Fibromyalgia brings with it chronic and potentially disabling musculoskeletal pain. The specialists at IMC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in New City, New York provide you with a safe and effective way to manage pain and control the symptoms of fibromyalgia, possibly reducing or eliminating completely the long list of medications that traditional medical approaches require.
Fibromyalgia is a condition associated with a combination of symptoms including widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, poor memory and difficulty sleeping. It’s an illness that tends to affect women more than men and, often begins after another medical issue such as surgery, infection, physical trauma or extreme stress.
The current theory is that fibromyalgia is a problem that amplifies the sensations of pain and how the brain processes them. It isn’t clear why some people develop it, though. The most likely answer is a combination of genetics and traumatic injury. Repeated nerve stimulation caused by emotional or physical trauma changes the brain, increasing the levels of neurotransmitters that trigger a pain response.
Trauma in this scenario refers to anything that causes pain, so it might be a car accident, an illness, surgery or just an emotional period in your life. The increase in the pain response makes the nerves more sensitive, so they overreact to every sensation.
The most prevalent one is a widespread and unexplainable pain. Patients describe it as a dull ache that remains constant. Most people experience fatigue, as well, along with cognitive problems and difficulty sleeping.
There are a number of drug therapies available for this painful condition, but the best approach is a comprehensive pain management strategy that includes both conventional and complementary medicine. Chiropractic care, massage therapy, and acupuncture all have proven helpful for patients with fibromyalgia. Acupuncture, for example, stimulates the release of endorphins that are the body’s natural pain reliever. Studies show that acupuncture has an effect on brain chemistry, as well, and may inhibit the nerve impulses that are causing the pain.
Chiropractic care focuses on key pressure points that are at the heart of the musculoskeletal pain caused by fibromyalgia. It increases the range of motion in these areas while reducing the pain levels.
Massage therapy is an effective way to relieve stress, as stress tends to make the pain of fibromyalgia worse. Massage therapy also promotes better sleep and relaxation. The combination of these 3 therapy options can make living with fibromyalgia easier.
