Millions of people suffer from fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, achiness, and stiffness. For a long time, medical researchers felt fibromyalgia was largely a rheumatological problem involving an abnormal inflammatory response. Today, researchers believe it’s actually caused by dysfunctional “neuro-circuits” and abnormal pain processing in the brain.
Easy Reach Chiropractic is a leading provider of patient-centered, effective therapies for fibromyalgia management, helping patients reduce or relieve symptoms for greater comfort and a better quality of life. In this post, Barbara Adonis, DC, and Heather Previll, PT, DPT, offer an overview of fibromyalgia and its management strategies, answering the question: Is there a cure?
If you’re newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you’re probably wondering about your prognosis — specifically, can your condition be cured? The answer, unfortunately, is no, there currently is no cure for fibromyalgia.
What researchers do know is that fibromyalgia symptoms vary from one person to another in terms of intensity, extent, and frequency. They also know these symptoms are typically associated with fibromyalgia:
There’s no blood test to diagnose fibromyalgia; instead, doctors rely on a patient’s reported symptoms, a physical exam, and lab tests to rule out other potential causes.
That sounds pretty discouraging, but there is some good news: Fibromyalgia can definitely be managed with therapies focused on relieving pain and stiffness, improving sleep, and enjoying a more active life. The key to enjoying those benefits is to visit our team regularly for checkups, so we can monitor your progress.
Because fibromyalgia affects different people in different ways, most patients benefit from custom treatment plans featuring a variety of therapies.
Physical therapy uses special stretches and exercises to relieve muscle tension and improve range of motion. Exercises are specifically developed for people with fibromyalgia, and you can perform many of the movements at home for continued relief.
Massage therapy uses a variety of hands-on techniques to relax stiff, sore muscles and “untangle” painful muscle knots. By promoting relaxation, massage therapy may help improve symptoms of fatigue by promoting better sleep.
Class 4 laser therapy uses focused light energy to painlessly penetrate your skin, targeting deeper tissues to reduce inflammation, promote healing, increase circulation, and reduce pain. Class 4 laser therapy can be used on its own or in combination with physical therapy or massage therapy.
The Graston technique uses specially designed instruments to manipulate sore, swollen tissue, promoting circulation and stimulating natural healing. Graston therapy also helps gently break apart trigger points and scar tissue, improving overall mobility.
Many patients benefit from oral medications to relieve pain and inflammation and promote stress relief. Injections of corticosteroids and local anesthetics relieve painful trigger points and joint-related pain.
Lifestyle changes, like a healthy eating plan and regular exercise, play important roles in most treatment plans, too. Ongoing management focuses on adjusting your plan as your needs and symptoms change.
If you’re among the millions suffering from fibromyalgia, it’s important to know that there is a treatment plan that can work for you. To find out more, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Easy Reach Chiropractic in Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, today.
