The fibromyalgia diagnosis is based on widespread bodily AND spinal pain. Most patients think that fibromyalgia is more a problem related to how intensely the brain  perceives pain. While this is important, you have to also consider why the fibromyalgia patient is susceptible to such little pressure at various points. What makes their nerves so responsive? In many cases it is nerve irritation at the spinal level. When the spine is injured, the joint is sprained and there is damage to the ligaments and disks. Over time, the muscles become more involved and tight.

For some patients, these problems are so substantial that sensitivity to pressure follows the course of some nerves into the arms and legs. The result is pain all over, and more and more restriction of movement. But lack of movement doesn’t help the problem. It generally makes the pain worse.

It is important to become more active if you have fibromyalgia pain. Not doing daily work activities and exercise for fear of pain is a syndrome called pain-avoidance behavior. It’s important to break the cycle with walking—starting with short walks and gradually increasing the distance over time.

Research has shown that progressive exercise (even resistance training with weights) can help ease the pain of fibromyalgia and improve quality of life. With chiropractic care, you can make the spine more flexible and able to withstand the stresses of exercise. Multiple scientific studies have shown that chiropractic adjustments improve spinal pain symptoms. Combined with a sound nutritional program that provides the fuel your body requires, this multimodal approach addresses many needs of the fibromyalgia patient. Dealing with a complex problem like fibromyaglia with drugs is no solution, as they often come with unintended side effects, especially when consumed over long periods of time.

Every fibromyalgia patient needs a detailed spinal examination by a doctor of chiropractic to identify areas where dysfunction may be causing/exacerbating their symptoms. When the movement of the joint is restored, this can help the patient resume more of their daily activities and increase their body’s ability to resist life’s stresses. Exercising is easier when there is less pain, and progressive exercise is key to the recovery from fibromyalgia.