Fibromyalgia - What is it?
Fibromyalgia!
What is it? How is it diagnosed?
Is there a blood test, an X-ray study, an MRI study or some other objective test to diagnose it? NO. Not really. It is a "label" diagnosis, in my opinion, that can be a life sentence. I am sure that it is comforting to the sufferer to receive a medical diagnosis that validates that what they are feeling is real. They are not crazy.
In reality, it is there is a great deal of correlation between TMD and Fibromyalgia. 10 of the 18 palpation points are commonly positive in TMD. There are, however, objective tests to diagnose TMD. There are proven Neuro Muscular techniques to treat TMD.
I went to a well respected source to get information on Fibromyalgia. I have copied it below with my comments interspersed.
Fibromyalgia
ARTICLE SECTIONS
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§ Causes |
This article is found on the Mayo Clinic website. My comments are interspersed. - Raman
Introduction
You hurt all over, and you frequently feel exhausted. Even after numerous tests, your doctor can't seem to find anything specifically wrong with you. If this sounds familiar, you may have fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue, widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men.
Temporo Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD) patients are primarily women, with a ratio of 4 to 1 compared to men. - Raman
Previously, the condition was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias.
Although the intensity of your symptoms may vary, they'll probably never disappear completely. It may be reassuring to know, however, that fibromyalgia isn't progressive, crippling or life-threatening. Treatments and self-care steps can improve symptoms and your general health.
Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day. Common signs and symptoms include:
§ Widespread pain. Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in specific areas of your body when pressure is applied, including the back of your head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows, hips and knees. The pain generally persists for months at a time and is often accompanied by stiffness.
Interestingly, all of these areas in the neck region are quite commonly tender with TMD condition. When the jaw is misaligned, the muscles in front of and behind the neck have to accommodate to this misalignment. These muscles are hypertonic and tender to palpation – Raman
§ Fatigue and sleep disturbances. People with fibromyalgia often wake up tired and unrefreshed even though they seem to get plenty of sleep. Some studies suggest that this sleep problem is the result of a sleep disorder called alpha wave interrupted sleep pattern, a condition in which deep sleep is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness. So people with fibromyalgia miss the deep restorative stage of sleep. Nighttime muscle spasms in your legs and restless legs syndrome also may be associated with fibromyalgia.
Sleep disturbance is quite common in TMD condition. The Reticular Activating Center
Since the jaw muscles are hyperactive in TMD, the input into RAC is increased leading to “alertness”. This, of course, is not conducive to relaxation and sleep. Hence people often wake up tired and unrefreshed. - Raman
§ Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating associated with IBS are common in people with fibromyalgia.
IBS is very commonly noted in TMD patients. - Raman
§ Headaches and facial pain. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have headaches and facial pain that may be related to tenderness or stiffness in their neck and shoulders. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which affects the jaw joints and surrounding muscles, is also common in people with fibromyalgia.
Is it just a coincidence that Fibromyalgia patients also have TMD? Is it just a coincidence that once the TMD is treated through Neuromuscular dental techniques, the Fibromyalgia ‘goes into remission’?
It is more logical to consider Fibromyalgia as a general musculo skeletal dysfunction. Since TMD is a large part of such dysfunctions, it stands to reason that TMD therapy often alleviates Fibromyalgia as well. - Raman
§ Heightened sensitivity. It's common for people with fibromyalgia to report being sensitive to odors, noises, bright lights and touch.
Other common signs and symptoms include:
§ Depression
§ Numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet (paresthesia)
This is a common symptom noted with TMD. Since the misaligned jaw leads to muscle spasms of the neck, Scalene muscles of the anterior neck region are often hypertonic in TMD patients. Since the Brachial Plexus of blood vessels and nerves to the arm passes between the Scalene muscles, ‘pinching’ of the brachial plexus leads to tingling of the hands.
With NMD therapy to alleviate TMD, it is common to get resolution of tingling of the hands and fingers. - Raman
§ Difficulty concentrating
§ Mood changes
§ Chest pain
§ Irritable bladder
§ Dry eyes, skin and mouth
§ Painful menstrual periods
§ Dizziness
Dizziness is a common symptom of TMD. Dizziness ( Vertigo) is due to conflicting messages reaching the brain from each of the balance organs in side the ears, each of our eyes and muscles spindles that sense our muscles tightening.
