Fibromyalgia is a disorder with chief complaints of muscle soreness, headache, fatigue, memory changes, and problems sleeping. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies the pain signals to the brain. Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men.

With Fibromyalgia, the feeling in the muscles will usually be described as dull and aching. The muscle soreness can come on at any time. Activity is not required for the problem to be noticed. Because other disorders can mimic this condition, the patient must exhibit tenderness in a minimum of 11 of 18 pre-defined points on the body for a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia to be made. These points are in the muscles of the neck, hips, buttock region, the upper forearm, and toward the inner knee.

Although there is no known cause for Fibromyalgia, there may be a connection between the spine and the symptoms produced by this condition. Chiropractors have noticed improvement may occur in patients with this disorder when Chiropractic adjustments are made to the spine where spinal misalignments are present.

A common research finding of this ailment is that poor posture, cervical spine dysfunction, and spinal joint arthritis may be contributory to the muscle pain associated with Fibromyalgia. Your doctor of Chiropractic can help determine if you have a postural imbalance. A treatment program can then be established which may include manipulation of the spine, trigger point massage therapy, acupressure, stretching, and exercise.

Your chiropractor may also recommend a good diet and vitamin, mineral, or herbal remedies to give your body more of what it needs to heal. Remember that Chiropractic places the emphasis on improving the health of the body to reduce, control, or eliminate this ailment. For many, Chiropractic is a welcome relief from the alternative use of drugs such as anti-inflammatories and tricyclic antidepressants, which are commonly prescribed for this disorder.