What Many People Don’t Know About Chiropractic And What We Can Do For YOU

Dr. Paul Kramer here.  In just a moment I’m going to tell you some very interesting information about Chiropractic that most people do not know – but more importantly – what it can do for you and how it might even change your life.

This is really good stuff… especially if you have back pain now or have ever had back pain in the past.

But first, there is something else you should know about.  I think you’ll really like it.

Did you the use of Aspirin dates all the way back to around 400 B.C.?  It’s true.  The father of medicine, Hippocrates, who lived sometime between 460 B.C. and 377 B.C., left historical records that included the use of the bark of the willow tree to treat fever, headache and various pains.

It wasn’t until 1829 that scientists started figuring out what was going on.  That’s when they discovered a compound called salicin in the willow plant was responsible for the pain relief.

In that same year, scientists were able to turn salicin into salicylic acid.  The problem was that salicylic acid was very rough of the stomach and mouth… which limited its use.  Then, in 1853 a German scientist named Charles Frederic Gerhardt buffered (neutralized) the harshness of the acid by coating salicylic acid with sodium and acetyl chloride.  Although it worked, it was time consuming and Gerhardt stopped working on it because he didn’t think it was worth it.

OOOOPS!

In 1897 a German pharmacist working for a German pharmaceutical company Bayer, started looking for a solution for his father’s rheumatism.  His name was Felix Hoffmann and he “re-discovered” Gerhardt’s work and in 1899 patented a “new” pain reliever under the name Aspirin.

As a quick and interesting aside: During that same month, Hoffmann synthesized heroin by accident.  His discovery of heroin obviously didn’t end up working out as well as aspirin! But, one of the truly remarkable thing about all this is:

Scientists did not have a clue how aspirin worked until 1971!  In that year, John Vane theorized how it worked for which he was awarded a Nobel prize in 1982.

Today, over 70 million pounds of aspirin are produced annually all over the world making it the world’s most widely used drug… and scientists still theorize about the exact mechanisms of aspirin.

So what’s all this have to do with Chiropractic and your back pain?

Here’s what:  Believe it or not – Chiropractic and aspirin have many things in common.

First — they can both be traced WAY back in history.

In fact, Hippocrates, who used a form of aspirin back in 400 B.C., also used a form of spinal manipulation.… and so did ancient Egyptians and many other cultures.

But, it was not until 1895 that D.D. Palmer invented “Chiropractic.”   Chiropractic was new and different because Palmer theorized the nervous system controlled every function of the body and Chiropractic adjustments (specific spinal manipulations) removed interference to blocked or pinched nerves.  This, in turn, not only relieved pain… it helped the entire body function better and heal from all sorts of illnesses and diseases.

Just like willow bark and eventually aspirin, spinal manipulation got results and became very popular… but the mechanisms were not understood.

But here’s were Chiropractic & Aspirin differ –in a very big way…

Doctors and scientists had no clue how aspirin worked – but it was hailed by the medical community as a wonder drug and mass-produced.

Doctors and scientists were not sure how Chiropractic worked – so it was branded unscientific and quackery.

Seems a little unfair – don’t you think?

Thank goodness in many areas, research has finally caught up with Chiropractic!

For example, Chiropractic’s ability to help relieve back pain is well researched.  It is a safe, effective and cost-effective way to relieve back pain.

How Does Chiropractic Work?…FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK:

Many times when you have back pain it is caused by a spinal joint sprain – or “subluxation.”  Ligaments and discs hold two bones together to form a joint.  A sprain occurs when a joint is over stretched.

This can happen due to small micro traumas over several years or one acute event like a car accident, sports injury or slip and fall.  When the ligament becomes stretched and injured joints do not function properly, delicate nerve fibers can be injured.

Over time, even if untreated, pain can go away even though the spinal joint is not functioning properly.  This can lead to flare-ups in the future and degeneration as the joint moves improperly and wears out.  This is why something small – like bending over to pick up a pencil – can cause severe back pain.

