Fibromyalgia (FM) is one of the most complex neurological conditions affecting Americans. Studies explain that it causes varying pain levels and discomfort to the affected individuals, making it challenging to stay active and fully enjoy life. Although there's no known cure for fibromyalgia, patients can manage their symptoms with the help of simple lifestyle changes and holistic sources of fibromyalgia relief in Bend. 

This post will focus on the subtle and easily overlooked hints of fibromyalgia to help you understand yourself better and know how best to address your problem. Here are some signs that you may have fibromyalgia:

Chronic Pain

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes severe and chronic pain. In fact, the most common symptom of fibromyalgia is pain. The pain can be felt in many different parts of the body and can range from mild to intense and vary in severity. Many people with fibromyalgia experience a type of "all over" ache or fatigue, also known as "generalized" or "axial" pain. You may also feel the following types of specific pain: 

• Aching – This chronic muscle or joint pain is characterized by dullness, tiredness, burning sensation, and stiffness that lasts more than 24 hours. 
• Burning – This sensation is similar to having a sunburn. However, unlike sunburn, the pain lingers for several days or weeks.
• Stabbing – Sharp pains can come on suddenly and last less than 15 minutes. It may also be described as having an electrical shock throughout your body.
• Shooting – This pain can come on without warning and last longer than 15 minutes.

Fatigue

Fatigue and fibromyalgia go hand-in-hand. This symptom can cause you to take frequent naps, get tired after performing simple tasks, or have trouble sleeping at night. The fatigue can also make you feel like the world is moving in slow motion, affecting your ability to function normally. Sometimes, your fatigue can get so intense that it hinders you from doing anything and forces you to lie on the couch all day long. It can also lead to additional problems like: 

• Failing to complete house chores
• Skipping social events 
• Feeling irritated, depressed, or anxious
• Finding it hard to drive around, especially for long trips

Headaches and Migraines

If you have fibromyalgia, you may experience headaches and migraines. Headaches are similar to tension headaches, which are characterized by a band-like or tight feeling around the head. Migraines often include sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms that can last for several days. 

There are many probable causes of headaches and migraines; however, fibromyalgia is a common cause for both types of pain. These types of headaches can be debilitating to those who suffer from them on a regular basis. The emotional toll of these painful episodes often exacerbates existing mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. If you are feeling more frequent or out-of-the-blue headaches, get in touch with a doctor immediately to get a better diagnosis or know what fibromyalgia relief in Bend option would be most fitting to address your symptom.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common cause of chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. It's a functional colon disorder that affects an estimated 10-15% of people worldwide. The symptoms can include cramping, bloating and diarrhea, or constipation. Pain may also be there in the lower back and legs.

To diagnose IBS, your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms and perform an exam to examine your abdomen (the area between the chest and pelvis). Your doctor might also order tests such as blood work or stool testing if he suspects other causes for your pain besides IBS.

Best Approach to Achieve Lasting Fibromyalgia Relief in Bend

If you are suffering from chronic, incapacitating pain from this condition already, you should try the most recommended approach for fibromyalgia relief in Bend – upper cervical chiropractic!

Upper cervical care may help by addressing the source of pain and inflammation. It can also help restore the nervous system's innate self-regulating function to help you overcome fibromyalgia symptoms. The best way to get started with chiropractic care is by scheduling an appointment with your doctor so they can examine you and determine what type of care plan would be best suited for you. This can include any number of different types of adjustments and lifestyle changes. 

An upper cervical doctor like Dr. Hallmeyer needs to look into various factors to comprehensively assess your posture problem and its connection with your pain and discomfort. Some of these factors include: 

• The severity of your condition at the time of the assessment
• Presence of neck bone misalignments
• Degree of neck bone misalignments
• The impact of your posture problem on your muscles, joints, and nerves
• Medical history (especially previously sustained neck and head trauma)
• Your activities, work background, and other factors that may be compromising your spine

For quality chiropractic care, visit Dr. Kevin Hallmeyer of True Spine Bend. He can help you overcome your fibromyalgia problems as he's a trusted chiropractor in the area who has helped many patients with fibromyalgia, and he would love to help you as well! 

So what are you waiting for? Schedule your appointment today! Contact our clinic at 541 240 9920 or through our web form. We are open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 am to 5pm and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 am to 3 pm.

To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Hallmeyer, call our Bend office at 541-848-6834. You can also 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.