Fibromyalgia: Symptoms, Causes, Natural Treatment Options

After an intense sports or exercise session, you will likely go home feeling all sore, and your joints and muscles may feel tender and hurt. This painful feeling is unpleasant but actually pretty normal. Usually, this pain leaves after a day or two, or at the very least, significantly reduces. Now, imagine a scenario where this pain and tenderness just never leaves. Sounds like a nightmare, doesn’t it? Well, that’s sadly the reality of millions of people in the US. If you think you’re one of them, you have come to the right place on the internet.

Whether it’s as simple as a paper cut, from more serious activities like running a 5K, or from severe medical conditions like cancer, one feeling we all experience in life is pain. As unpleasant as it is, pain actually protects the body from damage. Seriously, imagine a world where you don’t feel pain at all. It may seem like paradise, but how then will your body communicate to you that grabbing a 400-degree stove handle with your bare hands is actually bad for you? Exactly! 

However, sometimes, pain stops being protective and actually becomes an unnecessary burden. One such time is when you have a kind of pain known as chronic pain. Unlike your regular pain, chronic pain remains even when there are no causative factors, lasting more than three months and significantly affecting the quality of life of affected people. So, the widespread pain you experience in your muscles and joints with no real cause may be a symptom of a kind of chronic pain known as fibromyalgia. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to take this pain on the chin and live your days feeling horrible. Functional medicine treatment options can help you relieve pain and improve your quality of life. We will consider these options below, as well as other important details about the condition and how you can manage it. 

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as other symptoms like fatigue and mental problems. There is no known cause of fibromyalgia, but it is generally accepted that the condition results from a pain disorder problem in the central nervous system.

Normally, when noxious stimuli (stimuli that can cause tissue damage, like heat and pressure) are present, the pain receptors (nociceptors) are activated. Nociceptors then relay the sensory information to the brain regions that control perception, leading to the production of sensory signals that are felt as pain. The feeling of pain varies between people.

However, in fibromyalgia, it is thought that there is a problem with this normal pain process, and patients perceive noxious stimuli more sensitively. Therefore, these patients feel pain more intensely than normal and also experience pain from stimuli that normally should not cause pain. 

What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

The main symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain. This pain is chronic (long-lasting) and is commonly observed in the arms, legs, chest, abdomen, back, head, and buttocks. The pain may occur as throbbing, burning, or aching since we experience pain differently.

There are other symptoms of fibromyalgia aside from pain, including:

• Fatigue
• Sleep difficulties
• Hyperalgesia (extreme sensitivity to pain) and allodynia (feeling pain from stimuli that should normally not cause pain)
• Muscle or joint stiffness
• Mental problems, like depression, concentration issues
• Headaches
• Gastrointestinal issues

What Are the Causes of Fibromyalgia?

The causes of fibromyalgia are still not fully known. However, the consensus seems to be that genetic and environmental factors play a part in the development of the condition. Therefore, your risk of having the condition is much higher if your family members have it. Also, underlying conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis or mental health problems, can increase the risk of getting fibromyalgia. 

Conventional Treatment of Fibromyalgia

The conventional treatment of fibromyalgia – as with most other conditions treated using conventional medicine – is centered around medication use. Treatment usually targets symptomatic relief as it is often difficult to identify the cause of fibromyalgia. The medications typically used for treating fibromyalgia include antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants. 

You may consider it strange that the standard pain medications you may be familiar with (paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, and diclofenac) do not make the list of fibromyalgia medications. The reason these standard pain medications are not used is that there is simply no evidence that shows that these medications work. In fact, using them can actually worsen matters. Here’s why.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (called NSAIDs, including aspirin, diclofenac, and ibuprofen) and acetaminophen, like other medications, have side effects. NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney issues, and cardiovascular problems. Acetaminophen (paracetamol; or Tylenol) can also potentially cause significant kidney, heart, and gastrointestinal problems. 

