Fibromyalgia in Madison, OH

Although fibromyalgia remains a largely misunderstood medical condition, chiropractic care has been shown to benefit those living with the condition. The residents of Painesville, Mentor and surrounding communities in Ohio who live with the condition rely on the specialized expertise of French Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Madison for complementary fibromyalgia treatments.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Although women usually experience fibromyalgia more often than men, symptoms are the same for both genders.

The main symptom is tenderness and pain throughout the soft tissues, including muscles and tendons, and joints. This symptom can range from continuous aching to intermittent episodes or “flare ups” of sudden pain. Additionally, chronic fatigue, insomnia, mood swings and depression occur with fibromyalgia as separate or combined symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is usually diagnosed when a person has had the feelings of tenderness and pain for three or more months and a physician finds that the person also has widespread “tender” points, also known as pressure points, throughout the body in at least 11 of 18 positions. The person must also experience extreme pain when a physician presses these points with even a light touch.

The 18 pressure points are located in very specific spots in the following areas.

• Head
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Back
• Chest
• Elbows
• Hips
• Thighs
• Knees

Other health conditions also frequently occur in relation to fibromyalgia, such as anxiety, fatigue, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

As mentioned, pain is the primary symptom of this disorder, and it often changes in intensity and location. The pain can occur during the day or night. Typically, it is the pain that causes the insomnia and chronic fatigue associated with the disorder because people with fibromyalgia find that dull aching, tenderness and sharp pain interrupt their sleep patterns. Circadian rhythm disruption and subsequent increased fatigue and pain then create a vicious cycle of poor sleep. Eventually, the lack of restorative sleep leads to physical and mental changes that often cause anxiety, depression and mood swings.

Pain intensifies for most fibromyalgia sufferers when they are extremely anxious or stressed, or working out. Outdoor temperature and barometric changes, especially cold weather, often cause excruciating pain.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

Modern medicine has not yet discovered the specific factor or factors that cause fibromyalgia. That said, research studies have revealed several possible causes, including

• An abnormality of the body’s central nervous system caused by a birth defect, an infection or a physical or emotional trauma results in a person having a lower than average pain threshold.
• Medical researchers believe that the brain overreacts because nerves, in a state of oversensitivity, increase the level of chemical neurotransmitters that signal pain and this increases the level of pain signals the brain receives.
• Pain receptors in the brain also become painfully oversensitive as stimulation increases.

Chiropractic Care of Fibromyalgia

At French Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we focus on using chiropractic treatment methods to improve the body’s overall health and the optimal function of the central nervous system so that nerves behave normally without causing pain. With premium chiropractic care, you may not need to take costly or dangerous prescription drugs or use risky treatments such as surgery. Chiropractic and wellness-focused treatments are inexpensive and efficient options.

Isn’t it time you tried chiropractic care for you and your family? If you are experiencing any of the common symptoms fibromyalgia, please contact our office now to schedule an appointment.