Mechanicsville, Virginia - Fibromyalgia is condition I often see at Stover Chiropractic.  Patients present with widespread pain with multiple tender points on the upper neck, back, shoulders, and hips.  Experts say it is misdiagnosed frequently and I can attest, it is complicated.  Most patients show up in my office having tried painkillers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, injectables and varieties of advanced pain intervention.  All of the above are rarely effective.  The challenge is someone in chronic pain seldom had just one source or cause of their pain.  My goal is modest, I want to see if I can find at least one factor that contributes to the pain.  Most commonly that is a misalignment of the spine that negatively impacts nervous system function (and therefore, muscle function).  You see, a muscle doesn’t hurt until we ask it to do more than it is conditioned to do.  This is the reason we get sore after working out or working in the yard all day.  Especially if it is the first time we have been that active in months (or years!).  With fibromyalgia we need to ask why the muscles might be “over-worked.”  It turns out, a mis-aligned spine, subluxations, or abnormal posture, is a common cause of fatigued or sore muscles.  If a chiropractor can help restore alignment and function (more efficient musculo-skeletal system and neurology) the muscles will not be as sore and painful.

In my experience, it seems about 20% of my fibromyalgia patients seem to get amazing results with chiropractic care.  As if my adjustments (treatments) are the silver bullet.  However, most, about 70% respond well, but I don’t feel like I’m the only solution in these cases.  In other words, the pain may be 20% or 60% better, but there are other factors that prevent me from getting better results.  It is still wonderful to see some one take less medication or be able to play with grandchildren, even if I haven’t help the pain completely.  Then the last 10% or so just don’t see any real change under chiropractic care.

Well I was recently directed to NaturalNews, which has an article on fibromyalgia.  It was very much focused on dietary options to help.  I thought it would be helpful to share the information, because like I said, fibromyalgia is multi-factoral.  A close look at diet and supplementation is a great option.  This article brought up several items that were new to me.

Some of the highlights are:

-colloidal silver (new to me)

-proteolytic enzymes

-plenty of omega 3′s and essential fatty acids

-cut back on whole grain foods

-avoid sugar, artificial sweeteners, and foods with bleached flour

-curcumin, magnesium, blackseed oil (Nigella stiva) and herbal oleander extract (for immune system – new to me)

-apples (which have malice acid, found to ease pain and inflammation) – 2 per day

-probiotics

- niacin and niacinamide

Lastly the author ends with some good advice on exercise.  “Do not give up on exercise. People with fibromyalgia often stop exercising because it is painful. However, inactivity weakens muscles and makes them more sensitive to pain. Low impact aerobics, conditioning exercises, such as swimming, stationary bicycling or stretching, are often helpful for people with fibromyalgia.”  Variety is the key.

So hopefully some of this is new to you (like it was for me) and you, or someone you know with fibromyalgia, can benefit.  Check out the article for more detail and links to other sources.