Why Doesn’t My Pain Go Away?
by Dr. Gerald T. Andreoli, DC, DACBN of Arlington Chiropractic Clinic, P.C.
Have you been suffering for a long time with nagging aches and pains, chronic fatigue and insomnia? Are you having trouble sleeping from muscular discomforts, with more headaches, perhaps abdominal pain, and maybe difficulty thinking clearly? You are possibly one of the 10 million Americans experiencing fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS.
CAUSES
Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder often including depression, anxiety, menstrual complaints, muscle spasms, and bowel and bladder issues. The cause is not yet clear, but may be due to the way our nervous system processes pain stimuli. A lowering of pain threshold and an increase in pain perception is generally present. Careful evaluation often reveals a stressful trigger event or period, such as an accident, a flulike illness, emotional stress, or overwork, preceding the onset of symptoms. Unconventional practitioners often look more deeply into the causes of your FMS.
CAN I BE TESTED?
There are no definitive tests available for FMS through conventional medicine. However, alternative and integrative medicine practitioners will often test and frequently find nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, hormone imbalances or unusual infections. If you have reached the end of your search for relief, you may want to investigate these tests. They may involve looking into delayed food sensitivities or nutrient deficiencies, hormone levels of blood or saliva, or stool analysis for detection of bacterial overgrowth of unusual organisms like Candida, bacteria and parasites, and other metabolic imbalances.
WHAT ARE MY TREATMENT OPTIONS?
Conventional medicine physicians often prescribe antidepressants, anticonvulsants and strong analgesics for pain relief, depression, and sleep. Alternative practitioners take quite a different approach in striving to improve and restore the normal functioning of the body, rather than just treating the symptoms. Along with diet counseling and food elimination, specific nutritional supplements are widely used. Some of the supplements commonly utilized are magnesium, thiamine, 5HTP, SAMe, acetyl L-carnitine, vitamin D, ribose, omega-3 fatty acids, herbal and botanical treatments, etc. It must be cautioned not to try these supplements on your own, as some may be harmful for certain individuals. In others, a combination of treatments, technically termed “integrative medicine”, may be best.
BODY WORK AND EXERCISE
An essential component of any FMS treatment often includes chiropractic treatment, massage, physical therapy and therapeutic exercise. A trial of acupuncture treatments may be indicated.
SUMMARY: WHAT ACTION TO TAKE?
For individuals with persisting pain, muscle spasms, sleep difficulties, depression, anxiety, and hormone or bowel problems, seek an experienced, nutritionally educated physician who can fully evaluate your complaints. The first step in diagnosis is to rule-out any other serious conditions that may be treated differently, then discuss the benefits of lab testing. Lastly, after thorough evaluation, discuss the options of various nutritional supplements, chiropractic treatment, massage, exercise and diet. For patients already diagnosed and taking medications, alternative treatments may be integrated.
WARNING/DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. These supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or illness. This material is not FDA approved.
Dr. Gerald T. Andreoli, DC, DACBN, a licensed chiropractic physician, is Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition. The clinic is located at 1702 W. Campbell Street in Arlington Heights. For more information, call 847/259-4493 or visit www.ArlingtonChiroClinic.com.
by Dr. Gerald T. Andreoli, DC, DACBN of Arlington Chiropractic Clinic, P.C.
Have you been suffering for a long time with nagging aches and pains, chronic fatigue and insomnia? Are you having trouble sleeping from muscular discomforts, with more headaches, perhaps abdominal pain, and maybe difficulty thinking clearly? You are possibly one of the 10 million Americans experiencing fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS.
CAUSES
Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder often including depression, anxiety, menstrual complaints, muscle spasms, and bowel and bladder issues. The cause is not yet clear, but may be due to the way our nervous system processes pain stimuli. A lowering of pain threshold and an increase in pain perception is generally present. Careful evaluation often reveals a stressful trigger event or period, such as an accident, a flulike illness, emotional stress, or overwork, preceding the onset of symptoms. Unconventional practitioners often look more deeply into the causes of your FMS.
CAN I BE TESTED?
There are no definitive tests available for FMS through conventional medicine. However, alternative and integrative medicine practitioners will often test and frequently find nutritional deficiencies, food sensitivities, hormone imbalances or unusual infections. If you have reached the end of your search for relief, you may want to investigate these tests. They may involve looking into delayed food sensitivities or nutrient deficiencies, hormone levels of blood or saliva, or stool analysis for detection of bacterial overgrowth of unusual organisms like Candida, bacteria and parasites, and other metabolic imbalances.
WHAT ARE MY TREATMENT OPTIONS?
Conventional medicine physicians often prescribe antidepressants, anticonvulsants and strong analgesics for pain relief, depression, and sleep. Alternative practitioners take quite a different approach in striving to improve and restore the normal functioning of the body, rather than just treating the symptoms. Along with diet counseling and food elimination, specific nutritional supplements are widely used. Some of the supplements commonly utilized are magnesium, thiamine, 5HTP, SAMe, acetyl L-carnitine, vitamin D, ribose, omega-3 fatty acids, herbal and botanical treatments, etc. It must be cautioned not to try these supplements on your own, as some may be harmful for certain individuals. In others, a combination of treatments, technically termed “integrative medicine”, may be best.
BODY WORK AND EXERCISE
An essential component of any FMS treatment often includes chiropractic treatment, massage, physical therapy and therapeutic exercise. A trial of acupuncture treatments may be indicated.
SUMMARY: WHAT ACTION TO TAKE?
For individuals with persisting pain, muscle spasms, sleep difficulties, depression, anxiety, and hormone or bowel problems, seek an experienced, nutritionally educated physician who can fully evaluate your complaints. The first step in diagnosis is to rule-out any other serious conditions that may be treated differently, then discuss the benefits of lab testing. Lastly, after thorough evaluation, discuss the options of various nutritional supplements, chiropractic treatment, massage, exercise and diet. For patients already diagnosed and taking medications, alternative treatments may be integrated.
WARNING/DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only, and should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. These supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or illness. This material is not FDA approved.
Dr. Gerald T. Andreoli, DC, DACBN, a licensed chiropractic physician, is Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition. The clinic is located at 1702 W. Campbell Street in Arlington Heights. For more information, call 847/259-4493 or visit www.ArlingtonChiroClinic.com.