What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder of the musculoskeletal system characterized by chronic, diffuse pain and generalized muscle stiffness. It’s a complex condition with no one single cause, and the pain is frequently accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive dysfunction. Fibromyalgia is believed to affect 2-5% of the general population, but the actual prevalence is unclear because fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed.
Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
In most cases, fibromyalgia manifests as either dull aching or shooting pains in a particular region of the body. Absent treatment, fibromyalgia can lead to a wide range of secondary conditions, including chronic fatigue, disturbed sleep, bladder issues, and depression.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Fibromyalgia
Trauma to the neck and upper cervical region is a common trend among patients who suffer from fibromyalgia. As a result, researchers have linked the occurrence of fibromyalgia to irregularities in brain chemistry and disruption to the central nervous system. In particular, the area of the brain known as the thalamus seems to be especially sensitive to misalignments in the upper cervical spine. In fibromyalgia, the thalamus may experience an overload of signals, leading to fibromyalgia symptoms such as chronic pain, tightness, and insomnia.
How Our Fibromyalgia Treatment Works
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a form of chiropractic treatment that focuses on correcting misalignments in the upper cervical spine that may be contributing to conditions like fibromyalgia. By realigning the vertebrae in the upper cervical spine, upper cervical chiropractic care can help to restore proper nerve function and alleviate the pain experienced by fibromyalgia patients.
During an upper cervical chiropractic appointment, Dr. Bello, our upper cervical specialist, will create a treatment plan to identify, locate, and correct any misalignments in your upper cervical spine. During this process, a cone-beam computed tomography scan or X-ray may be used to pinpoint the exact location and angle of the misalignment in question.
After determining the position and severity of the misaligned vertebra, Dr. Bello will perform a series of gentle, non-invasive realignment techniques to correct the upper cervical spine. Unlike traditional chiropractic treatment, this doesn’t involve any popping, clicking, or painful twisting. This correction will help to relieve any pressure on the spinal cord and restore regular function to the nervous system. While it may take a few treatments, regular adjustments can help to relieve or even eliminate symptoms of fibromyalgia.
If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia, don’t suffer in silence. Dr. Bello offers a natural and alternative treatment that can help you. He services patients in Beverly Hills, Culver City, Westwood, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Brentwood, and the surrounding areas.