Ask the Doctor...About Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Immune Disorder

In response to my first post, a reader asked me a question.

Reader: What are the benefits/advantage and disadvantages of chiropractic treatment for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Immune Disorder?

These two conditions are somewhat related, but also distinctively separate.  The diagnosis for both conditions is difficult and not an exact science to begin with, which makes treatment avenues even more confusing.  To answer this question, I will first fill the readers in on what Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Immune Disorder are.

Fibromyalgia is a disabling and painful myofascial (the fascia surrounding and associated with the muscle) condition characterized by patients feeling pain all over the body, as well as complaining of fatigue, depression and lack of sleep.  Many patients also report feeling high levels of anxiety, as well as difficulty concentrating or remembering things. 

Patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia often have tried various forms of treatment, and while some work for awhile, patients find no lasting freedom from pain.  Fibromyalgia is a disease in which there is no clear cut way of diagnosis, and as a result, many medical doctors fail to recognize it as a true physiological condition.  These doctors attribute the patient’s pain to emotional or psychological stress.  Fibromyalgia is indeed real.  Chemical compounds in the central nervous system (brain and spine) are changed, which affects the body’s ability to send nerve impulses across channels.  The pain associated with Fibromyalgia can be constant and excruciating for some, but mild and sporadic for others. 

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is defined as “A group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition.”

In a recent study published in the "Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry", researchers compared symptoms in over 37, 000 patients whose presenting complaints also included chronic unexplained fatigue.  The researchers were attempting to define the diagnostic criteria for people suffering from CFS.  Across cultures and geographic areas, they found five distinct categories of symptoms:  at least six months of unexplained fatigue, trouble concentrating and thinking straight, join pain with or without redness and swelling, sleeping problems, and disturbed mood.

Possible ways to get CFS include infections (most often post-operatively), physical response to emotional stress especially large amounts of stress early in life), neurally mediated hypotension (an automatic nervous system disorder), allergic reactions, food sensitivities, and finally immune dysfunction.

So can chiropractic help a patient suffering from Fibromyalgia?  I am inclined to believe that yes, it does.  Chiropractors focus on maintaining a healthy spine, and in return a healthy nervous system.  Adjusting the spine and removing roadblocks on the nerves allow them to fire properly with no nerve impulse impedance.    In addition to this benefit of chiropractic care, spinal adjustments also restore body carriage and decrease undue stress that has been placed on various joints due to pain and dysfunction. 

As far as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the cause is somewhat mysterious and there is no cure.  Some symptoms can be eliminated or significantly reduced through some documented treatment regimens, including chiropractic adjustments.  Why?  Because the spine is aligned properly through adjustments, which will conserve some of your energy, reduce the load on your joints, and decrease the stress to your nervous system.  Furthermore, chiropractic adjustments can increase the function of your immune system, which is sometimes compromised in patients with CFS. 

No matter which condition you have, your chiropractor will probably discuss further with you different lifestyle changes and/or nutritional supplementation programs that can help relieve your pain and other symptoms as well. 

I know that these two pain syndromes can be frustrating, so why not give chiropractic care a try?  All you have to lose is your pain!  Ask your chiropractor for a free consultation so you can decide together whether chiropractic care can help you.

I hope this answered your question.  Please feel free to contact me at karrie@vandersluischiropractic.com if you need further information.