The semicircular canals of the balance organs are housed inside the Petrous pyramids that are part of the Temporal bone. These are similar to spirit levels a carpenter uses that are in three different planes. The temporal bone also has the Glenoid fossa – the ‘socket’ of the TMJ.
With TMD condition, with unequal and excessive forces applied to the glenoid fossae, lead to slightly misaligned balance organs which in turn give conflicting messages to the brain from what the eyes see. Hence the dizziness.
NMD treatment of TMD usually resolves this symptom as well - Raman
§ Anxiety
Causes
The specific cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. However, doctors believe a number of factors may contribute. These factors may include:
§ Chemical changes in the brain. Some people with fibromyalgia appear to have alterations in the regulation of certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. This may be particularly true of serotonin — which is linked to depression, migraines and gastrointestinal distress — and substance P, a brain chemical associated with pain, stress and anxiety, as well as depression.
§ Sleep disturbances. Some researchers theorize that disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause rather than just a symptom of fibromyalgia.
§ Injury. An injury or trauma, particularly in the upper spinal region, may trigger the development of fibromyalgia in some people. An injury may affect your central nervous system, which may trigger fibromyalgia.
§ Infection. Some researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection may trigger fibromyalgia.
§ Abnormalities of the autonomic (sympathetic) nervous system. Your autonomic nervous system is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. Your sympathetic nervous system releases norepinephrine and influences the release of epinephrine from the adrenal gland. The sympathetic nervous system also controls bodily functions that you don't consciously control, such as heart rate, blood vessel contraction, sweating, salivary flow and intestinal movements.
§ Changes in muscle metabolism. For example, deconditioning and decreased blood flow may contribute to decreased strength and fatigue. Differences in metabolism and abnormalities in the hormonal substance that influences the activity of nerves (neuroendocrine) may play a role.
Psychological stress and hormonal changes also may be possible causes of fibromyalgia.
Risk factors
Risk factors for fibromyalgia include:
§ Sex. Fibromyalgia occurs more often in women than in men.
§ Age. Fibromyalgia tends to develop during early and middle adulthood. But it can also occur in children and elderly adults.
§ Disturbed sleep patterns. It's unclear whether sleeping difficulties are a cause or a result of fibromyalgia — people with sleep disorders, such as nighttime muscle spasms in the legs, restless legs syndrome or sleep apnea, can also develop fibromyalgia.
§ Family history. You may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia if a relative also has the condition.
§ Rheumatic disease. If you have a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or ankylosing spondylitis, you may be more likely to have fibromyalgia.
When to seek medical advice
See your doctor if you experience general aching or widespread pain that lasts several months and is accompanied by fatigue. Many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia mimic those of other diseases, such as low thyroid hormone production (hypothyroidism), polymyalgia rheumatica, neuropathies, lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctor can help determine if one of these other conditions may be causing your symptoms.
Screening and diagnosis
Diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult because there isn't a single, specific diagnostic laboratory test. In fact, before receiving a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you may go through several medical tests, such as blood tests and X-rays, only to have the results come back normal. Although these tests may rule out other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis, they can't confirm fibromyalgia.
The American College
History of widespread pain has been present for at least three months
Definition: Pain is considered widespread when all of the following are present:
In addition, axial skeletal pain (cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine or low back pain) must be present. Low back pain is considered lower segment pain.
Pain in 11 of 18 tender point sites on digital palpation
Definition: Pain, on digital palpation, must be present in at least 11 of the following 18 tender point sites:
That is a total of 10 out of the 18 palpation points that are attributable to a misaligned jaw which always works in conjunction with the head and neck. – Raman
Digital palpation should be performed with an approximate force of 4 kg. A tender point has to be painful at palpation, not just "tender."
http://www.nfra.net/Diagnost.htm
Complications
Fibromyalgia isn't progressive and generally doesn't lead to other conditions or diseases. It can, however, cause pain, depression and lack of sleep. These problems can then interfere with your ability to work at home or on the job, or maintain close family or personal relationships. The frustration of dealing with an often-misunderstood condition also can be a complication of the condition.
