Wednesday, May 26, 2004

About fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a painful muscle disorder that affects millions of people, but is generally misunderstood. It is a multiple-symptom syndrome primarily involving widespread muscle pain (myalgia), which can be debilitating in its severity. The pain seems to be caused by the tightening and thickening of the myofascia, the thin film or tissue that holds the muscles together. Fibromyalgia, also called fibrositis, shares many of the same symptoms as chronic fatigue syndrome, including headaches, debilitating fatigue, muscle and joint pain, sleep disorders, and digestive problems.”

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia includes a history of at least three months of widespread pain, and pain and tenderness in at least 11 of 18 tender-point sites. These sites include fibrous tissue or muscles of the following: neck, shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back, thighs, knees, arms and buttocks.

Since this syndrome usually occurs after a physical or emotional trauma, it is understandable that small misalignments of the spine, called subluxations causing joint dysfunction, may be contributing to or causing the symptoms of this devastating problem. These misalignments are structural imbalances and cause nerve irritation. Many of our patients initiate care because of pain and symptoms in the areas listed above. The improvements have been substantial.

Below are diagrams describing the areas of sensation (referred pain) controlled by nerves from the spine at specific spinal levels (zygapophyseal). Nerve irritation can result in numbness, tingling, or burning sensation along the dermatome (area related to spinal cord segment). Pain is also exhibited, if the related intervertebral disc is involved. As you can see, the sensation of the lateral knee (a tender point indicating Fibromyalgia) is controlled by a nerve from the lowest lumbar (L5-S1), sensation of the shoulder from the lower cervical (C5-6), etc.

In my clinical experience, patients, who have previously been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, have the common feature of straightened or reversed cervical curve. This is widespread with our patients having cervical (neck) joint dysfunction and subluxation. This stressful condition normalizes through our very gentle, specific chiropractic care. Rebalancing and stabilizing the structure (spine) to reduce nerve interference and restore normal curves is necessary for these patients to recover. Since stress reduction is important for patients with the fibromyalgia diagnosis, this rebalancing is crucial.

— Dr. Marilyn Durden

(For more information, contact the Durden Chiropractic Clinic, 1130 Senoia Rd., Suite B-4, Tyrone, 770-631-7600.)