When broken down fibromyalgia simply means “fibro” (New Latin) – fibrous/connective tissue, “mya” (Greek) – muscle and “algos” (Greek) – pain; in other words, pain in the tissues.
This condition is very common in women. It is characterized by general body aches and tenderness, fatigue and difficulty sleeping. People with this condition usually can’t even be rubbed gently without sever pain. They have pain from the top of their heads to the bottom of their feet. Usually, pain medications give little to no relief. There are various causes but physicians are linking genetics, infections and physical and emotional stress to this disorder.
As a Chiropractor, I believe that multiple vertebral subluxations (misalignments) of the spine cause an interruption of the impulses from the brain to the rest of the body. This abnormal communication leads to dysfunction and eventually if not treated chronic pain can ensue. However, if you only treat pain then the underlying cause (vertebral subluxation) still persists so pain and other symptoms may continue to show up.
No cure has been found for this chronic disorder but according to the Journal Of Manipulative Physiological Therapy 2009: 32(9), there was moderate evidence that Chiropractic, cognitive behavioural therapy and aerobic exercise was seen to have produced the best results. As compared to patients that had pharmacological treatments, they observed that patients who had Chiropractic treatment, had better range of motion, decrease in pain, increase in functioning and a general better sense of well-being.
Here in Ghana, we have successfully used Chiropractic, therapeutic exercises, massage therapy and nutritional supplements to manage the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Many people walk around with this much pain and they think it is normal but it is not normal to have pain all over your body all day every day. Please ask for help if this is you or if there is somebody in your life who suffers like this. Do not over drug yourself with pain killers as too much of it also has side effects.
