Chiropractic May Be a Practical Form of Care for Patients with Fibromyalgia

by

Chiropractor in Vaughan Discusses How Chiropractic May Be a Viable Treatment Option for Patients with Fibromyalgia

Vaughan, ON—According to a 2014 Canadian Community Health Survey by Statistics Canada, 519,146 (1.7%) of Canadians aged 12 and over have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.1

Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fibromyalgia is a condition that is characterized by generalized body pain and an abnormal heightened sensitivity to pain.2 It is also associated with sleep disturbances, memory issues, fatigue, and depression.3  

 There is no known cause for fibromyalgia. And currently, there are no lab tests or diagnostic imaging studies that can diagnosis fibromyalgia either.

Often times patients who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia are prescribed pain reliever like Tylenol or Advil. In some cases, antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs may be prescribed. 3

Chiropractic Care for Fibromyalgia

For anyone who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chiropractic care should be considered as a viable “treatment” option. I used the word “treatment” loosely here because chiropractic is not about treating any specific condition, such as fibromyalgia. However, many patients with fibromyalgia that I have seen in my office have responded extremely well from chiropractic care. In many of these cases, chiropractic care was their last resort, after medications and other therapies like massage, acupuncture, and physiotherapy.

How Can Chiropractic Help Someone with Fibromyalgia

The aim of chiropractic is always to discover what’s causing the underlying health problem and to correct the underlying cause not just treat the symptom. Convention medical care is about treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia, the pain, fatigue, mood changes, and sleep disturbances. Hence, within the medical model, they are treating the condition—fibromyalgia

Chiropractic is about checking for spinal misalignments (also called vertebral subluxations)/ So, if the symptoms that are associated in patients with fibromyalgia are caused by subluxations, then chiropractic can help. But chiropractic is always about correcting the subluxations.

Why is chiropractic relevant to patients with fibromyalgia?

Here are 3 reasons:

  1. Pain Relief: Well, we know that subluxations cause interference to the normal function of the nervous system. The nervous is responsible for all body functions, all healing, and all repair. Subluxations can trigger irritation on tissues like nerves, muscles, tendons, and discs. All these tissues are pain sensitive. Therefore, by correcting subluxations, often times painful conditions are relieved, and this possible also in patients with fibromyalgia.
  1. Stress Relief: Chiropractic has a profound effect on relieving the dangerous affects of chronic stress. Chronic stress can be detrimental to your health. When someone is chronically stress, the sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive. This is the ‘Fight or Flight’ part of your nervous system. Stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, are constantly being secreted in the body during chronic stress. Chiropractic adjustments to the spine can help balance the sympathetic nervous system overdrive and therefore the stress response in the body. This is why patients under chiropractic care tell me that they now have a better ability to handle stress. Well, one of the theories for the cause of fibromyalgia is stress.4 Therefore, it is plausible that by decreasing the effects of stress on the nervous system with chiropractic care could help people with fibromyalgia.
  1. Improving Mood: Some of the newest research in chiropractic today involves the effect of chiropractic adjustments on the brain. Studies are now showing the chiropractic has a positive effect on brain function. Research subjects were attached to brain wave scanners, electroencephalogram (EEG), which measure the persons brain waves. Researches found that there was in increase in alpha brain wave response. The alpha brain waves are associated with greater relaxation, health, and heeling.5 The more relaxed you are the better mood you are in.

In summary, anyone that has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia should visit a chiropractor. Even though chiropractic is not a specific treatment for fibromyalgia, considering the benefits that are possible from chiropractic care, patients can begin to experience less pain, a better ability to handle stress, more happiness, and better mood.

Citations:

  1. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/150617/dq150617b-eng.htm
  2. Okifuji, A and  Hare B. Management of Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Review of Evidence. Pain Ther. 2013 Dec; 2(2): 87–104.
  3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/basics/definition/con-20019243
  4. http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-causes
  5. http://www.yourspine.com/Chiropractic/Chiropractic%20Improves%20Brain%20Function.aspx
____________________________________________________

** Copyright NOTICE **: This article was written by Dr. Walter Salubro and is copyright by Dr. Walter Salubro. Attribution is required for re-posting of this article.

Re-posting this article on your website or blog is permitted only if you credit the author, Dr. Walter Salubro and post a backlink to www.BackToHealthChiropracticCentre.com.

Suggested attribution: Article courtesy of Dr. Walter Salubro at www.BackToHealthChiropracticCentre.com.

____________________________________________________

Dr. Walter Salubro_1Dr. Walter Salubro is a family wellness chiropractor, the owner of Back To Health Chiropractic Centre in Maple, Ontario, and the author of Back to Health by Choice. He grew up in Toronto, Ontario, and moved to Vaughan, Ontario, with his family at the age of fifteen.

Dr. Salubro graduated from York University in 1996 and from the National College of Chiropractic in 1999. He has been practicing chiropractic and serving his community of Maple and Vaughan for over fifteen years.

Dr. Salubro provides chiropractic care to people of all age groups.  He is trained in applying specific chiropractic techniques that are just as suitable for children as they are for adults. In addition to offering specific spinal adjustments and posture corrective techniques, Dr. Salubro offers an extensive lineup of health seminars, exercise classes, and a run/walk club to his patients. Dr. Salubro is an avid runner, having completed multiple marathons and half marathons.

Back to Health by ChoiceDr. Walter Salubro is dedicated to providing exceptional chiropractic care for all his patients. He caters to the care of infants and pregnant mothers. Dr. Salubro is certified from the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice and the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics (CACCP).  Dr. Walter Salubro is Webster Technique Certified, which is certified and recognized by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).

0

 

Dr. Walter Salubro

Written by

Dr. Walter Salubro is a corrective care chiropractor, the owner of Back To Health Chiropractic Centre in Maple, Ontario, and the author of Back to Health by Choice. Dr. Salubro graduated from York University in 1996 and from the National College of Chiropractic in 1999. He has been practicing chiropractic and serving his community of Maple and Vaughan for 24 years. Dr. Salubro is on a mission to give hope to people who are sick and suffering, especially when all other types of treatment they have tried have failed them. His purpose is help as many people get well with chiropractic care so they can live a long lasting, healthy, and happy life. Dr. Walter Salubro is dedicated to providing exceptional chiropractic care for all his patients. Dr. Salubro provides chiropractic care to people of all age groups. He is trained in applying specific chiropractic techniques that are just as suitable for children as they are for adults. Dr. Walter Salubro is trained and certified in Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP®) and is a certified ScoliBrace provider. He also caters to the care of infants and pregnant mothers. Dr. Salubro is certified from the Academy of Chiropractic Family Practice and the Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics (CACCP). Dr. Walter Salubro is Webster Technique Certified, which is certified and recognized by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA).