Researchers aren’t yet sure what causes fibromyalgia. Until recently, many doctors and laypeople dismissed fibromyalgia as a form of hypochondria because symptoms are so diffuse and the majority of sufferers are women.

Some risk factors for fibromyalgia include:

Medical researchers can’t say for sure what causes migraines, but genetics may influence these headaches.

Chiropractors believe that migraines, like other headaches, are at least partially caused by subluxations (misalignments in your spinal cord). When the vertebrae and discs in your spine are misaligned, they can irritate the spinal nerves, which causes pain that can radiate to your head.

Subluxations can also alter your brain chemistry and throw your hormones out of balance. Hormonal fluctuations also correlate with increased risk of migraines.

Though fibromyalgia itself is not life-threatening, the distraction of constant pain and fatigue may interfere with your ability to enjoy your life and perform daily tasks. If you have fibromyalgia, you’re also more likely to have other conditions, such as:

Medical treatments for fibromyalgia

Medical treatment for fibromyalgia may include DyAnsys® percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) to relax your nervous system and relieve sensations of pain.

The DyAnsys device stimulates points in your ear, much like acupuncture does. The stimulation encourages your nerves to stop sending pain signals, so you get relief without side effects.

Your doctor may also massage your fascia and other tissues to increase oxygenation and the circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Leading Edge medical professionals advocate lifestyle changes — including exercises such as yoga or tai chi and a non-inflammatory diet — to control fibromyalgia pain. You can also have rehab therapy and at-home exercises to strengthen your body.

While you’re healing, your doctor may prescribe short-term medications to control your pain. Some drugs that the FDA has cleared for fibromyalgia include the antidepressants duloxetine and milnacipran as well as the anti-seizure medication pregabalin.

Chiropractic treatments for fibromyalgia

Chiropractic treatment for fibromyalgia focuses on increasing your body’s overall functionality and health so that it can attain its usual state of self-healing. Chiropractors believe that all of the body’s organs and systems are interrelated. Your doctor, therefore, corrects any spinal misalignments you have with chiropractic manipulation.

An innovative, tool-assisted tissue manipulation called Graston Technique® can also alleviate fibromyalgia pain. Your chiropractor uses the specialized tools to massage and scrape your tissues, breaking down and smoothing out knotted and painful areas. Graston accelerates tissue healing and promotes optimal functioning.

When you’re ready to make a permanent change and improve your fibromyalgia, contact the professionals at Leading Edge Medical by phone or online form.