Fibromyalgia is a form of generalized muscular pain and fatigue that affects approximately 3.7 million Americans.  The name, Fibromyalgia, means pain in the muscles and the fibrous connective tissues (the ligaments and tendons).  Fibromyalgia lacks laboratory abnormalities; instead, the diagnosis depends mostly on a person’s report or complaints and feelings.  Pain is the most prominent symptom of Fibromaylgia.  It generally occurs throughout the body although it may start in one region, such as the neck and shoulders, and spread to other areas over a period of time.

Most people with Fibromyalgia experience moderate or severe fatigue with a lack of energy, decreased exercise endurance, or the kind of exhaustion that results from the flu or lack of sleep.  Sometimes the fatigue is more of a problem that the pain.  Headaches, especially muscular (tension headaches) and migraine headaches, are common in Fibromyalgia.  Abdominal pain, bloating, alternating constipation, bladder spasms, and irritability may cause urinary urgency or frequency.  Your skin and blood circulation can be sensitive to temperature changes, resulting in temporary changes in skin color.

As a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, I take a different approach to the treatment and prevention of Fibromyalgia.  After a thorough neurological examination I determine which part of the nervous system is not functioning properly.  In many Fibromyalgia patients I may find a high mesencephalic output.

There are three parts to the brain stem: top, middle, and lower.  The mesencephalon is the top part of the brain stem.  A high output of the mesencephalon will cause an increased pulse and heart rate, inability to sleep or waking up from fitful sleep, urinary tract infection, increase warmth or sweating, and sensitivity to light.

Along with a high mesenphalic output, the Fibromyalgia patient may have a decreased output of the cerebellum.  The cerebellum is in the back part of the brain, and it controls all of the involuntary spinal musculature.

No matter what the condition, it is imperative that the chiropractic neurologist performs a thorough and comprehensive exam to determine the exact nature of the patient’s condition.

Like all chronic type patients whose symptoms last longer than 6 months, Fibromyalgia patients must be monitored closely before and after treatments (blood pressure, pulse, Sp02).  If the patient is not monitored, it is possible to over-stimulate or exceed metabolic capacity.  Since the upper part of the brain stem (mesencephalon) is firing at an abnormally high rate, I will want to utilize modalities that will lower the mesenphalic output.