Why Fibromyalgia is a Neurological Disorder

why-fibromyalgia-is-a-neurological-disorder

Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition that significantly hinders your ability to enjoy daily life and accomplish your daily routines. Over 4 million people in the United States have fibromyalgia. As a result, this condition can disrupt people from doing what they love to do. It can limit the quality time spent with family and friends.

Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Here are some of the most common and well-known symptoms of fibromyalgia:

  • All-Over Pain

Fibromyalgia causes widespread, chronic, and dull aches all across the body. 

  • Cognitive Problems

It is sometimes called fibro fog. It also includes difficulty concentrating or a hard time paying attention. Also, there is an issue with thinking and memory.

  • Fatigue

People with fibromyalgia have a tough time sleeping. The sleep interruption can be due to pain and other disorders such as restless leg syndrome. 

  • Anxiety and Depression

People always worry and fear when the next attack would appear. When the pain and other health problems commence, they see and experience their fears and nightmares realized. Most are in a constant battle with little hope of healing.

Fibromyalgia: A Problem in Pain Processing

People with fibromyalgia process pain differently compared to those without the condition. The nervous system manages the sending and receiving of signals (including pain) between the entire body and the brain. The central nervous system (CNS) is consists of the spinal cord and the brain. The nerves that branch off from the CNS assemble to form the peripheral nervous system. These nerves give functions like sensation, movement, and more, to every part of the body. These functions include conscious actions like walking or lifting objects, and involuntary actions that happen without thinking, like how the brain interprets sensations such as cold, heat, and pain. 

The nervous system manages all of the body’s life-giving functions. It means the nervous system is highly valuable. Therefore, this explains how the body protects the delicate nervous system by encasing all the vital parts with the hardest and most durable body parts available – the bones. The skull protects the brain. The vertebrae of the spine surround the spinal cord, shielding it to ensure that signals reach and exit the body and the brain without interference. 

If a subluxation (slight misalignment or partial dislocation) happens in the upper cervical spine, specifically the atlas or axis bones, it can cause several health issues. In this part of the neck, it houses a vital part of the CNS, the brainstem. The brainstem controls various involuntary functions of the body. Also, it is the central relay station for signals and messages from the body and brain. The brainstem maintains the pain processing function, and the pain signals should get to the brain and become interpreted correctly. However, a misalignment in the upper cervical spine causes the abnormal processing of pain signals.

What Causes Misalignment?

Upper cervical chiropractors know very well the functions of the central nervous system. They understand the importance of a properly functioning nervous system. They also recognize that if signals become misinterpreted, it can be the start of an array of health problems, including fibromyalgia. They focus on the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae. These bones are components of a unique region of the spine. These vertebrae support the head's weight. Each uniquely-shaped bone allows a wide range of head movements. As a result of these unusual shapes and functions, they are prone to misalignment. The following can cause misalignments to occur:

  • Car accidents
  • Head and neck trauma or injuries
  • Tripping, slipping, sliding, and falling incidents
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions

Safe Fibromyalgia Care With Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on keeping the bones of the upper spine or neck aligned. The optimal health of the whole spine is highly dependent on how adequately aligned the uppermost vertebra is. 

Therefore, a misalignment in the upper cervical spine can cause severe implications. First, it irritates the brainstem. Thus, it would disrupt the proper flow of cerebrospinal fluid and blood between the neck and head. Second, the brainstem malfunctions, leading to irregular hormone production and abnormal processing of pain. 

Knowing that people with fibromyalgia can experience significant improvement from a natural, simple, and effective procedure is a massive deal for anyone coping with crippling and life-affecting symptoms for any period. If an atlas subluxation is an underlying cause or reason for worsening fibromyalgia symptoms, upper cervical chiropractors can correct this with gentle, safe, and precise correction. 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic’s Success in Fibromyalgia Management

There have been many very hopeful and fruitful research results surrounding upper cervical chiropractic care. Let’s take a look at  how it helped fibromyalgia patients achieve healing:

  • A clinical study involved a 45-year older woman who experienced fibromyalgia for 11 years. Her symptoms also included chronic neck pain, sciatica, ulcers, depression, and migraines. Her history showed she suffered two traumas and several car accidents. She had an upper cervical misalignment. Upon receiving upper cervical care, the patient experienced a resolution of her fibromyalgia symptoms and most of her health-related complaints.
  • Another clinical study involved a 36-year old female who suffered from fibromyalgia symptoms. She had post-traumatic fibromyalgia after she had a motor vehicle accident. She responded positively to a combination of upper cervical care and physical therapy.
  • A fibromyalgia patient aged 32-years old suffered from pain, extreme fatigue, and depression. In this clinical study, the patient experienced a rapid decline in her vitality and health. So, after two years, she went to an upper cervical chiropractor for help. Then, upon her examination, the doctor discovered she had a misalignment in her atlas (C1) vertebra. She received adjustments eight times throughout her visits and upper cervical care. Finally, the patient reported an absolute resolution of her fibromyalgia symptoms.

Seek the advice of an upper cervical doctor near you to get the same results as the studies above. Take that first step towards fibromyalgia relief and complete freedom from pain and other health problems.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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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.

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