Fibromyalgia and the Spinal Cord

The theories about how the widespread pain of fibromyalgia occurs are numerous.  Far too many to go over in one article.  But the main theory that guides my treatment is a theory called spinal cord hypersensitivity.

To explain it, I have to lay down a little groundwork so you get a better understanding.  You will need to know a little bit about how the nervous system works.  Don’t worry, its not that difficult.

You may have noticed at some time in your life that you walked into a room and it smelled bad.  After being in the room a while, you probably noticed that you don’t smell it any more.  This is a normal function of your nervous system.  It filters out un-necessary information, so you can concentrate on other things.

Your body will also do this with pain, at least to a certain extent.  You cut your finger, it hurts for a while, then it goes away.  Partly because it is healing and partly because your brain realizes it’s just a cut finger and you don’t need to feel it as much anymore.

The filtering function happens in your spinal cord.  In a normal person’s spinal cord, sensations of pain get lessened over time.  In someone with fibromyalgia, the opposite happens, the pain gets worse.  So think about what would happen if you came into a room, it smelled bad, and the longer you sat there, the worse it got.  Well, welcome to the world of fibromyalgia.  The longer you have the pain, the worse it gets.

The phenomenon is called central sensitization and it was written about extensively in the January 2004 edition of the scientific journal, Pain.  The study explored how people with neck injuries and people with fibromyalgia get pain.  They concluded that “sensitization explains, at least in part, pain in the absence of detectable tissue damage, as found in both conditions.”

To treat fibromyalgia successfully, the issue of central (spinal cord) sensitization must be addressed.  In my office, we concentrate on getting rid of any posture problems that may be causing the cord to be stretched and irritated.  I also work on the patient’s diet and lifestyle to get rid of anything they may be eating that would cause the nervous system to be irritated or inflamed.  The treatment is very successful and allows people with fibromyalgia to return to a more normal life.

To learn more about how I treat fibromyalgia, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com.

Can Fibromyalgia be Caused by an Infection?

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome where patients feel pain in multiple areas of the body.  They can often feel sick, like they have the flu and suffer from chronic fatigue or depression.

One of the interesting studies to come out in the last few years about fibromyalgia found that 100% of the people tested had dysbiosis problems in their small intestine.

What is Dysbiosis ?  Normally your small intestine should have certain bacteria in it that help you to digest your food.  In dysbiosis, bacteria, fungi and parasites that should not be there, are growing in the intestines.  These bad bugs create toxins that get absorbed into your system.  The toxins cause inflammation, pain and a feeling of sickness.

You can find out if you have dysbiosis by running certain lab tests.  Urine tests to look for organic acids that are byproducts of harmful micro-organisms can help pinpoint what problems you are having.  The best test is a comprehensive stool culture that will be able to see exactly what is growing in you intestines.

From there, treatments can be prescribed that will eliminate the harmful micro-organisms and replenish the helpful micro-organisms.  By doing this, you will eliminate many of the toxins floating around in your body that cause pain and fatigue.

In my experience with treating fibromyalgia, solving the dysbiosis problem is not the complete answer to the pain.  However, it is one big step up the ladder to a full recovery.

To find out more about how I treat Fibromyalgia go to www.stopyourfibronow.com.

Fibromyalgia: What Is It And What Can Be Done?

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder. It is complex because different systems of the body are affected and treatments need to be both comprehensive and specific. Fibromyalgia overlaps with other diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome, which shares many of its characteristics. The patient usually has general fatigue and due to pain, may be impaired in their capacity to work.

Fibromyalgia literally means painful muscles and tendons, and patients will say there are painful areas throughout their body. They may have low back pain, neck pain, headaches, and painful knees. Not every patient will have the same painful areas but all patients will suffer multiple painful sites.

Because of this widespread pain, it is thought that there is a central cause in many patients such as hormone or brain regulation. Cortisol, a stress hormone, can be elevated in many patients.

Many patients also show problems at local (called peripheral) areas such as the spine. They may also have a history of injury to these areas and may have suffered sprains and strains. When these problems occur, the patient may not be able to function as before. They may be unable to do work or engage in physical activities. This can then create a downward spiral because it is movement that most fibromyalgia patients lack. When one does not exercise, spinal pain can become more severe. It is well known that prolonged bed rest actually increases low back pain.

By getting painful disorders of the spine and other joints addressed through chiropractic care, the patient can then re-engage in activities.

