How Chiropractic Care Has Helped Treat My Fibromyalgia

Editor’s note: The following is based on an individual’s experience and shouldn’t be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before going on or off medication or starting a new treatment.

“What’s the best kind of doctor to see?”

Oftentimes, I see this question posted in a large fibromyalgia group on Facebook.

• What is Fibromyalgia?
• What Are Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms?

Most people tell the original poster to see a rheumatologist. However, I have a different suggestion. After ruling out more serious problems, why not see a chiropractor?

Fibro patients are typically referred to a rheumatologist. These specialists treat conditions involving pain, such as arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis and fibromyalgia. They prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms.

I know some medications can lead to a better quality of life, for some people. But sometimes they can cause serious side effects. So I’ve decided to go another way.

Chiropractors also treat pain. They specialize in pain. If pain didn’t exist, they’d go out of business.

 

Right up front, though, I need to point out that I’m not a medical doctor. I can’t give medical advice. Everything you read here is my personal opinion only. It comes from my own perspective of treating my widespread body pain naturally, without drugs.

Were there times I wished a drug was available, to banish my pain for good? Absolutely. However, I know this isn’t realistic. So instead, I decided to place my bets on natural medicine. Seeing a chiropractor was one of the best things I ever did.

Right now, thanks to prayer and a slew of natural remedies, my health is much better than it used to be. I can do a lot more. I have more energy. I’m in much less pain. But I’m not cured. Every now and then, something comes up. Last year, it was excruciating upper back pain.

My homeopath prescribed a few remedies for this troublesome symptom. They didn’t work. Neither did essential oils, my “go-to” pain remedies.

So I went to see a highly recommended chiropractor. I think it’s important to find a good practitioner. If you don’t know of one, maybe someone at your local health food store can point you in the right direction.

My chiropractor spent an hour with me at the first visit. I’m convinced he belongs to a profession that doesn’t get enough respect. Chiropractors are highly trained medical experts, taught to heal without drugs. This doctor took a thorough medical history and then did an examination. (I didn’t even have to take my clothes off and change into a hospital gown.)

Looking at my spine, he noticed my neck was out of place. This, he determined, was the cause of my pain. Even though I felt the problem in my upper back, the root cause was in my neck.

My chiropractor gave me the choice of manual adjustments versus adjustments using a little punch-gun type of device. I chose the latter, since it’s supposed to be good for people with more sensitive bodies.

The treatments caused no pain. Actually, they felt kind of good. I had the sense I was in very good hands, and that my back would be fixed.

It was. After just eight sessions, my chiropractor said, “Now it’s time to turn you loose.” This nagging and infuriating pain hasn’t returned. I’ve had other aches and pains since then. But not in this part of my back.

On the wall of my chiropractor’s office, is an illustration of the human spine. It shows how this part of the body would look if it didn’t have skin. It also clearly explains how the spine is connected to every organ of the body. If there’s a misalignment, our body suffers. Correcting this can lead to better health, is what chiropractors believe.

As I mentioned earlier, I don’t think chiropractors get enough respect. These doctors study for four to five years, much of it spent in clinical training. They know so much about the human body, but from a different perspective.

Are there bad chiropractors? Yes, I’m sure there are, just as there are bad medical doctors. The trick in any discipline is to find an honest and competent professional, one who has your best interests at heart.

I’ve noticed that chiropractors tend to know a lot about nutrition. So, in addition to adjustments on your spine, these doctors can give general wellness advice. They can also recommend their favorite supplements, specifically designed to reduce inflammation naturally, without drugs.

I know this might sound as if I’m getting paid by a chiropractic organization to write this article. But I’m not. I’m just really happy with the care I received, and I want to tell others about my experience. Depending upon your state, chiropractic visits may even be covered by insurance.

In the interest of full disclosure, there is one drawback to chiropractic care. One is that you may feel a temporary increase in pain following your visit. I know I did. This seems to happen especially during the first visits.

My chiropractor calls it “retracing.” It’s similar to what happens in homeopathy. After taking a homeopathic remedy, you may notice you feel worse for a day or two. The troublesome symptoms you’re trying to get rid of may get more intense.

I’ve used a lot of different natural remedies and healing methods. So, for me, I see feeling worse after treatment as a good sign.

Retracing may not happen with everyone. But it did for me. I didn’t mind, because I knew good things would follow.

Whether you should see a chiropractor to treat your pain naturally is a question I can’t answer. This type of care is not for everyone. Some people are definitely more comfortable sticking with mainstream medicine. But if you’d like to try something different, my experience with chiropractic care has been positive. That’s why I’ll continue to tell people about this unique form of healing.

Follow this journey on Organic Palace Queen.

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Thinkstock photo via ChesiireCat.