Chiropractic adjustments and treatments are designed to re-align spinal bones in order to take pressure off ligaments, discs and nerve tissue..  This allows the spine to heal better.

Here’s a simple way to look at it:

If you broke your arm and didn’t get  the bone set properly – it would heal out of place and crooked.  The pain might go away in the short term – but there would most likely be big problems in the future.  The best thing to do is put everything in place and then let it heal properly.

Chiropractors are experts at getting your spinal bones and joint “in place” and working properly so they can heal correctly.

Chiropractors are also experts at keeping spines functioning properly to minimize future problems – much like periodic Dental check-ups and cleaning prevent tooth decay and loss down the road.

So, if you have back pain, you might want to try something that has a history starting in 400 B.C. with the father of medicine – Hippocrates – and has been practiced, improved and proven to help back pain.

If you do, just give us a call at 262-251-8306 and we will help you in any way that we can; conservatively and affordably!

Or log on to www.newbcakpainreliefinfo.com

What is the Best Mattress for Your Back?

Contrary to what to what most mattress store salesmen will tell you, firm surfaces are better for your back.  Soft mattresses allow your body to slump and curve into positions that put stress on the discs and joints.  As a result, you will wake up with pain.

Almost all the mattresses out there are too soft.  I think the basic reason everything is made so soft is that soft materials cost more and it justifies the expense of a mattress.  Firm mattresses are usually cheaper.

Good firm mattresses are often ruined by putting a pillow top on them.  Don’t use pillow tops.

All the exotic foam mattresses like Swedish, memory or tepur are too soft as well.  Many people who get these will have relief from pain when sleeping, but will wake up groggy and dizzy.  They will feel this way until their spine starts to tighten up as they get active.  Once it does this, they won’t feel groggy, but they will feel pain.  This is an effect of having too little support for the spine during sleep.

What is the best mattress?  Anything that’s firm.  I tell my patients to go to the store and ask for the firmest mattress they have.  In today’s world of mattresses, that will do it.  I haven’t found any that are too hard.  I often tell my back pain patients to sleep on the floor and 90% of them are surprised to find out how comfortable it is.

If you feel that the surface is too hard adjust your pillow height until the pressure is relieved.  If you are a side sleeper you will need your pillow to be higher.  If you sleep on your back, the pillow must be very flat.  Sometimes even just a few layers of a towel is all you need.

You should never undergo any type of treatment on your spine without addressing your mattresses and pillows.  Any treatment will be doomed to fail if you don’t let your spine properly rest and heal.

To find out more about how I treat back pain, log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com

How Do I Know When My Mattress Is Going Bad?

There are a few ways to know if your mattress is going bad.

First, if it is more than ten years old, stick a fork in it, its done.  Its shot, its gone.  I don’t care what its was made out of, it won’t last ten years.

Second, if its between five and ten years old, it is suspect.  It might still be good, but you need to evaluate it a little closer.  Does it look like its sagging?  Are there pits in it?  Do you feel pain in the morning?  If so, something is wrong with the mattress.

Sometimes you can flip it, sometimes you can put a board between the mattress and box-spring, you can even try switching sides with your partner.  But, these are stopgap measures that will get you by until you can get a better mattress.

What kind of mattress should you get?

The firmer the better.  As firm as you can. This flies in the face of every mattress salesman in the country, but my clinical experience, the clinical experience of other doctors and the research shows that a firm surface is best.

Most of the stuff on the market today is way too soft.  The exotic foams they use make it like sleeping on a bag of marshmallows.  Not good for the spine.

For more information on pillows, mattresses and spinal health log on to my web-site www.painfree-greatposture.com.

For more information on back pain, log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.

Arch Supports…“JUST SAY NO!”

Almost every doctor or foot expert in the country will tell you to pick shoes that have “good arch support”.  However, a study performed in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reviewed 35 years of research on footwear.  They concluded that there is no evidence whatsoever, that arch supports either treat or prevent injuries.  None.