Because diet can be so important to overall well being and healing, it needs to be addressed in any comprehensive fibromyalgia treatment program. Many patients have poor diets and many more still are also overweight and obese. Nutrient deficiencies need to be countered, but diet does not end with meat, potatoes, and iceberg lettuce. Certain foods can actually promote more inflammation, which generally means more pain. There are dietary approaches that can decrease the promotion of inflammation.

Patients also need to consider psychological factors such as depression, which can compound the physical problems. Even if the patient is not clinically depressed, chronic pain will alter mood and their motivation to work or exercise. A positive mental attitude is important to adhering to a comprehensive treatment program. The patient is not passive and is instead an active participant in their recovery.

By approaching diet, exercise, spinal health, and other physical and psychological factors, the patient may be more able to decrease some of their fibromyalgia symptoms. Because the symptoms are widespread, a comprehensive treatment program will be the approach that will most likely succeed.

YOU MAYBE A CANDIDATE FOR RELIEF.

To Get More Information Log on to: www.stopyourfibronow.com

Fibromyalgia Its Real and Its a Global Problem

What do I mean by global? Well it does occur in countries around the world, but more to the point, fibromyalgia is only one piece of a complex full-body puzzle. Patients with fibromyalgia will report widespread pain in the neck, back and in other areas, but there’s also much more to the story.

Usually, patients will have sympathetic activation-stressed nerves, which can result in a depressed immune system, obesity, TMJ problems, and even high blood pressure. Headaches are also quite common, as are other aches and pains. Fibromyalgia sufferers usually have a long list of symptoms they have had over the years.

And after years of pain, most patients have avoided certain movements and exercises, thus further diminishing their quality of life.

This can all seem daunting to many doctors who want to find a pill for every pain. You may have also been prescribed antidepressants thinking this would get at this global bodily disorder.

I’m Dr. Paul Kramer DC and I’ve treated many fibromyalgia patients over the years. There is not one thing that seems to help these types of patients-no silver bullet. If there were such a cure, I’d do it tomorrow.

Rather you need to address the problem globally by correcting misalignments of the spine and extremities.  Correcting your posture does absolute wonders in relieving pain. Diet is also an issue. For many patients they will need to lose weight and I can assist in doing this in a controlled way. Most patients need guidance about certain foods and fats that promote inflammation, which is a key point in addressing symptoms.

There may also be certain chemicals that you are ingesting that are contributing to the problem, rather than helping.
Lastly, all of my patients need to start exercising. Being a couch potato is no solution for fibromyalgia. Inactivity and inflexibility just makes joint and muscle pains worse.

I start patients off with simple daily stretches to add flexibility followed by walking. Some patients can barely get out of bed, so we start with walking to the end of the block. The goal is to get up to 15-30 minutes of fast paced walking each day. Once your weight is down to a manageable level, I encourage patients to join a gym, so they can develop more strength in all of their muscles. This comprehensive approach I believe is key to addressing fibromyalgia symptoms, as well as other important health problems that often accompany it.

YOU MAYBE A CANDIDATE FOR DRUG FREE RELIEF!

Log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com

Fibromyalgia and the Swine Flu Shot?

Many people are wondering what to do about the H1N1/Swine flu “epidemic.”  I am not a proponent of vaccination for anything, so maybe I am not the person to ask.

But you should be aware of some of the risks involved.  The additives that are put in the vaccine can cause problems for many people.  The additives include metals like mercury and aluminum that have been shown to cause neurological damage.  A mercury based additive called thimersol has been linked to autism.  Vaccine manufacturers took the mercury out of many vaccines but they replaced it with aluminum that is less toxic, but causes the same problems.

People with blood brain barrier problems, which includes pregnant women, children and people with fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome should not take the shot in my opinion.

The H1N1 vaccine has not been tested for safety or effectiveness. I’ll say it again, this vaccine has not been tested for safety or effectiveness.  It is being sold by the opinions of doctors who “feel” it is safe. All the famous doctors, like Dr. Oz, that are taking it, are either vaccine zealots, unaware of the problems associated with vaccines or are getting paid to do so by the vaccine manufacturer.

The government gave out a billion dollars in research grants to develop the vaccine.  The companies that make it, stand to make billions more.  When this is all over, politicians will stand up and say “look at the fine job we did in stopping the swine flu epidemic.”  Vaccine manufacturers will use the “swine flu epidemic success” as a means to get quick money from the government in the future.

If you feel that you trust the government and your doctor enough to put your life on the line and take the vaccine, I respect your choice.  Not me, not my wife, not my kids.

