Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) affects an estimated 6 to 8 million people. A chronic disorder affecting mostly women, the condition is characterized by wide-spread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, poor sleeping patterns and multiple tender points that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips.
How does fibromyalgia develop?
Most doctors don’t believe that there is a single cause of fibromyalgia. Rather, traditional medicine points to a number of different factors. Some attribute the condition to a reduced amount of serotonin and substance P in the brain, which also has been linked to depression, migraines, pain and gastrointestinal disorders.
Some researchers theorize that disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause rather than just a symptom of fibromyalgia. An injury to the upper spinal region has been shown to trigger the development of fibromyalgia in some people. And still other researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection may trigger fibromyalgia.
Although these are all possible contributors to the condition, we find that many of the people suffering from fibromyalgia experience this pain as a result of ligament weakness from degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis, injury or repetitive use damage. In compensating for the ligament weakness, other areas of the body, including tendons and muscles, can be afflicted with referred pain. In this case, the fatigue, poor sleeping patterns and tender points associated with this condition are results of the ligament damage rather than causes of the condition.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms varies from person to person. For some women, pain or other symptoms can be so intense that they interfere with daily activities. For others, symptoms may cause discomfort but are not incapacitating.
People with fibromyalgia may experience morning stiffness, fatigue, increased headaches or facial pain, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety, heightened sensitivity and cognitive symptoms (trouble with concentration, short-term memory and handling multiple tasks). About 50 percent of people with fibromyalgia report being sensitive to odors, noises, bright lights, various foods and changes in weather.
Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia, but they do not address the root of the problem. By addressing a person’s nutritional and hormonal issues, as well as strengthening structural weaknesses in the body as natural medicine therapies like medical-oil massage, sweating and trigger point injections do, fibromyalgia can be alleviated permanently.
Discover why we believe that Natural Medicine treatments are the best way to treat fibromyalgia and may end the pain forever.
The treatment regimens suggested here are based on the experience North Tacoma Family Health & Apothecary. They do not apply to every case or condition. A person using these recommendations without the aid of a personal physician does so at their own risk. This information is provided for informational purposes only. It is essential to have your condition evaluated by your own personal physician. For an appointment please call (253)503-8792. or email us at contact@northtacomafamilyhealth.org
