Chiropractic treatment is not always recommended for Fibromyalgia as it is very dependent on an individual’s circumstances.  But if you have suffered any injury, accident, suffer from TMJ or have severe back pain then it can be very effective.

 

I personally chose to see a chiropractor because I had such bad, persistent back problems and two different massage therapists advised me to go, so I did.  It’s been hugely beneficial for me because I found out I had mechanical issues in my spine which I wouldn’t have been able to put right myself.  Via my GP I also had x-rays taken and an MRI scan done so I was very well informed about what specific problems I had and I would advise anyone else to do the same.

 

Chiropractic treatment focuses on a chiropractor using his/her hands to make adjustments to your joints, concentrating especially on the spine.  Chiropractors work towards realigning the spine and correcting any ‘mechanical’ problems.  They may also use trigger point therapy to help relieve muscle tightness and areas of myofascial pain.

 

Chiropractic treatment can help with a number of different conditions including sports injuries, back and neck pain, whiplash, headaches, migraine, leg pain, sciatica and TMJ.

 

An initial assessment will take up to an hour and subsequent treatments generally last approximately 15-20 minutes. The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help normalise the functions of the joints and muscles, and to (hopefully) remove pain.

 

A chiropractor may also give advice on exercises to rehabilitate muscles, to improve fitness or reduce symptoms.  They will also discuss other things you can do between appointments to help reduce symptoms, such as using ice-packs or spray for joints or heat packs for muscles.  They may also discuss alternative courses of action, use ultrasound or acupuncture, advise on further investigations they feel may be beneficial, or refer you to your GP if symptoms don’t improve.

 

Sometimes side effects can occur after a treatment but these are generally short-lived.  You may feel some discomfort or mild pain, stiffness or tiredness but all these symptoms generally disappear within 24 hours.  Other times you may walk out feeling fantastic!

 

In my experience chiropractic treatments can also – on occasion – relieve emotional burdens so be warned!  I was told for years that I was holding a lot of emotional tension in my back by a massage therapist I used to see.  I’ve since heard of this quite frequently; where emotional pain can manifest itself in physical problems instead.  I find it very bizarre and I never cease to wonder at the miracle of the human body!  

 

The last point I would make is that if you see a chiropractor and don’t feel as though they are listening to you or helping you, then change to another one.  You don’t have to stick with the first chiropractor you try.  Make sure that they listen to you and – just as importantly – offer advice and exercises between sessions.