Why We Hurt?

A book I highly recommend to anyone who deals with chronic pain is called Why We Hurt by Dr. Greg Fors.

He wrote the book after his daughter was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  He is a doctor of chiropractic and he was broken hearted watching his daughter crawl up the stairs to bed because she couldn’t walk.  He thought “how could this be ?  She has eaten nothing but organic food her whole life and she has been receiving good chiropractic care.  Why would she have this problem.”

So, he did a lot of studying.  He learned from some of the best experts in the country.  He was able to find out what was wrong with his daughter and cure it.

What was the problem ?  She had a claustidium infection in her small intestine that was spilling toxins into her system.  The toxins caused her to hurt all over like she had the flu.  Once the infection was treated properly, the pain went away.

The book is a great read.  The information in it is fantastic for both patients and doctors.  Though it is written for patients.  It outlines many different testing procedures that are helpful in finding out what is wrong and how to fix it.

Due to an arrangement I have with Labcorp Labs and Genova Diagnostics, I am able to order and analyze all the blood, urine and stool tests outlined in the book.  Because I have taken seminars with Dr. Fors, I have access to him if I have any questions, which is a huge help.  He’s a great guy.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue, then this book would be a great thing for you to have.  You can get it at Amazon.com.

To find out more about how I treat chronic pain, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com or go to my web-site www.painfree-greatposture.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

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.

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.

Fibromyalgia and Cord Compression?

Fibromyalgia is a difficult problem to diagnose or determine its cause. Since exercises, diet, and weight loss can be so helpful to fibromyalgia patients, we may think they can completely solve the problem.  But often they don’t.

Chiropractors recognize the importance of good spinal posture in affecting a variety of health problems, including fibromyalgia. It’s important to not think of the disease as having a single solution, but rather as a more complex entity, needing a comprehensive approach. But is there any research on the spine being involved in patients with fibromyalgia?

Recent research (Holman AJ. Positional cervical spinal cord compression and fibromyalgia: a novel comorbidity with important diagnostic and treatment implications. J Pain 2008; May 20 epub.) has looked into a specific  problem seen in fibromyalgia patients: spinal cord compression. The scientist took MRIs of fibromyalgia patients with the neck in different positions such as max forward and backward bend. These positions can show the spinal cord is compressed/pinched where a neutrally positioned MRI or CT scan may not. In the study, 71% of patients with fibromyalgia had positional cervical spinal cord compression.

So what does this mean? It means if you have fibromyalgia there may be an undetected cervical compression problem that may also be affecting you.

Good neck posture and mobility are keys to good health. We can diagnose your condition and see if there is a spinal component to your problem that may have been overlooked. Sometimes it’s the low back pain that keeps us from exercising and ultimately getting rid of the fibromyalgia-inactivity-pain cycle. And, as the research above suggests, maybe the problem is in the neck and this needs to be addressed in a specific and comprehensive manner. Sometimes immobility in one area of the spine is compensated for in another, which can make your ability to heal somewhat lessened. Maybe the neck has been a concern of yours for a long time since the fibromyalgia symptoms came on following a neck trauma such as a whiplash. If you also suffer from headaches and have spinal pain, these are important clues that some of your symptoms may be spinally related.

It’s important to view your fibromyalgia symptoms from a global perspective, and not just think of one isolated issue as the root cause, and the only place where treatment needs to be directed.

To get more FREE information on how fibromyalgia can be treated without drugs or surgery log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com.

If you would like a complimentary consultation to begin to address your health concerns, just give Leah or Jennifer a call at 262-251-8306 to make an appointment.

Is Fibromyalgia Real?

Is fibromyalgia real?  I am often asked this and the answer is yes… and no.  Yes, the pain is absolutely real and it can’t be explained away as something that’s “all in your head.” And no, in 99% of the cases it is not the result of some poorly understood disorder, but from a condition medical doctors likely do not find or treat.

In treating fibro. successfully for the last seven years, I have come to the conclusion that fibromyalgia is really a collection of problems that don’t get solved by medical doctors very well.

Fibromyalgia patients feel pain all over their body.  Lots of tests are usually done and nothing definitive comes up.  The diagnosis is often made by applying pressure to 18 different points on the body.  If 11 of the 18 are sore, you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

From there it is usually treated with a lot of drugs, some physical therapy and instructions on how to better cope with the pain. Patients usually go from doctor to doctor looking for answers.  By the time the average fibromyalgia patient gets to my office, they have seen six other doctors.

More than half of the fibromyalgia patients I treat, are really suffering from chronic whiplash.  They’ve been in a car accident at some point and they’ve gone downhill ever since.  Once the neck injury is treated properly, the symptoms quickly subside.

Some fibromyalgia patients have undiagnosed thyroid conditions.  When the thyroid is not functioning properly, wide-spread aches and pains develop.  The current blood testing methods are not sensitive enough to pick up many thyroid problems.  And, many physicians will not diagnose a thyroid problem if the tests come back normal.

Nutritional disorders are present in most fibromyalgia patients.  The typical American diet is loaded with foods that cause inflammation in the body.  Inflammation causes pain.    Medical doctors are notorious for not giving dietary advice, and/or giving the wrong dietary advice.  There is no way a bad diet can be corrected with a pill.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not slamming the medical profession…OK, maybe a little.  But, you must realize that their training does not allow them to explore the types of treatments that fibromyalgia patients need.  For example, they wouldn’t know if you have a cavity in your mouth, but a dentist would.

If you have fibromyalgia, seeing a chiropractor could be the best decision you ever make.  We have training that allows us to detect and treat most of the problems fibromyalgia patients have.  Make sure the chiropractor you choose has experience treating fibromyalgia and uses techniques that you can tolerate.  I know from experience, you can’t adjust a sensitive fibromyalgia patient the same way you adjust a construction worker.

For more information on fibromyalgia, log on to www.stopyourfibronow.com and my office can send you a free copy of my report “Why Your Doctor May Be The Biggest Obstacle You Face In Getting Rid Of Your Fibromyalgia Pain”.

If you are interested in getting some help right away, call Jennifer or Leah at 262-251-8306 and they can set up a FREE no obligation consultation so we can talk about your situation and see if I can help.