Treatment
In general, treatment for fibromyalgia is with a combination of medication and self-care. The emphasis is on minimizing symptoms and improving general health.
Medications
Medications can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. Common choices include:
§ Analgesics. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) may ease the pain and stiffness caused by fibromyalgia. However, its effectiveness varies. Tramadol (Ultram) is a prescription pain reliever that may be taken with or without acetaminophen. Your doctor may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) or naproxen sodium (Anaprox, Aleve) — in conjunction with other medications, but NSAIDs haven't proven to be effective in managing the pain in fibromyalgia when taken by themselves.
§ Antidepressants. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressant medications, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) or doxepin (Sinequan) to help promote sleep. Fluoxetine (Prozac) in combination with amitriptyline has also been found effective. Sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) can help if you're experiencing depression.
§ Muscle relaxants. Taking the medication cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) at bedtime may help treat muscle pain and spasms. Muscle relaxants are generally limited to short-term use.
Prescription sleeping pills, such as zolpidem (Ambien), may provide short-term benefits for some people with fibromyalgia, but doctors usually advise against long-term use of these drugs. These medications tend to work for only a short time, after which your body becomes resistant to their effects. Ultimately, using sleeping pills tends to create even more sleeping problems in many people.
Benzodiazepines may help relax muscles and promote sleep, but doctors often avoid these drugs in treating fibromyalgia. Benzodiazepines can become habit-forming, and they haven't been shown to provide long-term benefits.
Doctors don't usually recommend narcotics for treating fibromyalgia because of the potential for dependence and addiction. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, haven't been shown to be effective in treating fibromyalgia.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy seeks to increase your belief in your own abilities and teaches you methods for dealing with stressful situations. Therapy can be provided via individual counseling, audiotapes or classes, and may help you manage your fibromyalgia.
Treatment programs
Interdisciplinary treatment programs may be effective in improving your symptoms, including relieving pain. These programs can combine a variety of treatments, such as relaxation techniques, biofeedback and receiving information about chronic pain. There isn't one combination that works best for everybody. Your doctor can create a program based on what works best for you.
Self-care
Self-care is critical in the management of fibromyalgia.
§ Reduce stress. Develop a plan to avoid or limit overexertion and emotional stress. Allow yourself time each day to relax. That may mean learning how to say no without guilt. But don't change your routine totally. People who quit work or drop all activity tend to do worse than those who remain active. Try stress management techniques, such as deep-breathing exercises or meditation.
§ Get enough sleep. Because fatigue is one of the main characteristics of fibromyalgia, getting sufficient sleep is essential. In addition to allotting enough time for sleep, practice good sleep habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time each day and limiting daytime napping.
§ Exercise regularly. At first, exercise may increase your pain. But doing it regularly often decreases symptoms. Appropriate exercises often include walking, swimming, biking and water aerobics. A physical therapist can help you develop a home exercise program. Stretching, good posture and relaxation exercises also are helpful.
§ Pace yourself. Keep your activity on an even level. If you do too much on your good days, you may have more bad days.
§ Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eat healthy foods. Limit your caffeine intake. Do something that you find enjoyable and fulfilling every day.
Coping skills
Besides dealing with the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia, you may also have to deal with the frustration of having a condition that's often misunderstood. In addition to educating yourself about fibromyalgia, you may find it helpful to provide your family, friends and co-workers with information.
It's also helpful to know that you're not alone. Organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation and the American Chronic Pain Association provide educational classes and support groups. These groups can often provide a level of help and advice that you might not find anywhere else. They can also help put you in touch with others who have had similar experiences and can understand what you're going through.
Complementary and alternative medicine
Complementary and alternative therapies for pain and stress management aren't new. Some, such as meditation and yoga, have been practiced for thousands of years. But their use has become more popular in recent years, especially with people who have chronic illnesses, such as fibromyalgia.
