Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes widespread pain, problems with sleep, extreme fatigue, and other symptoms. Over 5 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia, with the vast majority being women. Fibromyalgia has a major impact on quality of life. Patients not only have to deal with pain and fatigue, but fibromyalgia is frequently accompanied by depression, anxiety, and issues with memory (often called “fibro fog”).
Relief solutions are limited, especially since fibromyalgia is still in the process of being fully understood. Medication and various self-care options are often recommended, but the focus is traditionally on getting symptomatic relief instead of addressing the underlying cause.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help with Fibromyalgia?
Current research is promising, showing that chiropractic care focused on the realignment of the upper cervical spine can help people suffering from fibromyalgia. Several cases outline the success and resolution of fibromyalgia symptoms after a course of upper cervical chiropractic care. This success can be attributed to the removal of irritation to the nervous system caused by a misalignment of the vertebrae at the very top of the neck – the atlas (C1) and axis (C2). These two vertebrae protect the brainstem, a critical part of our nervous system that helps to relay pain signals between the brain and body. A spinal misalignment in this area can create the conditions in which the body may not be able to process pain properly, leading to fibromyalgia.
At Read Health Center, our goal is to identify problems with the alignment of your upper cervical spine that can potentially be the root cause of your fibromyalgia symptoms. If we do find an atlas or axis misalignment, then we are able to start a course of care to correct the problem. We use the NUCCA technique, which is extremely gentle and very precise. This allows for the restoration of normal alignment, which reduces the irritation on the brainstem, nerves, and surrounding tissues. Given time to heal, patients can experience a reduction or even a complete disappearance of their fibromyalgia symptoms.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Read or call our Ames office at 515-233-8880 or simply click the button below.
