Chiropractic Treatment for Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common medical condition that results in chronic pain throughout the body. It mainly attacks the soft tissues, causing musculoskeletal pain in the tendons, joints, and muscles. The American College of Rheumatology reports that one in fifty people in the U.S. alone suffers from FMS. Chiropractic care offers long-term and holistic alternatives for pain management. Adjustments, manipulations, and therapeutic exercise are some of the beneficial treatment methods. Contact your local chiropractic office to learn more!
What Is Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)?
As mentioned above, FMS is a chronic pain disorder. There is no known cause for it, having been found to come on gradually or after severe physical or psychological turmoil. All that is really known about FMS is that it changes the way the body processes pain. This makes it incredibly difficult to diagnose.
Symptoms of FMS include severe pain, mood swings, memory loss, fatigue, fuzziness, excessive sleeping, and depression. It also puts you at risk for other medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), tension headaches, and anxiety/depression.
The FDA has only approved three medications for FMS treatment. None of these three are for pain relief. Instead, medical professionals manage pain levels through “off-label” medications. Each comes with their own set of risks and side effects.
Chiropractic Treatment For Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
Chiropractors treat the body as a connected system. When one area isn’t functioning efficiently, your entire body suffers. Chiropractic treatment strengthens your musculoskeletal structure restores balance to your body, relieving negative symptoms.
Chiropractic adjustments reset your nervous system like turning a computer off and on. It jumpstarts your brain, letting accurate pain signals through. The adjustment itself is either done with instruments or just with your chiropractor's hands. The adjustment corrects subluxations or misalignments by gently moving the spine back into place. Both your back and neck will have noted improvements.
For patients with FMS, exercising may seem counterproductive. Yet exercising can improve your physical condition. Your chiropractor can guide you through therapeutic exercises. These maintain your muscle tone, keeping your condition from worsening. Strengthening your skeletal system creates a better resilience to pain.
Many chiropractors provide nutritional and lifestyle services. Adding more exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s just taking a small walk, has proven benefits. Nutrition is also necessary for a healthy and functioning body. Your chiropractor can work with you to eliminate harmful foods from your diet. Replacing these and adding in supplements reduces your negative symptoms.