Fibromyalgia is pain in the body’s soft, fibrous tissues, including the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Symptoms of fibromyalgia often include extreme fatigue, widespread pain, and troubled sleep. Patients often describe the pain as being intense in areas of the neck, back, and legs.
A chiropractor makes adjustments to the alignment of the neck and spine, reducing the pain of fibromyalgia throughout the body. Regular spinal manipulation can benefit sufferers of fibromyalgia by reducing pain, improving sleep quality, and minimizing fatigue. A 2009 study found that chiropractic adjustments resulted in instant relief of pain for fibromyalgia sufferers.
Aside from spinal manipulation, ischemic compression therapy is often used as a method to treat fibromyalgia successfully. Ischemic compression therapy uses a sustained pressure that is applied to a tender area of the muscles. The tender spot is referred to as a “trigger point” and the ischemic compression deactivates the trigger. The compression acts to stop the blood flow to the painful area and ensures that when the pressure is released, the renewed blood flow will cleanse any toxins, bring a supply of fresh oxygen to the tissues, and allow for healing.
If you are experiencing the pain that comes with fibromyalgia, contact the chiropractors at Health Star Chiropractic. The Health Star team provides fibromyalgia treatment to the Montgomery, Millbrook, and Prattville communitues.
Panton LB, Figueroa A, Kingsley JD, et al. Effects of resistance training and chiropractic treatment in women with fibromyalgia. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2009;15(3):321-238