Several of these treatments do appear to safely relieve stress and reduce pain, and some are gaining acceptance in mainstream medicine. But many practices remain unproved because they haven't been adequately studied. Some of the more common complementary and alternative treatments promoted for pain management include:
§ Chiropractic care. This treatment is based on the philosophy that restricted movement in the spine may lead to pain and reduced function. Spinal adjustment (manipulation) is one form of therapy chiropractors use to treat restricted spinal mobility. The goal is to restore spinal movement and, as a result, improve function and decrease pain. Chiropractors manipulate the spine from different positions using varying degrees of force. Manipulation doesn't need to be forceful to be effective. Chiropractors may also use massage and stretching to relax muscles that are shortened or in spasm. Because manipulation has risks, always go to properly trained and licensed practitioners.
§ Massage therapy. This is one of the oldest methods of health care still in practice. It involves use of different manipulative techniques to move your body's muscles and soft tissues. The therapy aims to improve circulation in the muscle, increasing the flow of nutrients and eliminating waste products. Massage can reduce your heart rate, relax your muscles, improve range of motion in your joints and increase production of your body's natural painkillers. It often helps relieve stress and anxiety. Although massage is almost always safe, avoid it if you have open sores, acute inflammation or circulatory problems.
§ Osteopathy. Doctors of osteopathy go through rigorous and lengthy training in academic and clinical settings, equivalent to medical doctors. They're licensed to perform many of the same therapies and procedures as conventional doctors. One area where osteopathy differs from conventional medicine — but is similar to chiropractic medicine — is in the use of manipulation to address joint and spinal problems.
§ Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a Chinese medical system based on restoring normal balance of life forces by inserting very fine needles through the skin to various depths. According to Western theories of acupuncture, the needles cause changes in blood flow and levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord. In a 2006 Mayo Clinic study, acupuncture significantly improved symptoms of fibromyalgia. Research on the benefits of acupressure — a similar practice that uses finger pressure on the skin rather than needles — is inconclusive.
The glaring omission is Neuro Muscular Dental treatment of the TMD which is usually accomplished first. Then posture problems are corrected with the help of and in coordination with chiropractors and physical therapists.
Such an approach is more organic. That is addressing the “cause”, instead of medicating endlessly to treat the “symptoms” alone. Treating symptoms is valid for short term. But not as a long term solution to a treatable condition. – Raman
If you are patient that has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, don't accept that as a life-sentence, that it can be.
Seek out well trained Neuro Muscular dentists that treat TMD properly. You would be amazed to know that very often Fibromyalgia is corrected with such treatment.
What do you have to lose? Perhaps some time and money. What do you have to gain? Your qualtiy of life! Wow! That is something to get hopeful for.
Prabu Raman
Good points in the article. I wonder what other connections you have found in your studies?
I started my NM journey almost 1 year ago. Early this year a woman came to me with advanced wear, daily migraines, headaches since she was 12(she is now 56) and 2 years ago her fibromyalgia kept her in a wheelchair. Narcotics and an assortment of other medications got her to walk and “manage” her migraines. At the time I had only the J5 so we tensed and took a bite. To make this long story short… she has not had a headache since we inserted her orthotic over 5 months ago. I have restored her upper arch and she has a lower orthotic (1 ½ months ago). So she has had an LVI orthotic in for around 2 months. She has not taken any medication for her headaches since but the Fibro is the interesting thing. Since she has been in the fixed orthotic she ahs noticed her Fibro responding. She has almost totally eliminated all medication for her fibro (I forget which she still uses) and has taken no narcotics for any pain associated with the fibro. She says that she is nervous to stop taking everything as when the headaches come they stay for days. I figure it is only a matter of time.
I write this not to brag. ( Obviously I took the information I was given and applied it to an individual who was a perfect patient.) I just wanted to know if there is anything else you have found to talk with local neurologists. I know she will go back and speak the “miracle” to her MD but it would be nice if these people could see the science so maybe they begin to refer the people who may find benefit to the treatment. Have you had other positive results with Fibro patients?
Thanks for the info
Chad Boger
Posted by: Chad Boger | September 24, 2006 at 08:05 PM