There is still a risk of dangerous side effects, even for the medications that are used in managing fibromyalgia. For example, antidepressants can cause weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and heart problems; anticonvulsants can cause dizziness, headaches, mood changes, and also weight gain; muscle relaxants can cause headaches, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, and blurred vision. The risk of these side effects occurring increases with long-term use, and since fibromyalgia is a long-term condition, medication use for its management is not always a sustainable strategy. 

Many patients have also reported that there is an “invalidation” of their symptom experience by conventional healthcare practitioners. Patients may feel that their healthcare providers do not adequately understand, acknowledge, support, and recognize their symptoms. The lack of trust in their healthcare provider then leads to frustration, embarrassment, and skepticism on the patient’s side. Eventually, there is a compromise on the patient-physician relationship needed for the total management of a condition.

Functional Medicine Treatment of Fibromyalgia

Functional medicine is a science-backed branch of medicine that helps manage conditions by identifying their root causes and developing a personalized treatment plan. The goal in functional medicine is to not only treat symptoms of a condition but also treat the whole system and ensure total treatment, a process known as holistic healing. 

Fibromyalgia can be managed using the principles and techniques of functional medicine. Functional medicine treatment is standard in managing fibromyalgia and helping to improve the quality of life of patients, per studies by the South Texas Orthopaedic Research Institute, Laredo, USA. 

Benefits of Functional Medicine Treatment of Fibromyalgia

The benefits of functional medicine in treating fibromyalgia are mainly safety and effectiveness. The holistic healing that functional medicine operates on also improves patients’ trust in their healthcare. 

Below are the main benefits of functional medicine treatment of fibromyalgia. 

Effective 

Functional medicine is effective in the treatment and management of fibromyalgia, as different studies by the National University of Natural Medicine & Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA show. The different functional medicine strategies and treatment options can help manage symptoms and restore the patient’s quality of life through holistic healing. Also, functional health practitioners can restructure the patient’s perception of the condition. 

Functional health practitioners target the mindset of the patient through proper patient education on the condition, particularly on its symptoms, severity, treatment guidelines, and potential triggers. A positive mindset on the condition contributes to the effectiveness of the later treatment strategies for the patient. 

What’s more, patients turn to functional medicine for fibromyalgia because of the invalidation (poor support, understanding, recognition, and acknowledgment of symptoms) of the condition from conventional healthcare practitioners. We cannot overstate how important it is for patients to trust their healthcare provider for a treatment plan to be effective, and functional healthcare providers make it a point to earn this trust and personalize their treatment. 

Safe

Functional medicine is based on natural principles and not medications, meaning minimal risks are associated with its use compared to conventional medicine. The safety advantage functional medicine holds over conventional medicine can be significant in individuals who respond negatively to conventional medications for fibromyalgia.

The safety of a treatment option is just as—if not more—important than its efficacy. One of the biggest problems with using medications to manage chronic conditions like fibromyalgia is the risk of serious adverse health effects. Considering the long-term nature of the condition, these medications may have to be used for extended periods, which only raises the risk of serious side effects. The low risk of side effects is one area where functional medicine frequently shines in the management of chronic conditions. 

Don’t get us wrong, though. We are not saying that all functional medicine treatment options, including chiropractic, have no risks of adverse events at all. What we are saying is that these risks are much rarer and much less serious. For instance, one study by Dr. Eric L. Hurwitz from RAND, Santa Monica, CA, USAshows that there will be just one adverse effect per 2 million chiropractic manipulations. 

Diagnosis

The diagnostic procedure for fibromyalgia is not nearly as simple or straightforward as health practitioners would like. The reason for the rather complex diagnosis of fibromyalgia is the non-specific nature of the condition’s symptoms, the association of fibromyalgia with other chronic conditions, and the absence of objective diagnostic parameters.

Functional health practitioners have to first establish that the person actually has fibromyalgia before actually commencing the treatment of the condition. Starting treatment with diagnosis is the standard procedure for managing all health conditions. 

