| Fibromyalgia has become a household word over | | | | the communication of messages between the |
| the past two decades. Before 1987 there were | | | | brain and body. This lack of communication leads |
| no diagnoses of Fibromyalgia because the term | | | | to dysfunction. In order to understand this simple |
| had not yet come about. Evidence shows that | | | | principle, you must first understand that the body |
| symptoms of Fibromyalgia have been present for | | | | is a coordinated group of cells that have formed |
| over three centuries. For a brief period of time in | | | | into tissues and organs in order for the whole to |
| the 1990's Fibromyalgia was considered a "junk" | | | | operate. Optimal operation requires the concerted |
| diagnosis. In other words, if a patient presented to | | | | efforts of all of these cells, tissues and organs. |
| their medical doctor with a specific set of | | | | When the nervous system is clear to |
| symptoms and saw no improvement with the | | | | communicate messages between the brain and |
| use of medications, "It must be Fibromyalgia, | | | | body, the body has it's highest potential for health |
| there's nothing we can do. You'll have to live with | | | | Most chiropractors will concede that this approach |
| it." To this day, some medical doctors still fail to | | | | is not the one and only, magic bullet for which the |
| acknowledge Fibromyalgia as a legitimate diagnosis. | | | | world has endlessly search. I do not believe in |
| This is in spite of the millions of people world-wide | | | | magic bullets, but this is a key piece of the puzzle. |
| who suffer with the affliction. | | | | In addition to a health nervous system, a healthy |
| Thankfully, hope is not lost. There are many | | | | diet is of utmost importance. You may be familiar |
| medical and chiropractic doctors, acupuncturists, | | | | with the adage, "Garbage in equals garbage out". |
| nutritionists, physical therapists, etc. who are willing | | | | When we fill our bodies with processed, nutrient |
| and able to take on this syndrome. Fibromyalgia | | | | deficient foods, they go into a state of extreme |
| can present differently for different people. | | | | stress. This stress can have many different |
| Though it may be elusive, Fibromyalgia has some | | | | outcomes ranging from diabetes to osteoporosis |
| common points among patients. Chronic muscle | | | | and just about everything in between. Many years |
| pain being the most universal of the symptoms, it | | | | ago the Geneva Health Convention issued a |
| can occur in a variety of locations in the human | | | | statement that the "affluent, western diet" was |
| body. Years ago insurance companies demanded | | | | the cause of most disease in the world. It is |
| at least 8 of 16 common points to render the | | | | important for everyone (Fibromyalgia sufferers |
| diagnosis. Being of the "each patient is different | | | | especially) to get back to a natural diet of whole, |
| and all things need to be considered" mind, I have | | | | raw foods. Within a few months of making |
| seen patients who have suffered with | | | | chiropractic and nutritional changes, I have seen |
| Fibromyalgia in only 3 or 4 of these specific | | | | many patients reduce their symptoms by 90% or |
| points, but also experienced pain in different, | | | | even become pain free. |
| non-insurance designated areas. So, let's put the | | | | Another easy way to reduce, or eliminate, |
| insurance and diagnosis to rest and talk about | | | | Fibromyalgia symptoms is to begin exercising and |
| health and wellness. | | | | stretching. Muscles become sore and achy in |
| Fibromyalgia is a chronic muscle pain and can be | | | | response to sedentary lifestyle habits. Simple |
| (most often is) accompanied by fatigue, malaise | | | | exercise routines can greatly improve blood flow, |
| and general discomfort. Sufferers are often tired, | | | | productivity and mood. The circulation of blood |
| can be depressed and don't feel like doing much | | | | through sore muscles creates a healing effect of |
| at all. Being a chiropractor, my first step is always | | | | its own. Again, this is not the magic bullet. I have |
| to identify areas of potential nerve compression. | | | | had several very active patients with Fibromyalgia |
| The basic tenets of chiropractic state that the | | | | symptoms. Put differently, regular exercise does |
| brain controls and regulates all organs, cells and | | | | not preclude one from developing symptoms. |
| tissues in the human body through the nervous | | | | However, combining chiropractic, proper nutrition |
| system. It is possible for the nervous system to | | | | and exercise greatly reduces your likelihood of |
| become impinged and this creates interference to | | | | Fibromyalgia symptoms. |