They even contacted all the major shoe companies and asked for their research.  None replied.  What that means is, they either don’t have any research, or the research they have, shows their shoes don’t work.

The same goes for all the orthotics on the market.  Its all smoke and mirrors.  There is no evidence that these gadgets work.

From what I have observed over the last fifteen years in my office, arch supports actually make your body worse.  Arch supports tend to do the following:

1. They make your body posture slump forward.
2. Your breathing will be more restricted when wearing arch supports.
3. Your gait will be more restricted.
4. Your feet will tend to pound at the ground when you walk.
5. Arch supports limit your ability to change directions, causing decreased sports performance.
6. Your body will be more unstable when wearing arch supports.

You can test these things for yourself.  Do the following tests, first without shoes, then with shoes on.  (95% of shoes have arch supports in them)

1. Have someone stand in back of you and gently push on your shoulders.  See if you are more stable with shoes or without.
2. Have someone look at your posture, how does it look?
3. Take a few deep breaths see if you get restricted.
4. Walk around a little.  Do walk tall or do you slump over.  Do you pound the floor?
5. Shuffle around a little and see you change direction (move like playing tennis or shadowboxing)  Is you ability to change direction better, the same or worse with the shoes on.

Some of these tests, you may not notice a difference.  But, for most, you will.  Sometime it can be very dramatic.

What’s the best type of shoe ?  Time after time, when I have performed these tests with people, the best shoes turn out to be a flat, flexible shoe with a wide toe box.  A shoe with a small heel is good for most people, provided the back of the heel is the highest part of the shoe.

Vibram five finger shoes are the best by far, but they look weird and aren’t everyone’s style.  MUDD’s women’s shoes are perfect, I’ve never seen a bad shoe from them.  The have a nice size heel and women usually say they are the most comfortable shoe they own.  Cheap flat tennis shoes like Chuck Taylor’s or PF Flyers work out great.  I used to recommend Sketcher’s, however, in the past couple of years the company got sucked into the arch support vortex, and they are doing strange things with their shoes.  So I can no longer recommend them.  New Balance has some OK shoes, but all of them need to be altered slightly to make them work right.

For more information on shoes and other health topics, log on to: www.painfree-greatposture.com or if you have foot problems and want more info., log on to: www.stopyourfootpain.com

Non-surgical Scoliosis Treatment Without Bracing

One of the toughest things I have had to watch over the last fifteen years of practice, is how people with scoliosis are treated.  Medically, scoliosis is treated with two options,  bracing and fusion surgery.  Both of which are harsh options that can lead to a lifetime of pain and serious health consequences.

The medical people in my area probably won’t like me for writing this article, but I felt that I need to speak up.  And, if I can keep one kid off the operating table or from going through the pain that bracing causes, I feel I’ve done my job.

If you or your child has scoliosis you need to find out the cause.  Are there malformed bones ?  Tumors ?  Infection ?  This requires imaging studies like X-rays, CT or MRI scans.  These conditions are rare, but they do happen and imaging will quickly find them.  Tumors and infections must be treated immediately.

Most scoliosis is called idiopathic scoliosis.  That means, they don’t know the cause.  As a result, the treatments are misguided and detrimental.  Which always leads me to ask the question; how can you correct something if you don’t know the cause?

The typical scenario goes something like this:  A child gets a physical at his primary doctor or at school, and they notice a curvature in the spine.  The doctor or nurse tells the parents and refers them to an orthopedic specialist.  They take some films and find out they have idiopathic scoliosis.  If the curvature is measured to be below 40 degrees, the child is given a brace which the he or she will have to wear as close to 24/7 as possible.  The child is usually terrified at this point and must be talked into (or scared into) wearing it.

Now, keep in mind, idiopathic scoliosis in children is rarely painful.  However, it starts becoming painful after the bracing begins.  Children will often be up all night crying.  They suffer embarrassment at school and become limited in their daily activities like gym class and sports.  All this to find out that six months later when they are checked again, the curvature is the same or worse.

