More than four million Americans are affected by fibromyalgia, a medical condition that causes widespread pain and a variety of other symptoms. Unfortunately, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. However, certain treatments can help relieve the pain and alleviate other symptoms caused by this condition.
Read on to discover some of the best treatments for fibromyalgia, and how your chiropractor can help you manage the pain and other symptoms.
The Most Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The most common symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain. It can significantly affect your life and cause other symptoms like irritability, insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. In addition to chronic pain, people with fibromyalgia may experience:
- Migraines
- Chronic headaches
- Brain fog
- Memory problems
- Skin sensitivity
- Tender points
- Swelling
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Frequent peeing
- Numbness
- Stiffness
As you can see, there are many fibromyalgia symptoms, and people with this condition can experience any combination of them. Since the symptoms overlap with many other disorders, it is somewhat difficult to diagnose this condition.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Scientists are still not sure what causes fibromyalgia. The condition usually appears during middle age, after it’s triggered by a traumatic event like:
- Car accident
- Surgery
- Severe injuries
- Loss of a loved one
- Viral infection
- Emotional or physical abuse
Although we are not sure what causes it, scientists suspect that this condition is linked to how our brains perceive pain. They think our central nervous system misreads regular nerve signals, amplifying pain impulses. So, your brain is confused, and as a result, you have a distorted perception of pain.
Best Treatments for Fibromyalgia
The treatment for fibromyalgia focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms to make your everyday life more manageable. It usually includes different approaches like:
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Pain Medication
Pain relievers are often a part of fibromyalgia management. Your doctor may suggest taking ibuprofen, aspirin, or another drug to relieve your pain. Taking these medications can reduce inflammation, minimize pain, and improve sleep. All of these can drastically boost your quality of life.
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Antidepressants and Anti-Seizure Drugs
In addition to painkillers, your doctor may prescribe other medications to help relieve pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. There are several FDA-approved medications for fibromyalgia treatment that can improve the quality of life for people suffering from this condition.
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Regenerative Treatments
Practitioners offer many holistic and regenerative treatments that can help people with fibromyalgia. That includes biofeedback, massage therapy, acupuncture, myofascial release, and more.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may suggest different approaches to manage the pain and help you get on with your life.
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Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is mainly used to restore the range of motion and improve muscle strength. However, it can also help reduce fibromyalgia pain and other symptoms. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy in addition to other treatment options based on your symptoms.
Where to Find the Right Help for Myalgia?
Dr. Edward Nash runs a Progressive Pain and Rehabilitation Center located in Woodlands, Texas. The center offers innovative treatments that aim to reduce all types of pain, including the one caused by fibromyalgia. So, feel free to click here to schedule an appointment.
346-220-8063