Generally, health practitioners assess the symptoms of the condition and use their previous knowledge of patterns of the condition to make a diagnostic decision. There are also assessment tools that some practitioners use to introduce some level of standardization to the diagnosis, with scores above certain levels indicating the presence of the condition. The diagnosis of the condition is heavily based on the expertise and experience of the functional health practitioner. If you desire this experience and expertise, you can reach out to us today at (850) 785-9372 or through our email info@thebaydoctor.com.

Natural Treatment Options

The functional health practitioner drafts a treatment plan for the condition after diagnosis. The treatment plan is personalized and patient-specific, accounting for the individual differences between different people and the unique occurrence and presentation of their condition. Below are some of the treatment options that may be included in the functional medicine treatment plan. 

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a branch of functional medicine that leverages the relationship between the central nervous system and the rest of the body in the management of different health conditions. Chiropractors can treat different conditions, including musculoskeletal problems, by restoring balance in the central nervous system. 

The use of chiropractic in managing pain in soft tissues of musculoskeletal structures like the back, hip, neck, shoulder, and knee is well documented. This is also the case in managing pain in the joints, as is observed in the chiropractic management of arthritis. Chiropractic can help in relieving pain symptoms since fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in different muscle groups and joints. The choice of the right chiropractic technique from hundreds of techniques depends on different factors, including the anatomical region of the pain, affected structure, type of pain, and more

If you are in or around Panama City and you need a chiropractor to help manage your condition, you can also reach out to us today. We will consider your case uniquely and try to reach the best solution for the management of your condition. You can reach out to us at The Bay Clinic of Chiropractic at (850) 785-9372 or through our email info@thebaydoctor.com.

Physical Activity

Physical activity can help improve physical function, mood, energy, pain, and other symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, not all types of exercise give these results. Only mild- to moderate-intensity exercise will improve fibromyalgia symptoms. Highly intense exercise can actually worsen matters. Also, there are different exercise routines that target different muscles and areas, and your functional health practitioner can advise you on the right routines to improve your pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms. 

Diet and Supplements

Nutritional therapy is another important functional medicine strategy in the management of different conditions, including fibromyalgia. While there is no one supplement or food that can fully treat fibromyalgia, there are those that can reduce specific symptoms, like inflammation and depression. 

Typically, foods or supplements rich in omega fatty acids can reduce inflammation. Examples of these foods are fatty fish (salmon, herring, sardines, tuna) and nuts and seeds (chia seeds, walnuts, flaxseed). You can also get them from supplements, like fish oil. Also, foods rich in 5-hydroxytryptophan can improve mood and help with other mental symptoms. Examples of these foods are milk, spinach, quinoa, pineapple, tofu, and eggs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Fibromyalgia Be Cured?

No, there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, and the condition is a lifelong one. However, there are treatment options, including those of functional medicine, that can help in treating the symptoms of the condition, and ultimately managing it. Functional medicine practitioners also ensure that the other aspects of the patient’s body are also healed, ensuring complete management of the condition and a better quality of life.

Is Fibromyalgia Preventable?

No, fibromyalgia cannot be prevented, and it is still unclear what causes the condition despite different theories gaining popularity recently. Still, there are factors that can increase the risk of developing the condition, and knowledge of these risk factors can help reduce your chances of having fibromyalgia. 

How Long Does It Take to Treat Fibromyalgia with Chiropractic?

Treating fibromyalgia with chiropractic varies from individual to individual, but you can expect to start seeing positive changes after a few weeks. Several factors determine how fast it takes to reach desired treatment targets, including underlying health conditions, the symptoms the individual is exhibiting, and other environmental factors.

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain in the body. Fibromyalgia does not have a clear cause or diagnostic process, making its treatment tricky in conventional medicine. Also, the use of medications for managing fibromyalgia is limited because of safety issues. 

However, functional medicine strategies, like chiropractic, physical activity, and nutritional therapy, can help manage fibromyalgia symptoms. Still, many health organizations believe that a therapy that combines different treatment options may be the best bet to fully manage the condition. You can contact a functional health practitioner and your healthcare provider for more information. 

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