I am not the only one that feels this way. Check out this video from Youtube:

Medical Commentator Says Vaccine is More Dangerous Than Swine Flu: Won’t Give It To His Kids:

For information on how I treat fibromyalgia, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com.

What Is Fibromyalgia and Can Doctors Agree On the Diagnosis?

Fibromyalgia (FM) has long been considered a condition involving the soft tissues of the body, that is, the muscles, ligaments and tendons. It is defined as “a chronic, generalized pain condition associated with symptoms of fatigue, stiffness, and sleep disturbance and is characterized by the physical findings of local tenderness in many specific but widely dispersed sites. Fibromyalgia is the most common cause of widespread pain. The prevalence of this disorder in the general population is between 3% and 5%… Most patients with fibromyalgia remain symptomatic for several years, and no cure has been identified.”  Disturbances in the central nervous system (CNS) has also been linked to this condition.

In one study, 168 FM patients had the CNS evaluated by hearing tests, eye movement tests, and a test that evaluates balance/dizziness.  Abnormal findings were common in the FM patient group compared to non-FM subjects. Another study utilized an electrical current treatment approach through the skull to stimulate part of the brain to see if that would help a group of patients with FM. Two different parts of the brain were stimulated as well as a sham or fake treatment approach.  One of two parts of the brain that was stimulated resulted in reductions of pain that lasted for three weeks and mild improvements in quality of life were reported.

Comparing 287 general practitioners (GPs), 160 orthopedists, 160 physiatrists, and 160 rheumatologists, evaluating a patient injured in a motor vehicle crash, those most likely to diagnose FM were rheumatologists (83%) with physiatrists and GPs in the middle at 60% and 71%, respectively.  Orthopedists were least likely at 29%. There were five factors found to be important in the respondent’s agreement or disagreement with the FM diagnosis:

1. The number of FM cases diagnosed weekly by the respondent (strong predictor).

2. The patient’s gender (females > males was a strong predictor).

3. The force of the initial impact (least important).

4. The patient’s psychiatric history before the trauma (more important).

5. The initial injury severity (least important).

This information is important as the shift from considering fibromyalgia to be strictly a condition of the muscles and other soft tissues to being a condition of the central nervous system will affect our future treatment strategies.  Obtaining multiple opinions from various types of practitioners will most likely result in a variety of opinions. Treatment options utilizing chiropractic, exercise, and strategies to facilitate sleep have been shown to be very effective.

YOU MAYBE A CANDIDATE FOR DRUG-FREE RELIEF!

LOG ONTO www.stopyourfibronow.com for more information.

Fibromyalgia and “Lyrica”

As you may or may not have heard, Lyrica is a drug recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms. Recently television advertisements have appeared describing the drug as the only approved medication for fibromyalgia.

Lyrica was originally used to treat neuropathic (nerve) pain such as that seen in shingles or diabetes. Since many millions of people suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms in the U.S. (at least 3-6 million), it’s little wonder that patients may be interested in this treatment. For some, the thought of a new wonder drug can be irresistible.

Although treating pain is important, many patients may find this approach wanting because the cause of the pain isn’t addressed. For those who choose the drug approach, they need to consider side affects associated with the drug. In one study, 14% of patients discontinued use because of side effects. The most common side effects were dizziness and sleepiness. More rarely, patients complained of disturbance of balance, confusion, thinking abnormally, blurred vision, and swelling of the legs.

With any type of drug you consider, discuss your concerns with a medical doctor. For some patients, drug treatment can be effective but it’s probably best to try more conservative treatments first.  Especially, those methods that will address the cause of your pain.

Have you considered chiropractic in your fibromyalgia care plan? How is your  posture? Are you as active as you want to be? These factors can influence how much pain you experience and are often overlooked by the typical patient with fibromyalgia. The most common pain symptom in fibromyalgia is low back pain. Many scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients with low back pain. It also has a very low risk for side affects or adverse reactions.

Have you addressed the excess weight you may have put on over the years? Weight-loss and a low -inflammation diet are important adjuncts to fibromyalgia care and have been shown in studies to be effective. Another conservative approach is aerobic and strength/resistance exercise. These activities can greatly influence your symptoms and are also backed up by solid scientific evidence.

To learn more about how fibromyalgia can be treated safely and effectively log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com and order a copy of my free report. Or, if you’d like to discuss your fibromyalgia symptoms more specifically just call 262-251-8306 to make an appointment for a complementary consultation. We are always available to educate the public about natural chiropractic health care.

Fibromyalgia Relief – Is It Possible?

