When it comes to a chronic health condition like fibromyalgia, the symptoms themselves are difficult enough to deal with. For example, besides the pain, you may be dealing with sleepless nights, cognitive difficulties, numbness and tingling, and sensory sensitivities. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia also comes along with an increased risk of developing various associated conditions. We’re going to look at four of the more common ones, and then consider a natural way to find some relief.

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4 Devastating Associated Conditions Linked to Fibromyalgia

4 Devastating Associated Conditions Linked to Fibromyalgia

Living with fibromyalgia can be extremely hard, and most people almost give up and fall into depression. If you are one with fibromyalgia, life can be more than challenging. Living with chronic pain is a given. Fibromyalgia also causes the following symptoms:

More than 4 million Americans have fibromyalgia, making the condition a relatively common disorder. Women are seven times more likely to have it compared to men and children. Furthermore, no one knows for sure how fibromyalgia develops. There are some known potential risk factors which include:

To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.

5 Tips for Better Living with Fibromyalgia

Bear this in mind: Just because you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it does not mean that life is over for you. You are not doomed to a lifetime of pain and exhaustion. You can still do so many things, and these steps can help you feel better daily. Let’s begin!

  1. Stay Physically Active

Regular exercise is a critical part of living with fibromyalgia. However, we are not talking about overdoing your exercise routine as Olympians would. We’re only suggesting at least 30 minutes a day of gentle movement. You will be amazed that this can make a whole world of difference in your life. Spare 30 minutes of your time each day to do low impact exercises. Slowly, you can build your stamina and courage to go on for longer.

You can begin stretching in bed and taking a short walk to the mailbox and back inside your home. Here are other excellent gentle exercise options for people with fibromyalgia: 

  1. Walking
  2. Swimming
  3. Cycling or using a stationary bicycle
  4. Yoga
  5. Tai chi
  6. Strength training 
  7. Gardening 
  8. Learn To Manage Your Stress

Stress is one of the most impactful triggers for people with fibromyalgia. Nobody can avoid stress all the time and all together. However, we can do things that will help us learn how to cope with stress better than before. These tips can be a great help. Try them out and see:

  1. Have a relaxing bath– Taking a warm bath before going to bed can not only help relieve stress, but it's also a great way to wind down the day.  You can try using Epsom salts as it can also help soothe tight, cramped, and painful muscles.
  2. Try yoga – Not only is yoga an excellent way to take care of your body but also a great way to free your mind off stress and worries. Yoga is a beautiful and gentle option for people with fibromyalgia to navigate their thoughts away from stress and negativity.
  3. Learn to meditate – Meditation can be done in many various forms. You could select to sit down quietly and focus on your breathing. You can also do a walking meditation and add a mantra by repeating a positive phrase or set of words to yourself.
  4. Prepare For A Better Sleeping Routine

People with fibromyalgia struggle with getting sleep. As a result, getting restorative, good quality sleep can be one of the biggest challenges they face daily. Fortunately, there are effective ways of optimizing your sleep environment so you can improve your chances of acquiring a much-needed night of restful sleep. Check these out:

  1. Keep the room quiet – Do your best to keep the bedroom as quiet as possible. Even in the hour before you go to bed, please turn off the TV or music that may keep you up. When it’s time to go to bed, you will have no distractions. Also, turn off your smartphone to prevent it from making interruptions while you sleep. Use earplugs if you want to.
  2. Keep the room cool – When you are too hot during the night, it may lead to a night of unrest.  Therefore, keep the thermostat on the low side. Also, keep your bedroom clean and relaxed for a better night of rest.
  3. Keep your environment dark – Keep the light turned off from your LED alarm clock display, cell phone, and other electronics in your bedroom because they can disturb your sleep.  Use the curtains to block out outdoor lights. Keeping your windows covered can also be a huge help.
  4. Monitor What You’re Drinking and Eating

Your daily drink and food intake can significantly impact your overall sense of well-being and pain levels.

  1. Avoid caffeine – Caffeine is a stimulant. It can increase stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.
  2. Eat energy-rich foods – Eat more almonds, avocado, fresh wild-caught fish, and other sources of lean protein. Dark leafy greens are great examples of nutritious food that can boost your energy levels.
  3. Stay away from any possible food triggers – Some fibromyalgia patients find that their pain worsens after eating something with MSG, gluten, dairy, and other artificial or problematic food additives.
  4. Care For Your Spine And Nervous System

The central nervous system (CNS) is in command of coordinating the functions of your entire body.  For those with fibromyalgia, this means regulating your brain function, sleep cycle, and pain sensations. If your nervous system is not optimally functioning, it can produce your body's conditions for fibromyalgia to develop quickly. Upper cervical chiropractic care is an excellent way to care for fibromyalgia at its root cause, leading to natural and lasting results. Many people who experienced upper cervical chiropractic care enjoyed returning to a better quality of life, free from pain, exhaustion, and worries.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic for Fibromyalgia Patients

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on each patient's specific needs by crafting a scientifically measured plan of care to get them back on track with their health and overall wellness. Upper cervical chiropractors focus on restoring normal alignment of the top bones in the upper cervical spine. Unknown to many, a misaligned bone in the upper cervical spine can damage the brainstem. The delicate brainstem plays a significant role in the body's pain processing. If it tells the brain the body is in pain even when not, fibromyalgia can be an unpleasant result.

One of the essential benefits of upper cervical chiropractic care is how gentle the adjustments can be. It is especially crucial for people who are already highly sensitive to pain. Fibromyalgia patients can benefit from this type of care since pain is a critical factor to consider in fibromyalgia. 

We can make gentle and precise corrections. We focus on the spine area, which has the most impact on the central nervous system function. Thus, we allow your body the chance it needs to heal from fibromyalgia symptoms naturally, safely, without pain. Call us if you want more information about our practice.

To schedule a consultation with The Midwest Upper Cervical, call (314) 283-2248, or just click the button below.

If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.

We don’t chase symptoms, we go straight to the biggest cause of pain and loss of function, the nervous system.
222 S. 2nd Street St. Charles, MO 63301
(314) 283-2248
info@midwestuppercervical.com
Monday to Friday : 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: By appointment
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