PORTLAND OREGON CHIROPRACTOR
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FIBROMYALGIA
FIBROMYALGIA : GENTLE, EFFECTIVE, DRUGLESS MANAGEMENT OF A COMPLEX DISORDER
DR. STRASSER TREATS FIBROMYALGIA BY ADDRESSING THE NEUROLOGICAL, MECHANICAL AND NUTRITIONAL FACTORS THAT LOWER THE BODY'S CRITICAL THRESHOLD FOR CSF.
Fibromyalgia is now being recognized as a significant condition that can have a marked impact on daily living. Dr. Strasser has over 20 years of experience helping patients manage Fibromyalgia. He views fibromyalgia as a "threshold disorder".
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by episodes or "flare-ups" of generalized muscle aching, tenderness, fatique often accompanied by feeling depressed or "low". Fibromyalgia is now universally recognized as a cluster of symptoms although there are no tests or imaging that can be used for objective identification. Science is presently researching fibromyalgia to try to help understand its chemical mechanisms. For instance, it appears that patients with fibromyalgia have more of a particular pain chemical (substance P).
Studies tell us that 2-4% of the population have fibromyalgia, the majority of them women, but this figure has to be considered an estimate only. There does not appear to be true inflammation with fibromyalgia. Lab tests can usually rule out other disorders which cause fibromyalgia-like symptoms. Abnormally low thyroid function can cause symptoms like fibromyalgia.
Dr. Strasser characterize fibromyalgia, as he does migraine or chronic fatigue syndrome, as a "functional threshold disorder". A person with a functional threshold disorder has a sensitive nervous system that, when triggered, sets off a series of rapid neurological reactions. The nature of these reactions differs with the particular cluster of symptoms which define the type of threshold disturbance. Migraine, for instqnce, begins with a triggering of the nervous system resulting in a "neurological storm" which initiates the headache and the other symptoms in the "cluster" we identify as migraine.
For the fibromyalgia sufferer, the alarmed nervous system brings on an episode of constant uncomfortable and sometimes debilitating aching, stiffness and depression. Fibromyalgia is primarily not a "chemical" problem to be ameliorated with a drug, but a neurological phenomena, perhaps even a helpful signal from the body of overload. Fibromyalgia is not a disease. It is the response of a reactive nervous system to demands which lower the threshold or overwhelm it.
What causes your threshold to lower? The most important factors are:
Fibromyalgia can be effectively managed by determining which combination of these chronic factors is lowering a patient's threshold and then engaging in an integrated approach which raises your threshold and lessens the number and the severity of fibromyalgia incidents.
It is important to differentiate "triggers" from chronic threshold factors. Triggers are immediate single reactions, like eating a particular food, which may be the one final irritation that lowers the threshold. Threshold factors are more important, more chronic and more complex factors. Raising the threshold to fibromyalgia requires an integrated treatment approach which addresses both neurological and structural body imbalances and often lifestyle changes which can be difficult to address. There is no "quick-fix" in raising thresholds.
Dr. Strasser has found that fibromyalgia patients respond best to gentle chiropractic therapies. He utilizes non-force and low force techniques in treating the joint restrictions, hyper-tense muscles and positive cranial trigger points found in fibromyalgia. Cranial therapy and chiropractic treatment address the nervous system stress and imbalances that initiate fibromyalgia. Special fibromyalgia exercises are prescribed.
Addressing stress is a critical factor in managing fibromyalgia.Sometimes consulting a psychologist helps to define stress issues that may be impacting the fibromyalgia threshold.
In most cases, specific diets or regimens are not necessary in managing fibromyalgia. A basically good whole food diet eliminates dietary problems for most patients. Certain selected supplements and remedies can help manage fibromyalgia, but should be prescribed on an individual basis. Over-the-counter anti-inflammantory drugs can help fibromyalgia symptoms, but long-term use is not advised.
The goal in treatment is not to "cure" fibromyalgia, but to raise the threshold against fibromyalgia attacks. Gentle chiropractic therapies and whole person strategies that address each individual patient's unique threshold factors emphasizes treating not only the symptoms of fibromyalgia, but its cause.
We are always available to answer questions you may have regarding Dr. Strasser's approach to treating Fibromyalgia.