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, you may have been told by your doctor that you need to learn to live with it. But here’s some good news about a recent fibromyalgia treatment study: The study compared 2 groups of patients with fibromyalgia. One group included Chiropractic with their treatment, which included spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy and passive stretching.

Chiropractic care improved the range of motion of the neck and low back but that’s not all… after 1 year of Chiropractic treatment, 20 female patients with fibromyalgia found statistical improvement in the intensity of their pain, complaint of non-restorative sleep, and impact of fibromyalgia on functional activities.  In other words: fibromyalgia sufferers had less pain, slept better and could live a more fulfilling life.

Fibromyalgia affects between 10-12% of the general population and is the second most common condition diagnosed in rheumatology clinics. Though no “cures” of this condition have been reported, there is good evidence that chiropractic care helps and helps a lot.

From my personal experience in treating fibromyalgia, I know that only certain chiropractic techniques will work well.  The doctor’s experience and training make all the difference. You don’t have to live with it!

Like all doctors’ offices, care may vary from office to office. But…if you are looking for a Chiropractor who has successfully helped fibromyalgia sufferers, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com. and order your copy of my free report entitled “Why Your Doctors May Be The Biggest Obstacle You Face In Ever Getting Rid Of Your Fibromyalgia Pain !”

References

1. Wolfe F, Ross K, Anderson J, Russell IJ, Hebert L. The prevalence and characteristics of fibromyalgia in the general opulation. Arthritis Rheum. 1995; 38(1):19-28.

2. Schneider MJ. Tender points/fibromyalgia vs trigger points/ myofascial pain syndrome: a need for clarity in terminology and differential diagnosis. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1995;18:398–406.

3. Blunt KL, Rajwani MH, Guerriero RC. The effectiveness of chiropractic management of fibromyalgia patients: A pilot study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1997  Jul-Aug;20(6):389—399.

4.  Çitak-Karakaya I, Akbayrak T, Demirtürk F, et al.  Short and Long-Term Results of Connective Tissue Manipulation and Combined Ultrasound Therapy in Patients with Fibromyalgia. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2006 (Sep);29 (7):524—528.

Fibromyalgia and Food Additives?

Yes, according to an article in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy, fibromyalgia can be caused by food additives called excitotoxins.

These excitotoxins, excite nerve endings that carry pain messages to the brain.  Just as morphine blocks pain, excitotoxins cause pain.

The study followed four patients who had fibromyalgia for up to 17 years.  All four had symptoms completely resolve by eliminating all excitotoxins from their diet.  It is a small study, but the fact that all four got completely well, should encourage you to try eliminating excitotoxins your the diet.

What are excitotoxins ?  The two biggest culprits are glutamate (MSG) and Aspartame (Nutrasweet).  Try not eating Glutamate or Aspartame for a month and see if you don’t feel better.  Glutamate can be tough to eliminate because it has other names like modified food starch.  Basically, stay away from processed food and you’ll be fine.

Fibromyalgia symptoms have many causes but diet is usually a piece of the puzzle.  For more information on how I treat fibromyalgia log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com and order your free information.  Or, you can call Jennifer at 262-251-8306 and set up an appointment with me for a free, no obligation for treatment, consultation.  We can discuss your situation and see if I can help.

Solutions to Chronic Pain As Seen On What’s Cookin’?

I had the great pleasure of being on a local cable TV  cooking show called “What’s Cookin’ ?”.

The show is hosted by KC Thorson who also teaches organic cooking classes and sells different tasty and healthy food items.

The show is about the health benefits of fish. I talk about the high amounts of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids in salmon and other fatty fish.  This show may be of interest to you, because fibromyalgia, endometriosis, arthritis, degenerative discs and chronic fatigue are related to lack of Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet.
At the end KC cooks some salmon in mustard/tamari sauce. The fish is excellent!! You’ll see me continuing to nibble on it while KC is talking at the end
of the show!

You can see the show on the web at the following links:

http://fallscable-wi.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=d14c5730b1795f6e4e2c8a
http://fallscable-wi.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=d14c5730b179
www.fallscableaccess.com

So check it out. I had fun doing it and I think you’ll enjoy watching it.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, good nutrition is the foundation you will need to feel better.  However, you will need assistance from a physician that knows what you will need to eat and how to supplement safely and effectively.

For help on this, call Jennifer or Leah at 262-251-8306 and they can set up a free consultation when we can go over your health status and see if I can help.

If you have fibromyalgia go to www.stopyourfibronow.com for important information that can help you get better.