If the curvature is over 40 degrees, or if the parents and child can’t stand what is happening with the brace, surgery is suggested.  The surgery involves cutting the patient open and fusing the spine with rods and screws.  This is done, “to keep the curve from getting worse.”  Which it usually does.  The only problem is, now the area of fusion can’t move.  So the child may be severely limited in terms of activities after surgery.  Also, this fusion can cause biomechanical problems in the spine that can lead to debilitating pain.  Just having the metal hardware in the body can cause a myriad of symptoms.

The surgery may have to be re-done if the child’s growth causes problems.  Another problem many people fail to consider is this…once that rod is in there…it stays in there !  There are very few doctors with the training and the courage to take the rod out once its in there.

So what’s the answer ?  How should scoliosis be managed ?  By people who straighten spines for a living.  Chiropractors.

Chiropractors have been managing scoliosis patients for over 100 years.  Without surgery and with little or no bracing.

Mostly due to competitive reasons, orthopedists tend to scoff at chiropractic, saying it doesn’t work on scoliosis.  They often say there is no evidence that it helps.  There is evidence…its just not published in orthopedic journals.  (for obvious reasons)  There are many chiropractic techniques that help scoliosis.  They can even help after the child has been braced.

Unfortunately, they can’t undo surgery.  At that point, chiropractic can only be used for pain relief.

The smartest thing to do if you or your child has been diagnosed with scoliosis is to get a second opinion.  Explore your options.  Take a deep breath and relax.  You aren’t in a rush.  Don’t let anybody talk you into immediate drastic action, like bracing or surgery.

See a chiropractor, but not just any chiropractor.  Make sure the one you choose uses techniques that work to correct scoliosis.  Some chiropractors use different techniques that aren’t designed to correct scoliosis.   Some have attended schools that unfortunately do not teach scoliosis management as part of their curriculum.

Don’t expect overnight miracles.  Good scoliosis treatment can take several months to years.  Much like braces on teeth.  But, corrections can be made without dangerous surgery and without painful bracing.

I use a technique that does a consistently good job straightening scoliosis.  I like it because it works on the cause of scoliosis and lets the body correct itself.

To find out more about it, log on to www.painfree-greatposture.com or www.abcmiracles.com/scoltestimonials.htm

To set up a free consultation with me, call Jennifer at 262-251-8306.

What is “Good Posture?”

Have you ever noticed how many people have terrible posture?  One of the most common faulty postures is called “forward head carriage” or “anterior based occiput.”  Other terms are  “hump back” or slouching. There are several reasons for this common postural fault.  One is the weight of the head is, on average, approximately 10-13 pounds and if it’s positioned too far forwards, the muscles in the upper back and neck tighten up much more than normal, fatigue and become painful. Also, the muscles that attach to the skull have different degrees of strength. They also attach and pull at different angles, contributing to the common forward head carriage posture.  The muscles of the chest are much stronger than those in the mid and upper back and tend to pull our shoulders forward. The following pictures offer a good view of both a faulty posture as well as a “good” posture. Notice the forward shift in the line in the pictures of poor posture and backwards shift in the good posture pictures.

As you can see, the weight of the head is back over the shoulders and the shoulder posture is appropriately positioned back in the image titled “Good Head Posture.”

It is important to understand correcting Forward Head Carriage can take time – in fact, it takes a minimum of 3 month before this becomes an automatic new “habit.”  Of course, it could take longer if you sit in slouchy chairs, soft chairs or wear arch supports.  The great benefit you receive with your care at our office is that forward head posture gets corrected without exercises or any strain on your part.  Your body stands more upright without you having to think about it.

If you, a family member or a friend require care, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our service.  We are proud that chiropractic care has consistently scored the highest level of satisfaction when compared to other forms of health care provision and we look forward in serving you and your family presently and in the future.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR NECK PAIN! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 262-251-8306 OR LOG ON TO: WWW.PAINFREE-GREATPOSTURE.COM

Can Chronic Pain be Aggravated by Bad Weather?

Anyone who has treated chronic pain patients will tell you that patients seem to feel worse on days when the weather is bad.

