Fibromyalgia’s New Name

If you have fibromyalgia, you know the frustration of seeing a bunch of doctors and not getting a straight answer as to what is wrong with you.  Even when the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made, your doctor just gives you drugs to mask the symptoms.  You never get down to the cause.

In July of 2011, a paper was published in the Journal of Internal Medicine that may help you understand what is wrong with you.  The study is calling fibromyalgia and its diagnostic twin, chronic fatigue syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis.  (ME)

Myalgic encephalomyelitis means muscle pain caused by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.  The authors of the study are saying that the term more accurately describes the condition and I agree.

I have been treating fibromyalgia cases since 2002, using the best available research.  The research has been pointing towards encephalomyelitis as a cause for more than a decade.

Swelling of the brain and spinal cord needs to be addressed for the pain to go away.  The inflammation can come from a variety of sources.  The largest single source is adverse mechanical tension on the spinal cord.  The spine misaligns in a way that stretches the spinal cord and irritates it until it becomes inflamed.  This causes the symptoms.

But other causes for the inflammation may also need to be addressed.  Diet, oxidative stress, excitotoxins, and dysbiosis can all contribute to the problem.  You need to find a doctor who knows what to look for and how to treat it.

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

How To Sleep When You Have Back Pain

How you sleep is probably one of the main contributors to back pain.  During sleep, back muscles relax and rejuvenate.  The discs between the bones of the spine regenerate and refill with fluid.  And, any tissues that were damaged during the day, will repair at night.

None of the above will happen if you sleep in a contorted or unsupported position.

When you were a young child, you could sleep just about any way you wanted.  Your bones weren’t fully developed, your discs were more pliable, and your muscles rejuvenated quicker.

But as you age, tissues that once were soft, start to stiffen up.  You can’t just sleep any old way anymore.   If you do, you will feel it in the morning.

So, here’s what you need to do.

-Avoid Stomach Sleeping-when you sleep on your stomach, you turn your head to the side to breathe.  This puts pressure on the neck and will cause neck pain and headaches.

-Sleep on your side or your back.  When on your back, use a very small pillow or no pillow at all.  When on your side, the pillow height should be high enough that you feel your head is slightly propped up, but not too high that you feel pressure in your neck.  When your pillow height is correct, you won’t need to put a pillow between the knees.

-Always use a firm surface.  Soft mattresses do not support the spine properly and put your body in a contorted position.  There is no need to use any “gadget” mattresses.  A firm mattress with the right pillow height works every time.

If you are having back pain, someone should be working with you on how you are sleeping.  Unfortunately, most medical doctors, chiropractors and therapists do not focus on it and people suffer un-necessarily from pain.

If I ran the world, it would be malpractice to not teach a back pain patient how to sleep.

I once worked with a husband and wife who both had the same back surgery.  No one ever told them that their 20 year old mattress, that was noticeably sagging for the last 5 years, was the cause of their pain.  All the pain suffering and surgery could have been avoided with conservative treatment and a new mattress.

To find out how I treat back pain log on to: www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com

Does Weather Make Pain Worse?

Any doctor who has treated people in chronic pain will hear the patients say that they feel more pain when the weather is bad.  Especially cool humid weather.

Is this all in the patient’s head or is there some scientific cause for it ?

Well a study done in the journal, Spine, in 2004, studied 26,862 patients from 23 different health centers in the National Spine Network.  They concluded that changes in barometric pressure caused people to have lower scores on general health surveys.  (SF-36).  This meant that people rated their general health, physical function, bodily pain, mental health, social function, fatigue and emotional health, lower when the barometric pressure changed.

A study in the Journal of Rheumatology in 1985 showed that falling barometric pressure indicative of a coming storm, increased arthritic symptoms in patients.

Another study noted that 76 to 83% of patients could predict rain by their arthritic symptoms.  (Ann Rheum Dis 1990;49:158-9)

Patients with higher self-reported pain were more weather sensitive.  (Pain 1999;81:173-7)

So there is a definite link to weather and chronic pain.  Research findings suggest that abnormal nerve impulses generated at injured areas could cause increased pain and that these impulses are sensitive to and aggravated by weather.

But the pain is not directly caused by the weather.  An injured or arthritic area is the cause of the pain.  The weather changes merely aggravate the problems.  It is important to get injuries and arthritis treated properly so your pain levels go down and you aren’t as sensitive to weather changes.

For more information on how I treat chronic pain, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com or www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.

Why Fibromyalgia Can Kill You!

I have been treating fibromyalgia for about 8 years now and it has been an adventure to say the least.  Unfortunately, many medical doctors don’t even think it exists.  The average fibromyalgia patient that comes to see me has seen four other doctors.  When I started eight years ago it was six.

The story is always the same.  Pills, pills, pills.  No results.  Live with it.

When treating a fibromyalgia patient I’ve always tried to focus on what might be causing the widespread pain.  I’ve found that about 80% of fibromyalgia patients have a particular type of misalignment in the spine that can be corrected.  When the misalignment is corrected, most of the pain goes away.

I say most, but not all, because I have found that for about half the fibromyalgia patients, spinal adjusting is not enough. They need help with other problems as well.  These problems can lead to other more serious diseases like Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer.

The problems have to do with inflammation (swelling) that comes from oxidative stress.  Oxidative stress is a term used to describe what happens when the body is overwhelmed by toxic foods and drugs.  As the body tries to process these toxins, it gets swollen and damaged.  The swelling is systemic, meaning that it happens all over.  It affects the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and digestive tract just as much as the muscles and joints.

The all over pain of fibromyalgia is really a warning signal that more serious problems are going on.

The good news is that it is treatable.  If the body is given the nutrients it needs, it will repair itself.  The pain will go away and many other illnesses can be prevented.

