chiropractor can help you by providing the precise and gentle adjustments you need. 

For patients living with fibromyalgia, the safe and gentle adjustments of upper cervical chiropractic may provide just the natural benefits you’ve been looking for. To learn more, schedule a consultation with a practitioner in your area. This can help you to make an informed decision as to whether this specific type of chiropractic care would be best for you. The search feature on this site can help you to locate a preferred doctor in your region.

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