In an research paper titled “The Relationship of Diagnosis and Weather Sensitivity in Chronic Pain Patients” (JNMS Vol.3, No.1, Spring 1995) the authors found that people with many different types of pain syndromes were adversely affected by bad weather.

They said “The onset of aching and tenderness around joints as an indication of impending storms has been a wives’ tale for centuries.  Clinicians have long observed that the weather seems to influence a number of physical conditions.  Numerous past surveys have reported weather sensitivity in patients with chronic pain.  Accounts date back to Hippocrates…”

So, the pain you may feel when the weather changes is not a psychological, “all in your head”, made up thing.  Its real.

The authors also found that this type of pain indicates bone and joint problems and not muscle problems.  So if you are experiencing this type of pain, treatments that focus on muscles won’t help it.  Treatments, like chiropractic, that focus on the joints, will help.

The authors found that spine pain, bulging discs, carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease were the most weather affected conditions.

To find out more about how I treat these conditions log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com or www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.com

Whiplash & Chiropractic Treatment

The term ‘whiplash’ represents a collection of symptoms that occur as a result of a soft tissue injury of the neck.  This includes over stretching and/or tearing of muscles, tendons, ligaments, disk tissue and/or nerve injuries due to the extreme movements that occur during a whiplash event (usually arising from a car accident).  We have discussed the mechanism of injury and the symptom complex that can arise in past articles.

So the question is – how many patients who sustain a whiplash injury actually improve and recover compared to those that don’t? In one study, it was stated that 43% of patients will suffer long-term symptoms after a whiplash type of injury. More specifically, if a patient is still symptomatic after 3 months following the injury, “…then there is almost a 90% chance that they will remain so.”  They go on to state that no conventional treatment has proven to be effective in helping these chronic cases.  The purpose of their study was to determine the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment in a group of chronic whiplash patients.  To do this, they studied 28 patients (20 women and 8 men, between ages 19-66, mean 39) over a 2-year time frame, injured in motor vehicle collisions. Their symptom severity was graded on an A to D scale (A=minimal symptoms vs. D=disabling symptoms, with B= nuisance and C=Intrusive or partially disabling). Those in Groups C & D either had to significantly modify their work or, they lost their jobs and relied on continual use of medications.  The chiropractic treatment included spinal manipulation (adjustments), controlled resistance of muscles to improve stability and coordination, and the use of ice.  Treatment from an emergency facility and/or their general practitioner and physical therapy had been previously utilized for on average 15.5 months, before entering this chiropractic-based study.  Initially, 27 of the 28 were classified into symptom groups C or D and symptoms included neck pain (82%), neck stiffness (36%), and other complaints of headache, shoulder, arm and back pain. Following treatment 26 of the 28 (93%) improved, 16 by one symptom group and 10 by two symptom groups and this degree of improvement was assessed and agreed upon by both an orthopedic surgeon as well as by a chiropractor.  Seventeen (61%) improved to a point of satisfaction where care was discontinued after the 1st assessment with 4 of the 17 considering return for treatment due to a return of symptoms.  Litigation was still pending in 20 of the 28 cases at the time the study concluded.

This study is very important as over 90% of chronic whiplash cases improved from chiropractic management well beyond the point of improvement obtained through standard emergency, family practice and physical therapy.  Other studies have pointed out that early intervention or treatment with chiropractic manipulation and management approaches generally results in a more favorable response compared to waiting for longer time periods. To be able to obtain this level of success after an average of 15.5 months is truly remarkable!

Chiropractic methods often utilized for patients with a “whiplash” injury include spinal manipulation (or adjustments), mobilization techniques (this includes stretching, figure 8 movements, manual traction), muscle release work (this includes trigger point therapy, myofascial release/friction massage, and others), and promoting self-help approaches (this includes exercise, home traction methods, computer station modifications and other job modifications as indicated, and others).

We realize you have a choice in where you choose for your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, chiropractic care is a logical first choice and we would be honored to offer our services.

