Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain

 

Chiropractic Care Provides Multiple Benefits

Chiropractic care, by its very nature, is a holistic method of healing. By using noninvasive methods which balance function within both the nerve system and the musculoskeletal system, chiropractic care gives your body the best chance to recover from many complicated problems. Chiropractic care is a key component of the multidisciplinary approach to management of multisystemic disorders such as fibromyalgia. By restoring more normal function to the person's nerve system, chiropractic care unleashes powerful and natural healing forces. The result is a body whose parts are now working together instead of against each other. As the body heals, pain and symptoms will likely naturally begin to reduce and resolve

The condition of fibromyalgia creates many challenges for a person with this disorder. These challenges often go far beyond the characteristic chronic pain which alone can be potentially debilitating. Those with fibromyalgia have pain in many locations and the presence of multiple pain sites is often confusing to their doctor or doctors. Family physicians, internists, endocrinologists, and even pain management specialists and rheumatologists often have great difficulty in comprehending the full extent of fibromyalgia and the serious health and well-being issues that are caused by the disorder.
Persons with fibromyalgia have so many symptoms that an uninformed physician may find it easier to refer such patients to a psychologist or psychiatrist. But the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia are real. The sufferers have widespread pain on a chronic basis. Additional symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, joint stiffness, and cognitive dysfunction (brain fog). Depression commonly affects those with fibromyalgia.
Owing to the presence of so many chronic symptoms, fibromyalgia is notoriously difficult to treat. Such patients are typically taking multiple medications, prescribed by multiple specialists attempting to combat the problems that fall within their particular branch of medicine - pain management, rheumatology, and psychology/psychiatry.
Despite taking several medications on a long-term basis, most fibromyalgia patients tend not to improve. Depression and chronic pain take a profound toll, and daily living becomes quite burdensome. Many fibromyalgia patients despair of ever finding even a partial solution.
Attempts to address the problems of fibromyalgia by just treating the symptoms often fail. As the physiologic causes of the disorder are unknown, holistic approaches have a much greater likelihood of success. Multidisciplinary treatment is needed to impact this systems-wide disorder, including chiropractic care, nutritional recommendations, psychological counseling, and a gradual return to increased levels of physical activity and exercise.^{(1, 2, 3)}

¹Schneiderr M, et al: Chiropractic management of fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review of the literature. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 32(1):25-40, 2009

²Hauser W, et al: Guidelines on the management of fibromyalgia syndrome. A systematic review. Eur J Pain 14(1):5-10, 2010

³Busch AJ, et al: Exercise for fibromyalgia: a systematic review. J Rheumatol 35(6):1130-1144, 2008

Hello and Welcome

Hello, my name is Dr. Stacey Willey. Welcome to our office.  Something that has shaped who I am today and why I became a Chiropractor is that I have had ADD my entire life.  Still have it, and will always have it. I don’t use it as an excuse, nor do I let it inhibit my dreams and goals. When I was diagnosed, I was given many different drugs by to “handle” my condition. It changed my behavior a little, but created a hazy feeling in my head and I was also labeled “learning disabled” and was then treated differently. After taking medications for 8 months I started reading about the medications and reactions to them…ugh! I realized one of the drugs I was taking was in the same classification as cocaine?!! I decided no matter how bad it got, I did not want to stay on any medications, there had to be something better out there for me.

I was introduced to Chiropractic. I was absolutely amazed how my nervous system was shorting out and really not helping me in my daily life. I also didn’t even realize how much pain I was living with and was just “dealing” with it.  I learned about the nervous system, food and lifestyle changes that could help with my ADD and to become focused. Things gradually became clearer and I could focus better after my adjustments.

There was a whole world out there for me to be great in and I decided Chiropractic was it! I just didn’t know if I could do it, you see, school was always a challenge and Chiropractic school seemed like a huge mountain to climb.  But, I decided that this is it, there were no other choices for me.  It was quite challenging and I had to be very disciplined, and for someone that has ADD, that can be very challenging on its own. Not everyone thought I would finish school, since learning the traditional way was never easy for me, but I was determined. I graduated! That was the hardest thing I think I have ever done. It pains me to believe that there are kids and adults out there that don’t think they can achieve greatness or their dreams because they are considered to have a learning disability or not smart enough, that would limit their possibilities in life, because it happened to me.

That is why I want to share Chiropractic with all the children and families out there. I have come to realize that people who feel good are happier, have better relationships, and are more efficient at work and life.  That is what I want.  When I say families, I mean kids too.  I want to give parents all the information and help that I can give so their children will reach their full potential. There is nothing more important to us than our children living happy, healthy and pain-free lives.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve your health needs.

God Bless,

Dr. Stacey Willey