Do You Suffer From Fibromyalgia IN Fayetteville AR?

Determined to help not only herself, but others who suffer from Fibromyalgia, Dr. Jean Gibson has developed a combination of therapies to treat fibromyalgia in Fayetteville AR. She was told by her doctor that she had Fibrostitis, one of the early names given to Fibromyalgia, in 1990, the same year she entered Chiropractic school. She asked the questions that everyone ask – “What is it? What causes it? What is the treatment?”

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, which means pain in the tendons, ligaments, and muscles, is a grouping of symptoms, not a disease. Although cases have been documented for at least the past 100 years, it was only in 1990 that specific criteria for the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia were developed. In 1992, the World Health Organization added Fibromyalgia to its classification of diseases.

Patients are generally Caucasian, middle-class women between the ages of 20-55, although men and women of other races, ages, and economic levels are not immune to Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Fayetteville AR

Patients seldom have the exact same symptoms, which include:

• Aches and pains in muscles, tendons, and ligaments, with more pain in the morning, often with increased muscle stiffness
• Chronic fatigue
• Restless sleep
• Headaches
• Menstrual disturbance
• Dry mucous membranes
• Cold hands and feet
• Poor memory and concentration
• Cardiovascular problems, such as dizziness and palpitations
• Excessive urination
• Anxiety and depression

Causes

No one knows for sure what causes Fibromyalgia. There is some research that point to low thyroid function as a cause. Some patients have been in an auto accident, or suffered some other trauma before their symptoms began. Other patients report an illness – viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection – preceding their symptoms.

What Can Help?

Fibromyalgia is not life threatening, but it certainly can keep you from leading a normal life. Many patients seek out specialists, and receive physical therapy, along with prescription pain medication, antidepressants, and steroids. However, the drugs that are usually prescribed can make the condition worse by suppressing the immune system.

Dr. Gibson’s treatment is different. She treats the condition natural non invasive methods to relieve Fibromyalgia symptoms. She develops an individual plan for each patient, choosing from chiropractic adjustments, trigger point/ myofascial therapy, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, dry infrared sauna therapy, nutritional therapy, and stress reduction therapy. She also advises her patients regarding exercise, massage, diet, and nutritional supplements. Many of our patients see results in a matter of weeks and others have turned their symptoms around entirely.