For more information on these types of injuries, log on to www.chiropracticimpactreport.com

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE
FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 262-251-8306

What Many People Don’t Know About Chiropractic And What We Can Do For YOU*

*Especially if you have back pain

In just a moment I’m going to tell you some very interesting information about Chiropractic that most people do not know – but more importantly – what it can do for you and how it might even change your life.

This is really good stuff… especially if you have back pain now or have ever had back pain in the past.

But first, there is something else you should know about.  I think you’ll really like it.

Did you the use of Aspirin dates all the way back to around 400 B.C.?  It’s true.  The father of medicine, Hippocrates, who lived sometime between 460 B.C. and 377 B.C., left historical records that included the use of the bark of the willow tree to treat fever, headache and various pains.

It wasn’t until 1829 that scientists started figuring out what was going on.  That’s when they discovered a compound called salicin in the willow plant was responsible for the pain relief.

In that same year, scientists were able to turn salicin into salicylic acid.  The problem was that salicylic acid was very rough of the stomach and mouth… which limited its use.  Then, in 1853 a German scientist named Charles Frederic Gerhardt buffered (neutralized) the harshness of the acid by coating salicylic acid with sodium and acetyl chloride.  Although it worked, it was time consuming and Gerhardt stopped working on it because he didn’t think it was worth it.

OOOOPS!

In 1897 a German pharmacist working for a German pharmaceutical company Bayer, started looking for a solution for his father’s rheumatism.  His name was Felix Hoffmann and he “re-discovered” Gerhardt’s work and in 1899 patented a “new” pain reliever under the name Aspirin.

As a quick and interesting aside: During that same month, Hoffmann synthesized heroin by accident.  His discovery of heroin obviously didn’t end up working out as well as aspirin!

But, one of the truly remarkable thing about all this is:

Scientists did not have a clue how aspirin worked until 1971!  In that year, John Vane theorized how it worked for which he was awarded a Nobel prize in 1982.

Today, over 70 million pounds of aspirin are produced annually all over the world making it the world’s most widely used drug… and scientists still theorize about the exact mechanisms of aspirin.

So what’s all this have to do with Chiropractic and your back pain?

Here’s what:  Believe it or not – Chiropractic and aspirin have many things in common.

First — they can both be traced WAY back in history.

In fact, Hippocrates, who used a form of aspirin back in 400 B.C., also used a form of spinal manipulation.… and so did ancient Egyptians and many other cultures.

But, it was not until 1895 that D.D. Palmer invented “Chiropractic.”   Chiropractic was new and different because Palmer theorized the nervous system controlled every function of the body and Chiropractic adjustments (specific spinal manipulations) removed interference to blocked or pinched nerves.  This, in turn, not only relieved pain… it helped the entire body function better and heal from all sorts of illnesses and diseases.

Just like willow bark and eventually aspirin, spinal manipulation got results and became very popular… but the mechanisms were not understood.

But here’s were Chiropractic & Aspirin differ – in a very big way…

Doctors and scientists had no clue how aspirin worked – but it was hailed by the medical community as a wonder drug and mass-produced.

Doctors and scientists were not sure how Chiropractic worked – so it was branded unscientific and quackery.

Seems a little unfair – don’t you think?

Thank goodness in many areas, research has finally caught up with Chiropractic!

For example, Chiropractic’s ability to help relieve back pain is well researched.  It is a safe, effective and cost-effective way to relieve back pain.

How Does Chiropractic Work?…FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK:

Many times when you have back pain it is caused by a spinal joint sprain – or “subluxation.”  Ligaments hold two bones together to form a joint and a sprain occurs when a ligament is injured by over stretching it.

This can happen due to small micro traumas over several years or one acute event like a car accident, sports injury or slip and fall.  When the ligament becomes stretched and injured joints do not function properly, delicate nerve fibers can be injured.

Over time, even if untreated, pain can go away even though the spinal joint is not functioning properly.  This can lead to flare-ups in the future and degeneration as the joint moves improperly and wears out.  This is why something small – like bending over to pick up a pencil – can cause severe back pain.

