Fibromyalgia is known for causing chronic and widespread pain in the body. However, the debilitating symptoms go beyond the pain. That is why we have developed this comprehensive fibromyalgia symptoms checklist. Be sure to read until the conclusion of the article so we can introduce you to a natural therapy that has reversed the condition for several fibromyalgia patients in case studies. 

Fibromyalgia Symptoms Checklist: Pain Symptoms 

Pain can manifest in several ways for fibromyalgia patients. While your pain levels may not stay the same at all times, you probably experience each of these pain types:

• Widespread aches and pains – From muscle aches to joint pain, fibromyalgia patients can experience mild to severe body pains. 
• Eighteen fibromyalgia tender points – A diagnosis of fibromyalgia usually involves finding tenderness in 11 of 18 points on the body. Most of the points are in proximity to the spine. 
• Migraines or tension headaches – Migraines or headaches, along with neck pain, are very common for people living with fibromyalgia. You may also experience additional neurological symptoms during a migraine, including sensory sensitives, vertigo, mood changes, and visual disturbances. 

Fibromyalgia Symptoms Checklist: Sensory Symptoms 

All of the senses can be affected by fibromyalgia. This is because researchers have related fibromyalgia to a natural process in the body called central sensitization. It is a phenomenon in which the body’s senses are enhanced to allow a person to respond rapidly to an emergency. It’s why you feel so much pain when you touch a hot stove. Fortunately, the pain is not as bad a few seconds after you move your hand. However, while central sensitization should only last for a few moments once the threat is over, the nervous system of a person with fibromyalgia can remain in this enhanced state for long periods. The following are some of the results:

• Light sensitivity – Bright lights can be painful and trigger a symptom flare-up. Glare from computer screens and mobile devices may also contribute.
• Sensitivity to smells – Chemical smells or even strong natural smells may elicit a painful response and lead to a symptom flare-up. 
• Sound sensitivity  – Loud, sudden, or repetitive sounds may be difficult to ignore or even become painful, causing additional symptoms to flare.
• Sensitivity to touch – Even a gentle caress may feel painful, potentially causing strained relationships with loved ones. 

Additionally, you may experience tingling and numbness in your hands and feet, especially when you first wake up in the morning. Food sensitivities are also common for fibromyalgia patients. 

Fibromyalgia Symptoms Checklist: Cognitive Symptoms 

Fibro fog is one of the most debilitating symptom sets that fibromyalgia patients face. These cognitive symptoms can make it difficult to think. Here are some of the symptoms that characterize fibro fog:

• Mental fatigue
• Mental confusion
• Difficulties with focus and concentration 
• Reduced motivation – You should discuss this symptom with a doctor to ensure it is not part of an associated condition such as depression. 
• Difficulty with coordination or balance 
• Memory issues – One study revealed that a fibromyalgia patient could experience the memory equivalent of someone 20 years their senior.

When you look back over our fibromyalgia symptoms checklist, you may see all of the symptoms you are experiencing and more. Of course, several other symptoms can present with fibromyalgia but don’t fit into the categories we’ve discussed, including things like:

• Sleep disturbances
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Mood disorders such as depression or general anxiety 

To find natural relief from this wide array of symptoms, it is essential to understand where all of these many and various indicators of fibromyalgia can come from. Surprisingly to many people, a misalignment in the top two bones of the neck can be responsible for any of the symptoms noted above. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how upper cervical chiropractic care has helped some fibromyalgia patients to break free from their debilitating symptoms. 

Natural Help for People Living with Fibromyalgia 

Upper cervical chiropractors focus their efforts where they matter most for the central nervous system, and that is in the C1 and C2 vertebrae located at the base of the skull. Using precise measurements taken with modern diagnostic imaging techniques and specific calculations, the practitioner can determine an adjustment that is unique to you and can correct misalignments down to fractions of a millimeter. How does correcting an upper cervical misalignment help the central nervous system?

First of all, the brainstem function is vital for everything from sleep to pain processing. When the C1 is misaligned, it can put pressure on the brainstem and inhibit proper function. Second, misaligned cervical vertebrae can inhibit proper blood flow to the brain. This can lead to everything from vertigo and dizziness to pain processing problems and sensory sensitivities. Finally, upper cervical misalignment can cause cerebrospinal fluid to pool in the head and increase intracranial pressure. This can cause the symptoms of fibro fog as well as headaches or migraines. 

Therefore, if you have fibromyalgia, it just makes sense to get your upper cervical alignment checked. Your first visit to an upper cervical specific chiropractor may set you on the path to breaking free from fibromyalgia naturally.

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