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.