Chiropractic adjustments and treatments are designed to normalize spinal motion as much as possible.  This allows the spinal joints to heal better.

Here’s a simple way to look at it:

If you broke your arm and didn’t get the bone set properly – it would heal out of place and crooked.  The pain might go away in the short term – but there would most likely be big problems in the future.  The best thing to do is put everything in place and then let it heal properly.

Chiropractors are experts at getting your spinal bones and joint “in place” and working properly so they can heal correctly.

Chiropractors are also experts at keeping spines functioning properly to minimize future problems – much like periodic Dental check-ups and cleaning prevent tooth decay and loss down the road.

So, if you have back pain, you might want to try something that has a history starting in 400 B.C. with the father of medicine – Hippocrates – and has been practiced, improved and proven to help back pain.

If you do, just give us a call at 262-251-8306 and we will help you in any way that we can; conservatively and affordably!

I hope you found this information interesting and helpful.

For more information about how I treat back pain log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com

Fibromyalgia – Does This Sounds Familiar?

“I am exhausted and hurt all over.  I can’t get to sleep at night and when I do, I wake up at the drop of a dime.  I went to my doctor and they ran some blood tests and took some x-rays and said that nothing was wrong.  I just don’t know what is wrong or what to do about it.”

This is a classic history obtained from a patient suffering from fibromyalgia or FM.  Because the onset of fibromyalgia is slow and gradual, it is common for patients to postpone visiting their health care provider until the symptoms are quite significant. The diagnosis may also be delayed as many healthcare providers do not feel fibromyalgia is a legitimate medical condition and minimize the symptoms frequently categorizing them as “depressed,” which postpones an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

The classic definition as defined by the American College of Rheumatology includes at least a three-month duration of symptoms with the presence of 11 out of 18 potential tender points although diffuse, widespread pain not necessarily restricted to these exact locations may also represent an appropriate diagnostic finding in fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is more common in females and affects approximately 2% of the population in the United States. The risk of developing fibromyalgia increases with age, usually developing during early and middle adulthood but can also develop in children and older adults. Other risk factors include a positive family history where one may be more likely to develop FM if a relative suffers with the same condition.

A major risk factor of developing fibromyalgia includes is disturbed sleep pattern and this remains controversial as to whether sleeping disorders are a direct cause or simply the result of fibromyalgia. However, in either case, people with FM cannot obtain deep “restorative” sleep and feel fatigued and tired upon waking in the morning. Sleep disorders including sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are often present in patients with fibromyalgia.

Certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, hypothyroid, and other endocrine/hormonal conditions may preceded the onset of fibromyalgia in which case the condition is considered “secondary fibromyalgia.” Hence, a diagnostic evaluation usually includes a blood test for hypothyroid, autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, and a complete blood count to rule out infections and/or anemia. In most cases, these tests prove negative and the diagnosis is made by excluding other possible primary conditions.

Other causes can include physical and/or emotional trauma where a high-level of stress can trigger this condition. Although experts still debate why patients with fibromyalgia hurt so intensely, the current explanation centers around a theory called central sensitization. This is essentially a lower pain threshold where patients with FM feel pain much sooner than those without it because of increased sensitivity in the brain and/or spinal cord to incoming pain signals.

Treatment of FM relies on a multidiscipline, multifactorial approach including stress reduction, obtaining enough sleep, exercising regularly, pacing yourself, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including diet and exercise. Other highly effective treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic website, include chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, and/or acupuncture. The concepts of chiropractic treatment includes restoring movement in restricted spinal joints resulting in improved nerve function and subsequently, improved overall function and reduced pain. Chiropractic care also includes cold laser, nutritional counseling and patient education. We recognize the importance of including chiropractic in your treatment of FM and realize you have a choice of providers. We would be honored to be part of your management team.

YOU MAY BE A CANDIDATE FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR FIBROMYALGIA! FOR A FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION CALL 262-251-8306