When a person receives a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, it is usually after months of testing and the frustration of pain that just won’t go away. Symptom flare-ups can leave a person debilitated for weeks at a time. And many prescription medications that are provided for fibromyalgia sufferers produce disappointing results and cause numerous unwanted side effects.
We’re about to take a closer look at fibromyalgia because understanding the condition can lead to seeking better care.
Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Patients may experience a wide range of symptoms and a varying degree of each symptom. Some of the more common symptoms include.
- Widespread pain
- Cognitive difficulties (fibro fog)
- Depression and anxiety
- Fatigue
- Headaches or migraines
- Stiffness in the morning
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Urinary or bowel symptoms
- Insomnia
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
While the exact cause of fibromyalgia is still a mystery, researchers have linked the condition to a number of events including:
- Trauma (i.e. a car accident)
- Repetitive injuries
- A chronic illness or disease
The symptoms of fibromyalgia combined with some of the events that generally precede the onset of the condition can help us to identify a major underlying factor and a natural way to get help in coping.
Upper Cervical Alignment and Fibromyalgia
Upper cervical chiropractic focuses on the atlas (C1 vertebra). The importance of the position of this bone cannot be understated. It is located at the base of the skull and can affect brainstem function, blood flow via the vertebral arteries, and cerebrospinal fluid drainage. These factors can lead to just about all of the symptoms noted in the list above.
How does an atlas misalignment occur? It is generally the result of the very same factors that have been related to the onset of fibromyalgia. Thus, it just makes sense to have the upper cervical spine examined when an event such as a car accident occurs, especially if symptoms set in following the injury.
If you are suffering from fibromyalgia, schedule a consultation to learn more about how upper cervical chiropractic can help you get your neck into proper alignment and may be able to help you regain an improved quality of life.