Chiropractor for Fibromyalgia in Anchorage, AK
Better Health Alaska’s Chiropractors: Expertly Treating Fibromyalgia
Are you struggling with persistent pain throughout your body? Or an ever-present feeling of stiffness or tingling? It could be fibromyalgia. Since 1998, Better Health Alaska Chiropractors has been offering non-invasive, holistic care for a multitude of painful, disruptive diseases – including fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It can occur in people of any age, although it is more often found in women than men. A variety of symptoms accompanies it:
- Full-body pain ranging from mild to severe
- Tingling or numbness
- Highly-irregular sleeping patterns
- Physical and mental fatigue – a.k.a. “Fibro-fog”
But what if you could get back to a regular sleeping pattern and reduce some of that pain? That is what we offer.
At Better Health Alaska, you can find a chiropractor who takes insurance near you. Together you can combat the disease.
Better Health Alaska: What to Expect
Although dealing with fibromyalgia can be a challenge, one of the most effective avenues of care is chiropractic.
Your First Visit
Upon entering our office for the first time, you will be greeted warmly, and directed to one of our chiropractors. He/she will discuss your symptoms, go over your medical history, and do an initial exam. Next, he/she will formulate a diagnosis and then develop a treatment plan.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia is somewhat difficult, as there currently is not a universal test for the disease. The most important flag is the presence of widespread pain throughout the body for three months or longer. A few other tests and symptoms can also be used to pinpoint it exactly and rule out other conditions.
From there, medical treatment may consist in just pain medications and antidepressants for some. Chiropractic care, however, offers a holistic, drug-free approach. Here at Better Health Alaska, a regimen involving multiple chiropractic sessions will be set up and scheduled.
Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Treatment for Fibromyalgia
The specifics of your treatment plan will be tailored to your individual needs. Often, our chiropractors will combine other types of noninvasive care with chiropractic – things like:
- Physical Therapy
- Professional Massage Therapy
- A Regimen of Special Exercises
- Nutrition Advice
- Sleep Aids
- And more….
We’ve found that combining modalities often works better than relying on a single type of treatment alone.
All that said, both the science, our experience, and our many testimonials, endorse the use of chiropractic therapy for treating fibromyalgia.
If you suffer from fibromyalgia, reach out to Better Health Alaska Chiropractors at 907-346-5255. We’ll help rid you of your pain.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia symptoms in women (or anyone really) can vary from mild to severe full-body pain, stiffness, tingling or numbness, tenderness in affected areas, and much more. This typically leads to highly-irregular sleeping patterns which compound the physical and mental fatigue known as “Fibro-Fog.” Our list of Fibromyalgia symptoms could go on for some time, including conditions like depression, anxiety, nausea, and so forth because of the many ways debilitating chronic pain can impact life.
PTSD
Female Family History
Repetitive Injuries
Rheumatoid Arthritis & Other Autoimmune Diseases
Central Nervous System Problems
The Manner in Which Genes Regulate the Way We Process Pain Stimuli
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
There isn’t a universal fibromyalgia test and guidelines for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia are still evolving, but currently, if you experience widespread pain for longer than three months, including pain that seems to have no physical cause, you may have the condition. Blood tests can be useful only inasmuch as they can rule out other causes. Typically your doctor will diagnose the issue through medical history, an analysis of your symptoms, and a physical examination.
What Are the Different Treatment Options for Fibromyalgia?
Because fibromyalgia is a syndrome, it’s subjective, and everyone experiences it differently. Pain medication and antidepressants are common, but treatment programs must be personalized and tailored for the individual. Your chiropractor may combine elements of noninvasive chiropractic care, physical therapy, and professional massage for fibromyalgia. Your program may also include a special exercise regimen, help with nutrition, sleep aids, stress reduction techniques, and more.
Which Body Parts Does Fibromyalgia Affect?
As previously mentioned, fibromyalgia is known for widespread pain or full-body pain. Typically it’s reported in the elbows, arms, shoulders, knees, hips, the spinal column, head, etc. Again, it varies substantially from person to person.
What Are Fibromyalgia Trigger Points?
The first step to fibromyalgia pain relief is getting your condition properly diagnosed, which for doctors can be rather challenging. Fibromyalgia pain points, or tender points, are 18 points throughout the body doctors use to pinpoint where you’re experiencing the pain or the origin points. To be considered, the American College of Rheumatology suggests you experience pain in at least 11 of the 18.
Does Fibromyalgia Cause Weight Gain?
Yes, but not directly. It’s very common for people dealing with the condition to experience depression, anxiety, fatigue, and a drop in quality of life. This often translates into weight gain from lack of exercise and increased stress and inflammation levels. While there’s not necessarily a fibromyalgia diet, it can be helpful to monitor BMI, maintain a healthy body weight, and eat well to help your body heal and repair itself.