How do you find out if you are one of the fibromyalgia patients that needs nutritional therapy ?  You need to get your blood checked for signs of inflammation.  These are the same tests your MD would use to look for cardiac inflammatory problems.  Tests like CRP, homocysteine and fibrinogen.

In an MD’s office, they would treat the inflammation with drugs.  In my office, I order the blood tests and then I treat the problems with nutrition.  The side effects are non-existent, it works better and the body gets what it really needs.

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

Reference:  “Why myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) may kill you !: disorders in the inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways may explain cardiovascular disorders in ME/CFS”  Maes M, Twisk FN. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2009;30(6):677-93.

Can You Recommend A Detox Product?

Several of my patients have asked about different detox products they have seen on TV or in health food stores.  The product I recommend and use myself is Total Tea.  I use it because it is gentle acting and the herbs in it have multiple benefits, not just in detoxification.  It is not the total answer if you are concerned about toxicity in your body, but it is a great start.

Total Tea contains:

GynoStemma (Gynostemma pentaphyllum)

• Acts as a scavenger in the stomach and intestines to eliminate waste and toxins from the body
• Helps accelerate metabolism by adjusting blood sugar and reducing blood fat
• Contains many beneficial amino acids and vitamins and minerals, including selenium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, manganese, phosphorus and more
• Strengthens the body’s overall health and thought to have a strong anti-fatigue effect

Senna (Cassia angustifolia, Locust Plant)

• A “cleansing herb” that relieves constipation, increases peristalsis, and helps soften stools

Papaya (Carica papaya)

• Contains “papain”, an enzyme chemically related to “pepsin” which helps digest protein in the body and acts as an anti-inflammatory
• A safe and natural digestive aid that helps prevent indigestion

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)

• Excellent digestive aid that helps reduce stomach acids and contains anti-inflammatory components
• Relieves indigestion, gas pains, irritation to the intestinal walls, diarrhea, and stomach cramping
• Contains therapeutic properties that stimulate blood circulation, toxin removal, and cleansing of the bowels and kidneys

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

• Soothes and comforts the stomach, promoting healthy digestion
• Stimulates the flow of digestive juice and bile and the expulsion of gas from the GI tract
• Helps with the treatment of ulcerative conditions of the bowel and intestinal colic

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

• Stimulates the immune system to counter both bacterial and viral infections
• An alterative herb that can be used for long periods of time to gradually and gently detoxify the blood stream thus improving digestion, glandular secretion and assimilation
• Contains anti-inflammatory components

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

• Calms and relaxes the entire body; reduces anxiety; supports a healthy nervous system; helps ease digestion, tense muscles, and menstrual pain; relieves irritability; and helps sleep
• Contains anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the digestive tract and help relieve pain, indigestion, acidity, gas, gastritis, bloating, colic, ulcers and other inflammatory conditions of the digestive system

Rosehips (Rosa canina)

• Mild diuretic and laxative that helps soften stools without purging
• Beneficial for constipation, infections, bladder problems and diarrhea
• Excellent nutritional supplement and helps prevent colds

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

• Used to combat microorganisms, diarrhea and other GI disorders, and has anti-oxidant properties

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

• Used to treat constipation
• Possesses anti-inflammatory properties

For more information on Total Tea go to www.totaltea.net.  You can also get it at my office for the same price as online.  If you would like to sample it, ask Jennifer on your next visit and she will make you some.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS): Management Strategies

Many patients ask whether I treat conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.   Usually they are surprised to learn that chiropractic approaches are very effective for this condition.

Interestingly, it is the rule rather than the exception that carpal tunnel syndrome is accompanied with other conditions also caused by repetitive types of activities like work or hobbies.  Therefore, a very important treatment strategy is educating the patient about the causes of CTS.  Overuse and fatigue typically precedes the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Other types of conditions affecting the upper extremity such as tennis elbow, shoulder bursitis, and neck pain are often present with the CTS.  Once all the conditions are identified, the next important aspect in the treatment process is gaining an understanding of the patient’s work or hobbies. A successful outcome is dependent on identifying faulty workstations and modifying the work environment so that repetitive forces in awkward positions can be corrected.  This is important because the most effective treatment approach can be made totally ineffective by a faulty workstation.

To find out more about how I treat carpal tunnel syndrome, log on to www.relieffromcarpaltunnel.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.

Medical vs. Chiropractic Treatment in Acute and Chronic Back Pain

Have you ever considered who is the best suited to treat back pain?  A study looking at this very question compared the effectiveness between medical and chiropractic intervention.  Over a 4-year time frame, 2780 patients were followed (initial, 2-week, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 month intervals) with questionnaires.  Both acute (symptoms <7weeks) and chronic (symptoms >7weeks) low back pain (LBP) patients were treated using conventional approaches by both the MDs and the DCs.  Treatments from the chiropractors included spinal manipulation, physical therapy, an exercise plan, and self-care education.  Medical therapies included prescription drugs, an exercise plan, self-care advice and about 25% of the patients received physical therapy.

The study focused on present pain severity and functional capacity, measured by questionnaires that were mailed to the patients. It was reported that chiropractic was favored over medical treatment in the following areas:

♦ Pain relief in the first 12 months (more evident in the chronic patients)

♦ When LBP pain radiated below the knee (more evident in the chronic patients)

♦ Chronic LBP patients with no leg pain (during the first 3 months)

This study also found that early intervention reduced chronic pain.  While both medical and chiropractic treatment approaches helped, it’s quite clear from the information reported that chiropractic treatment approaches should be utilized first.  Not only because it is more effective, but also because it is safer and less costly.

To find out more about how I treat low back pain and other low back related conditions like sciatica, spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis log on to www.newbackpainreliefinfo.com.

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.