One day you're up and about, and the next day you find yourself lying in bed dealing with pain all over your body, unsure when it will end. Unfortunately, that's how people who have fibromyalgia live. Accompanying fibromyalgia's widespread pain are headaches, fatigue, IBS or irritable bowel syndrome, cognitive problems, and even bouts of anxiety and depression that can occur without warning.
Developing this condition may seem alarming to many, especially now that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4 million adult Americans suffer from this condition. But with a proper care regimen, such as upper cervical care in Alameda, you can manage the symptoms and live normally.
Fibromyalgia can happen to anyone, even children and adolescents, but most who get diagnosed are middle-aged adults. The onset of symptoms can occur after an illness, stressful events, or physical trauma. However, others can develop fibromyalgia symptoms gradually without linking it to a specific event or cause.
There is no known specific cure for this condition, and most often than not, when that is the case, there can also be a rise of myths and misconceptions about fibromyalgia. By correcting some of the most common myths about this condition, you can educate yourself more to know how to help yourself or even a loved one who has fibromyalgia.
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Myth #1 - Fibromyalgia is just an imaginary pain
Think about yourself lying in bed, unable to move, and your every attempt to move brings extreme pain and discomfort. Imagine someone invalidating your suffering and telling you you’re not in pain; it's just in your imagination. It hurts, right? Not only is fibromyalgia painful physically but also psychologically and emotionally.
This is likely the biggest misconception about this condition. Unfortunately, a big population is convinced that fibromyalgia is not a medical condition, and the widespread chronic pain is just all in mind. Thankfully for people diagnosed with this condition, there have been recent studies that have debunked this misconception.
If you have fibromyalgia, you feel pain more intensely than others. This condition involves a problem in the brain and spine or the central nervous system, which affects the pain signal process of a person, making it a physiological problem. Talk to a licensed chiropractor for upper cervical care in Alameda and know your other options.
Myth #2 - Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are the same illness.
Fibromyalgia often comes with fatigue, and while it shares similar symptoms with chronic fatigue syndrome, they are two different conditions. Widespread pain is a significant problem for people with fibromyalgia, while chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often highlights fatigue as the main complaint from CFS patients. In addition, people with CFS do not experience heightened pain like those with fibromyalgia.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Myth #3 - You should not exercise if you have fibromyalgia.
While every movement is usually painful for people with fibromyalgia, some can tolerate the pain. Hence, the claim that people with fibromyalgia should not exercise is false. On the contrary, people with fibromyalgia are highly encouraged to do gentle exercises. Excessive rest and avoiding movement do not help you in the long run.
Start with gentle movements to help loosen the painful muscles and joints. Remember to be patient and give yourself enough time to find the right amount of activity you can tolerate. Once you get the hang of it, you can slowly progress and increase your movements and even follow an exercise routine that you can do regularly.
The key is to be patient and consistent, and remember some days can be worse than others, but it's not going to be like that always. If you must, find a support group to do exercises so you can all cheer and root for each other's progress and be there for each other during difficult times.
Myth #4 - Fibromyalgia is a women's disease.
We mentioned early in the article that anyone can develop fibromyalgia, meaning men and children are not an exemption. While more women are more prone and are commonly diagnosed with this condition, men can suffer from it just the same. About 10% of diagnosed fibromyalgia patients are men.
Myth #5 - It’s not possible to manage fibromyalgia.
More studies are now available, giving us more information about this condition, including practical and targeted care options for managing fibromyalgia and its accompanying symptoms.
A wide variety of care regimens work differently for every individual, such as medications, relaxation methods, meditation, yoga, deep breathing techniques, and gentle exercises. Upper cervical care in Alameda also proves helpful in managing your pain.
Maintaining healthy sleeping habits and following a specific diet can also help reduce your pain and discomfort.
Enjoy Fibromyalgia Relief with Upper Cervical Care in Alameda
Another popular alternative care option for fibromyalgia is upper cervical chiropractic care. It is both natural and successful in managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. This care option targets usual problem spots in the central nervous system that may contribute to abnormal pain processing in fibromyalgia patients.
Adjusting the upper spine to correct any misalignment improves its position and relieves pressure from adjacent body tissues, providing fibromyalgia patients relief while avoiding recurrence of symptoms.
Visit Forest Upper Cervical Chiropractic Centers for Upper Cervical Care in Alameda
You can book a consultation with our licensed chiropractor Dr. Steven Forest. After an initial consultation and necessary tests to better understand your condition, Dr. Forest will gently and slowly adjust your misaligned bone. He uses precise techniques to relieve you from pain and make your central nervous system work properly again.
To get started with your regimen, call us at 510-522-1818, or contact us by filling out this form. Our chiropractic center in Alameda is open every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am and 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm. We will draw an effective care plan that fits you and your needs.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Forest, call our Alameda office at 510-522-1818. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
