What is it?
Nobody knows. That's
why they call it a syndrome, which is the worst possible scenario for someone
with pain--no clear diagnosis. You see, fibromyalgia (FM) is just a collection
of signs and symptoms that can change from day to day. But fibromyalgia can be
severe, and it can take its toll anywhere on the body. It can also be an
underlying cause of neck and back pain.
What causes it?
In a word: imbalances.
These imbalances can occur in our stress levels, hormone levels, and nutritional
levels. They also manifest themselves through inconsistent sleep patterns and
the body's inability to clear metabolic waste. Muscle imbalances can adversely
affect your posture, which can lead to neck and back pain. Other causes of
fibromyalgia include psychological factors, trauma, surgical procedures, and
even the silent epidemic of Lyme's disease.
How is your condition diagnosed?
There is no set of
diagnostic symptoms that clearly indicates FM, so it is usually given a clinical
diagnosis by your physician. If you suspect you are suffering from FM, it is
best to seek out a rheumatologist who is an expert in fibromyalgia.
What are the symptoms?
The classic symptoms
are chronic and systemic pain and tenderness, fatigue, muscle spasm, weakness in
the extremities, and sleep disturbances. There is a long list of additional
symptoms, and it should be understoood that each person will experience any or
all of these symptoms differently. The extent and severity will also depend on
the individual.
What are the most common treatments?
By far, the most
common treatment is medication, including antidepressants, antiseizure drugs,
and sleeping pills. There are also non-drug treatments such as physical exercise
and water therapy, as well as many of the modalities that use hot packs and
ultrasound. Stimulating blood flow using massage or a hot tub has also shown to
be beneficial.
Why do traditional treatments fail?
Most traditional
treatments fail to provide quality relief because they merely address the
symptoms and fail to address the cause of the condition. Unless the cause is
fully understood, trying to get rid of the problem becomes a guessing game. One
thing is certain: no treatment has been found to be the "one thing that works
for everyone."
Which treatments work best?
Fibromyalgia is by far
the most complicated and misunderstood condition associated with chronic pain
and most people get the best results when they combine multiple treatment
approaches together.
The first is making sure you get the very best and
most up to date information you can on the condition, including your own
experimentation with what you can tolerate and what works best for you. There
maybe some missing links in your treatment plan so never stop learning and
trying new things.
Second, you may have never heard of this point of view
but Fibromyalgia is a vitality issue and consideration into environmental
toxins, controlling Oxidative stress and Systemic Inflammation, drinking clean
water, changing your eating habits and having a spiritual guide should be the
basics of your program.
Every one with Fibromyalgia has Trigger Points
and everyone should have a way to administer self trigger point Therapy everyday
to them self, immediately followed by and combine with Muscle Balance Therapy to
restore balance and proper function of the muscles and joints.
Inversion
Therapy is a viable option for Fibromyalgia suffers based on the many overall
healthy benefits it has been shown to help with, just to mention a few improved
circulation, stress reduction, improved range of motion as well as spinal
decompression.
Learn to take time for your self and relax, with the use
of far-infrared heat, it can help immensely, it is deep penetrating and
dramatically improves the blood flow to the area in question for very quick
relief and improved range of motion.