Do you suffer from fibromyalgia? Are you looking for ways to help naturally treat it? If so, you might want to consider chiropractic care for fibromyalgia. This holistic form of medicine offers plenty of benefits for fibromyalgia sufferers. To find out more about how it can help you, keep reading.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes severe musculoskeletal pain. Most of the time, fibromyalgia is the result of a stressful event, either physically or emotionally, that puts strain on the body. The painful condition can affect anywhere in the body, but usually causes tender points around the neck, upper arms, and knees.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Fibromyalgia symptoms will vary depending on how severe your condition is. While there will be pain for most sufferers, other symptoms you might experience include:
- Fatigue
- Muscle tenderness
- Anxiety
- Skin sensitivity
- Headaches
- Joint stiffness
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a type of natural medicine that focuses on healing your body’s musculoskeletal system with holistic methods. A chiropractor will ask about your symptoms and do a quick inspection of the affected area by feeling it and possibly with the use of x-rays.
Once this is done, they will come up with a personalized plan to help heal you. While these treatment options will vary, most chiropractors will incorporate various adjustments and massage therapy for relief.
5 Ways Chiropractic Care Can Treat Fibromyalgia
Uses Special Adjustments For Fibromyalgia
Chiropractors are skilled in unique musculoskeletal adjustments. These are done to ensure that a certain bone or joint is in its proper place. By doing so, it will prevent them from pressing against surrounding muscles or nerves that could result in serious pain, including fibromyalgia.
To help with fibromyalgia, a chiropractor will gently feel around areas of soreness. This will help them identify any misaligned joints and if there is swelling near them. Once they do this, a chiropractor will use one of many adjustments.
Flexion-Distraction
This adjustment is designed to stretch your body with the help of a special table. Through this, a patient will find that their spine is straighter which can prevent lower back pain.
Gonstead Technique
The Gonstead technique allows the chiropractor to press on your lower back to ensure your spine is aligned. This can help with increasing your mobility and reduces joint stiffness and pain.
Activator Technique
Unlike other chiropractic adjustments, the activator technique uses a tool called an activator to provide relief. By running this device up and down your spine, it will send impulses into your spinal vertebrae. This will prevent nerve damage and restore mobility in the area.
You’ll Be Given Diet Recommendations
Another way a chiropractor can help fibromyalgia is by recommending new diet changes. A chiropractor understands the connection between one’s diet and how it affects one’s fibromyalgia.
For instance, it has been shown that food high in sugar can make it harder for the body to fight against fibromyalgia symptoms. In addition to this, if you eat food high in fat, it can cause you to gain weight. This excessive weight can put extra pressure on your joints causing them to slide out of place and feel weak.
To help with this, a chiropractor will recommend adding certain food to your diet. These include:
- Almonds
- Tofu
- Avocados
- Oatmeal
- Broccoli
- Olive oil
- Salmon
- Lentils
Incorporates Massage Therapy For Fibromyalgia
Chiropractic care will also use massage therapy for your treatments. Massage therapy has been shown to help reduce muscle pain which can relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. A massage can improve your range of motion which can heal flexibility problems caused by this medical condition.
There are quite a few massages your chiropractor might recommend trying.
Trigger Point
This massage focuses on releasing tension in certain trigger points that are located around the body. Trigger points are a form of nodule that become knotted if stressed. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia causes many trigger point issues because it affects muscle fibers.
A trigger point massage works to prevent these knots by using circular pressure on them. This is done for a few minutes before moving on to another trigger point.
Hot Stone
A hot stone massage places heated stones up and down your spine. This will invigorate your blood circulation helping to flush out toxins that could be irritating your muscles and joints. Thanks to the massage motions and the heat, a hot stone massage is often a favorite choice for fibromyalgia sufferers.
Swedish
A Swedish massage uses deep gliding motions to provide pain relief. By doing so, it will encourage blood flow to affected areas and flush them with nutrients to help them recover.
Offers Helpful Exercises For Fibromyalgia
A clinician trained in chiropractic care for fibromyalgia will also give you some exercises to try. These exercises are designed to stretch your body to provide pain relief and prevent further musculoskeletal damage.
Walking
Walking is a simple way to help keep your body active and free from tension. It will also build up your stamina which can help your body repair damaged muscles and joints. Besides this, walking will boost your blood circulation which can refresh your brain and help your muscles get necessary nutrients.
Swimming
Swimming is an easy aerobic exercise that allows you to move without pain thanks to the water’s buoyancy. By doing simple water aerobic stretches or laps in the pool, you can work to reduce fibromyalgia pain.
Side Bend Stretch
One stretch a chiropractor might recommend is the side bend stretch. This will help your back and shoulders release tension. To do it, simply stand with proper posture while keeping your legs aligned with your hips. Then, lift your left hand straight into the air and bend your body toward the right. Hold for a few seconds and then return to the original position. Repeat this process but switch your arm and the side you bend on.
Helps With Fibromyalgia Pain Management
Chiropractic care can also assist with pain management. Fibromyalgia can be uncomfortable, and for some, intolerable. Besides being consistent with your chiropractic treatments, a chiropractor will also recommend using natural painkillers during flare-ups, such as turmeric supplements, lavender essential oil, and a heating pad.
Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that can make living life normally difficult. Thankfully, chiropractic care for fibromyalgia can heal many of its symptoms through various methods, such as adjustments and massage therapy.
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References
The effectiveness of chiropractic management of fibromyalgia patients: a pilot study
Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Metabolic Approach Grounded in Biochemistry for the Remission of Symptoms
Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Juneau and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. He offers a progressive and highly innovative approach to chiropractic care, massage therapy, and physical therapy to patients in Alaska. Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe, Organic Facts, and Thrive Global. He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians.
