Don't miss our enlightening new infographic about fibromyalgia in kids and teens. This condition often goes unnoticed or misunderstood, yet it impacts the lives of countless young people every day. Our infographic presents compelling information on juvenile fibromyalgia and highlights essential tips parents can explore to help their children cope better. Make sure to read up to the last portion to discover a holistic path to healing: consulting a trusted Upper Cervical Chiropractor in Norton Shores.
Learn more about the power of Upper Cervical Care and how it helps patients with chronic health concerns like fibromyalgia. Call us at 231-227-4495 or click the button below to book an appointment.
Do you frequently feel like your body is working against you - like you can't trust it to function the way it's supposed to? Have you exhausted every possible way to cope with your fibromyalgia symptoms but feel defeated due to the lack of progress or improvements you see at the end of the day?
Many share your pain. Like you, thousands of people who have fibromyalgia feel like their body keeps betraying them. They can't hang out with their family without anticipating the next flare-up. They wake up tired despite spending 8 hours sleeping.
Let's help you work around your situation with our list of tips and our in-depth discussion on the key benefits of seeking Norton Shores Fibromyalgia Chiropractic Care.
Pay more attention to how you feel and what triggers your symptoms. Do you have worse flare-ups when the temperature drops? Are your symptoms worse when you eat a high-carb diet? This can help you manage your condition more effectively and avoid activities that may exacerbate your symptoms.
Stress is one of the worst fibromyalgia triggers. That's because it releases cortisol and adrenaline – two hormones associated with increased nerve sensitivity. So, we strongly suggest learning to manage your stress levels with the help of relaxation techniques, regular exercise, and counseling.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Exercising or working out may seem like the last thing you want to do when you're in incredible pain, but it can actually be one of your best options to care for your body and cope with fibromyalgia. Engaging in low-impact exercises every day can help reduce pain and stiffness, improve sleep, and boost mood.
Getting enough sleep is crucial for managing fibromyalgia symptoms. So, you might find it helpful to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day, avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed, and create a comfortable sleep environment.
Eating a healthy and hearty diet can help you lessen your body's inflammatory response. As you might know, body inflammation is a significant contributor to fibromyalgia flare-ups. Focus on consuming the recommended amount of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. Additionally, you might find it helpful to skip processed foods, sugary beverages, and food items rich in saturated and trans-fats.
Living with fibromyalgia can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. It's essential to seek support from friends, family, and healthcare professionals who understand what you're going through. Joining a support group or working hand-in-hand with a licensed therapist can also be helpful.
Managing fibromyalgia can be a long and challenging journey. You must be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. Bear in mind that it's okay to ask for a helping hand when needed and that there is no shame in having a chronic condition.
If you're struggling with fibromyalgia, take advantage of our helpful tips. Additionally, we suggest consulting with an Upper Cervical Chiropractor. Doing so will help you check if you have atlas and axis bone misalignments. As we often explain to our patients, neck bone misalignments can stem from many things. These include:
These traumatic incidents might have happened in the past. While your physical wounds might have already healed, the changes to your cervical spine due to the blunt force from the event may be affecting your nervous system. The sooner you can fix the postural misalignment in your neck, the quicker you can remove undue pressure and resolve nerve signal interruption and impaired fluid flow to and from the head.
Remember, you are not alone. Countless individuals worldwide share your plight and constantly fight for a happy life due to constant fibromyalgia flare-ups. Don't be afraid to seek help from Zehr Chiropractic and take the necessary steps to live your best life with fibromyalgia.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation, call 231-227-4495 or just 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.
Staying active has a lot of benefits to your overall health, but you may have second thoughts about exercising if you have fibromyalgia. Find out what our chiropractors say about integrating physical activities while coping with this chronic pain condition. Also, continue reading on to determine why it pays to seek an upper cervical chiropractor in Norton Shores.
Today, let us help you experience lasting fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores, MI. Please feel free to consult with our chiropractic doctors here at Zehr Chiropractic. You may call us at 231-227-4495 or click the button below to book an appointment.
Getting a fibromyalgia diagnosis is a life-changing event. It usually takes years to get an accurate diagnosis, so getting one can help you manage your condition better. However, finding fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores, MI, that will work for you may be challenging.
People with fibromyalgia need quality sleep to help ease their pain and fatigue. Yet, it's not uncommon for people with fibromyalgia to have trouble sleeping or interrupted sleep. If you're one of those people, you know just how hard it can be to get a good night's sleep when dealing with constant pain and fatigue. Also, achieving quality sleep can be easier said than done.
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to reduced quality of sleep in people with fibromyalgia. Pain, for instance, can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. In addition, sometimes medications used by fibromyalgia patients can cause insomnia as a side effect. Some people with fibromyalgia also suffer from anxiety or depression, leading to difficulty sleeping.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your sleep quality to support your efforts to achieve fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores MI. Keep reading for some helpful tips.
