Fibromyalgia Treatment in Mississauga

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder affecting soft tissues and muscles that is characterized by fatigue, localized tenderness, and widespread musculoskeletal pain. Research into Fibromyalgia suggests it may be the result of the body's inability to process pain correctly, amplifying pain by inhibiting the brain's processing of these signals. Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong, and because the underlying factors of fibromyalgia are unknown, it can be difficult to diagnose as the symptoms may also mimic other conditions.

Fibromyalgia is much more likely to develop in women than men. What causes fibromyalgia may vary; surgery, trauma (physical and psychological), stress, or infection can all be fibromyalgia triggers. Other times, fibromyalgia symptoms gradually escalate over time with no triggering event.

Fibromyalgia symptoms may include:

• Non-localized pain: Widespread pain that is often described as a dull ache lasting for 3 months or more. The pain usually occurs on both sides of the body, above and below the waist.
• Chronic muscle spasms or tightness: Associated with the pain, your body's
  reaction to this chronic condition is tightness of the muscles and joints or muscle
  spasms.
• Mental Fog: Cognitive difficulties associated with fibromyalgia is sometimes called 'fibro fog', and can affect your ability to pay attention, concentrate or focus.
• Fatigue: If you suffer from fibromyalgia, you may sleep longer periods of time, but still wake up feeling tired. Your sleep may be disrupted by pain, and could have accompanying issues like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.
• Decreased Energy: Because they may not feel rested even after sleep, sufferers of fibromyalgia report having decreased energy levels which affect their mood, willingness to exercise, or take part in day-to-day activities.
• Headaches: Many patients with fibromyalgia also suffer from tension or migraine headaches.
• Depression and Anxiety: Prolonged chronic pain can lead to depression due to the condition, or heightened anxiety over the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.
• Lower Abdominal Pain: Ranging from diarrhoea and bloating, to constipation and nausea.
• Tenderness of the Face and Jaw: Symptoms of this calibre fall under TMJ, where the jaw may be tender while chewing or feel locked and hard to move.
• Increased Sensitivity: Sensitivity to light, certain foods, medications, noises, odours, or temperature can stem from an overwhelmed nervous system.
• Phantom Swelling: Fibromyalgia sufferers may also feel swelling of the hands and feet without the presence of any physical swelling.
• Numbness or Tingling: Some report tingling in their arms and legs, face, hands or feet.

Chronic pain, like that experienced by fibromyalgia patients, may be effectively managed with chiropractic care in conjunction with your practitioner's recommendations. Fibromyalgia pain management through chiropractic care includes the release of pressure points, neck or back pain management, headache relief, as well as musculoskeletal and shoulder pain relief. Through professional chiropractic adjustments of your skeletal structure, chiropractic care focuses on relieving the tension and pain caused by fibromyalgia.

Some patients find that combining other fibromyalgia treatment options with chiropractic care can be effective. These may include massage therapy for fibromyalgia (such as shiatsu massage), and acupuncture for fibromyalgia.

Whatever the treatment plan, Dr. Serge Lanoue and his team will get to the root cause of your pain, and help you with effective fibromyalgia management.

For more information about our fibromyalgia treatment in Mississauga, or to schedule an appointment, contact our chiropractic clinic today.