The March 15, 2012 issue of the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research documents a case of a patient being helped with fibromyalgia through chiropractic care. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine website, “Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long-term, body-wide pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety.”
The authors of the study begin by reporting that fibromyalgia is the most common cause of widespread pain, and is more common in women, who are 10 to 20 times more likely to have fibromyalgia than men. The authors also report that it is estimated that there are between 3 to 6 million people believed to be currently suffering with the disease.
In this case, a 64-year-old woman went to the chiropractor suffering from fibromyalgia which had been medically diagnosed six years earlier. In addition to the fibromyalgia, the woman was also suffering with a large variety of health problems that included sleep apnea, loss of coordination, glaucoma, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, depression, photophobia (sensitivity to light), indigestion, changes in her bowel habits, frequent urination, sinusitis, allergies, shoulder pain, mid back pain, low back pain, high cholesterol, hypertension, and neck pain.
The woman in this case study was on a number of medications, and her health issues were severely affecting her daily activities. It was noted in the history that as a teenager, she did injure herself by falling off a horse. There were no other reported traumas or accidents.
A chiropractic examination was performed which included palpation, posture analysis, thermal readings, and x-rays. The results of the exam were that subluxations were present causing nervous system interference. A course of specific chiropractic adjustments was initiated to correct the subluxations found.
After several weeks of care, the study reports that the woman stated that her neck and shoulder pain had improved, her middle back pain had also improved, as well as her eyesight. After 3 months of care, she reported that she was 80% better. Follow up x-rays showed a considerable improvement in the curve in her neck, which was completely straight on the initial x-ray. The study authors also documented that the woman reported having a much better mental outlook, much more energy, her general strength had improved, and she was able to stand and walk for longer periods of time with no pain.