If you're still sleeping on an old, lumpy mattress, it's time for an upgrade. A good mattress will support your body's needs to reduce pain and promote better sleep. Since sleep is subjective, a suitable mattress must depend on your preference. When shopping for a new mattress, look for one designed to match your needs. Below are some factors to consider:
Some fibromyalgia patients can experience trouble regulating body temperature and always feel warm. Having a cooler bed surface can ease sleeping disturbances, especially if feeling warm is one of the reasons you wake up in the middle of the night or cannot sleep at all.
If the temperature is one of the reasons you lack sleep, investing in a mattress or mattress topper made of latex, cotton, or wool can help you stay cool. You may also encounter gel-infused memory foam mattresses when you do your shopping. This can help regulate your body temperature by dissipating heat, so you don't wake up hot and sweaty. In addition, mattresses that contain springs are usually cooler than a dense, all-foam mattress as there is more airflow throughout the bed.
Fibromyalgia patients need to consider their sleeping position when mattress shopping. But one thing they must highly consider when buying a mattress is where they usually experience pain or tenderness. An all-foam mattress or topper can support side sleepers and can support your shoulders down to your hips to help relieve pressure. Patients who usually complain about back pain may need a hybrid medium-firm mattress that contains both foam and spring.
Paying attention to the materials that make up your bed can help you avoid unwanted allergic reactions. Fibromyalgia patients sometimes have allergies, too, so ensuring that your new mattress is made mostly of hypoallergenic materials may be beneficial.
Sometimes finding the right sleeping position is a struggle. Some modern mattresses have adjustable features such as adjusting the firmness level or raising the head or the foot of the bed to help you get comfortable. If this feature is something you feel can ease your sleeping woes, investing in it may be the added feature you need to get a good night's sleep.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Like a mattress, pillow choices are subjective to your comfort, and it's always best to match it with your needs and preference. For example, having a good pillow may relieve headaches or other head or neck pain linked to fibromyalgia. However, finding the best one may require a trial and error. It may also benefit you to stock up on more than one kind of pillow so you also have options in the comforts of your home that can supply what you need.
If your fibromyalgia flare-up brings more body pains than usual, you may need a pillow that cushions some body parts to ease pain and tenderness. Apart from pillows that support the head or neck, some specially shaped ones can help support your neck and hips. For example, an L or V-shaped pillow can help support your shoulder and arms as it can go underneath your shoulder and arms when you use them.
When pillow shopping, take advantage of talking to a sales support when you do your pillow shopping to learn more about the latest innovations when it comes to pillows.
Your bedding choice can also affect your sleep quality, especially if you have fibromyalgia. Having suitable bed sheets when experiencing fibromyalgia flare-ups can help make a difference. Below are some factors to consider when you do bed-sheet shopping:
This bedding can help combat this illness's top complaint - widespread pain. Soft sheets are essential in dealing with fibromyalgia pain as they help you avoid pain when the sheets rub on your skin.
Just like when choosing a mattress, supplementing your choice with sheets that let you avoid night sweats can benefit you as you navigate your condition. Waking up in a puddle of sweat can eventually ruin a good night's sleep and even trigger additional health concerns.
Look for airy, lightweight poly fiber designed to wick moisture away instead of absorbing it. These types can help decrease overall sweating while you are asleep. Lucky for us, there are now temperature-controlled fabrics that can benefit both hot and cool sleepers to stay cozy while sleeping.
Skin problems and sensitivities which bring burning or itching sensations may also be present in fibromyalgia patients. Hence, hypoallergenic beddings may help ease discomfort, especially for people with allergies, eczema, or other skin sensitivities. Making sure your sheets are anti-microbial can also prevent pollen and dust from breeding or staying in the fabric, worsening your skin issues.
Making sure you're comfortable during your sleep can help reduce your chances of getting interrupted sleep, but finding a more lasting approach to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms may be critical to keeping them at bay.
Fibromyalgia may be a result of physical or psychological stress. Injury or trauma sustained close to the neck, or head area can lead to upper cervical bone misalignment, which can bring out fibromyalgia symptoms. This is due to the pressure it brings to the brainstem. Upper cervical bones support head movements and protect your brainstem.
When the brainstem gets irritated, it can start to malfunction, resulting in distorted and improper signals sent to and from the brain and body. For example, a light touch can be perceived as something more severe, like fibromyalgia pain and symptoms. In addition, wrong signals transmitted can excite the pain receptors, leading to a person feeling pain that does not exist or is not very painful.
You can have your upper cervical spine health examined at Zehr Chiropractic. Identifying and correcting any misalignment in your upper spine may be the key to lasting fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores MI. To start with your assessment, book your consultation via the online contact form or by calling 231-227-4495.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation, call 231-227-4495 or just 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.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic health condition that sets off widespread body pain and tenderness, while myalgia is a symptom that refers to muscle pain. Learn more about the differences between the two! Also, find out how a chiropractor in Norton Shores, MI, can help you manage fibromyalgia and its symptoms.
Today, let us help you experience lasting fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores, MI. Please feel free to consult with our chiropractic doctors here at Zehr Chiropractic. You may call us at 231-227-4495 or click the button below to book an appointment.
Let's be honest; getting diagnosed with fibromyalgia is not fun. People living with this condition constantly experience widespread pain that can last for months and perceive pain more than those who don't. According to the CDC, fibromyalgia affects about 2% of the adult population in the US; that's about 4 million adults. Although this condition's root cause remains a mystery, you can still manage the symptoms and flare-ups by seeking fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores and knowing as much as you can about the condition. We've rounded up eight essential fibromyalgia facts to help you create a better patient care plan.
Researchers have yet to uncover why fibromyalgia develops. However, some studies manage to identify a few contributing factors. These include the following:
Several diseases and disorders increase one's risk for fibromyalgia. Some examples of these include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and infections.
Whether emotional or physical abuse, young patients who experience abuse are more likely to have the condition when they become adults. This is because a history of abuse (regardless of the form) can change how people perceive and handle pain and stress. Studies also found that abuse can impact neural pathways in the brain.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in people who experience devastating life events. These appear to trigger the onset of fibromyalgia in some people.
Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression have been linked to fibromyalgia, though more research is needed to prove that these disorders cause the condition.
It is common for people with fibromyalgia not to be physically active even before being diagnosed. Sadly, this increases the risk of experiencing worse flare-ups. Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle increases a patient’s susceptibility to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress.
While fibromyalgia can affect a broad spectrum of individuals, it often occurs more in women than men. The current ratio of women to men suffering from this condition is 9:1. Studies attribute this trend to the hormonal changes and increased stress due to menstruations, menopause, or pregnancy. Women also experience more fatigue, widespread pain, and more debilitating symptoms compared to their male counterparts.
Genetics plays a small part in the development of fibromyalgia. This means you can potentially develop the condition if your parents have the gene that makes the nerves and brain more sensitive to pain. Your genes can also influence anxiety and depression, causing you to suffer more than the average patient.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and fibromyalgia, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Most people think physical activity can worsen fibromyalgia pain. In truth, exercise and other low-impact movements can help patients cope better with the pain and other symptoms. Additionally, regular gentle exercises can improve sleep quality, manage mood swings, and promote speedy healing of the body.
However, you have to ease into a new routine when trying new exercises. Take it slowly and carefully, and avoid overworking your muscles and joints. A 5-minute walk is a good starting point, and then you can gradually build up to 30 minutes of daily movement. Yoga, meditation, gentle stretching routines, swimming, or pedaling on a stationary bike are also some fibromyalgia-friendly activities you can explore.
Studies note that between 40% and 70% of fibromyalgia patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms like:
Digestive disorders like GERD (gastrointestinal esophageal reflux disease) and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) are also common among patients with fibromyalgia.
As if the widespread body pain is not enough, migraine-related headaches can also happen to fibromyalgia patients. Headaches are one common symptom of fibromyalgia. It is not new to have fibromyalgia patients suffer from migraine and vice versa—almost 70% of people with fibromyalgia experience tension-type headaches or persistent headaches migraines. Upper cervical care can provide migraine and fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores.
Many factors cause a flare-up of your fibromyalgia. However, it's worth noting that triggers and causes are different, and while these factors can trigger a fibromyalgia attack, they are by no means the cause.
Your brainstem facilitates a lot of the body's vital functions. Also, it acts as a "switchboard" for different signals transmitted between the brain and the body, including pain signals. When signal transmissions get disrupted, your brain struggles to restore balance and process information. Additionally, this might increase the transmission of pain signals which can potentially lead to chronic problems such as central sensitization (oversensitive state of the central nervous system).
This means that fibromyalgia patients' brain perceives slight pain as an excruciating one. A possible cause of this miscommunication is the misalignment of the upper cervical bone - the atlas and axis vertebra. When a misalignment in this area occurs, your central nervous system dysfunctions due to irritation and distortion of the transmission of standard signals and information from the brainstem.
Upper cervical chiropractic care can help return the central nervous system to its optimal function by focusing mainly on the critical regions that are the most essential: the brainstem and the vertebra that protects it. This is also one of the most sought-after sources of fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores.
Zehr Chiropractic is an established upper cervical chiropractic center in North Shores. We specialize in Atlas Orthogonal, which helps different medical conditions, including fibromyalgia. The topmost upper cervical bone, called the atlas, is essential in the brainstem function. If it is even slightly misaligned, your nervous system may send distorted signals, leading to the development of different health conditions.
If you are searching for natural fibromyalgia relief, you are in good hands with Dr. Jeffrey L. Zehr and Dr. Jared Plemon. They are proficient in identifying and correcting misalignments contributing to your fibromyalgia flare-ups and providing gentle neck bone adjustments using the Atlas Orthogonal technique.
You might be one call away from fibromyalgia relief in Norton Shores! Book your appointment at Zehr Chiropractic by calling (231) 780-9900 or booking online.
To schedule a complimentary Atlas Orthogonal consultation, call 231-227-4495 or just 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.