Fibromyalgia is a form of generalized muscular pain and fatigue that affects approximately 4 million Americans. The name, Fibromyalgia, means pain in the muscles and the fibrous connective tissues (the ligaments and tendons) and is non-descript in itself. Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia is dependant on a person’s symptoms, complaints and feelings. Pain is the most prominent symptom of Fibromyalgia and it generally occurs throughout various areas of the body although it may start in one region, such as the neck and shoulders, it can spread to other areas over a period of time.
Most people diagnosed with Fibromyalgia also have chronic, often severe fatigue with a lack of energy, decreased exercise endurance, and lack of sleep. Sometimes the fatigue is more of a problem that the pain. Headaches, especially muscular (tension headaches) and migraine headaches, are common in Fibromyalgia. Abdominal pain, bloating, digestive problems, bladder spasms, and irritability may cause urinary urgency or frequency may also be present. Patients may experience skin issues and a decreased blood circulation, become sensitive to temperature changes, resulting in temporary changes in skin color.
Functional Medicine takes a different approach to the treatment and prevention of Fibromyalgia. After a thorough neurological examination as well as a complete Metabolic work-up, we need to determine the possible ‘causes’. Most Fibromyalgia patients are found to be autoimmune; they have a dominant, or hyper-firing side of their immune system that is now attacking self-tissue. This starts as an attack on and ‘antigen’ that is lodged in the tissue being assaulted. (see Dr. Conners book, “Help, My Body is Killing Me…”, available as a free download on this site for more detail)
In many Fibromyalgia patients we may find a high mesencephalic output, a disfunction in the deep part of the brain that is a cause of many of Fibromyalgia’s unique symptoms.
There are three parts to the brain stem: top, middle, and lower. The mesencephalon is the top part of the brain stem. A high output of the mesencephalon will cause an increased pulse and heart rate, inability to sleep or waking up from fitful sleep, urinary tract infection, increase warmth or sweating, and sensitivity to light.
Along with a high mesenphalic output, the Fibromyalgia patient may have a decreased output of the cerebellum. The cerebellum is in the back part of the brain, and it controls all of the involuntary spinal musculature.
No matter what the condition, it is imperative that the patient receives a thorough and comprehensive exam to determine the exact nature of the condition.
