Chiropractic Care for Fibromyalgia in Portland & Hood River

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a long-term (chronic) condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness, along with fatigue, sleep problems and difficulty with memory and concentration, often called “fibro fog.” Symptoms tend to fluctuate, with better days and flare-ups.

It's thought to involve changes in how the nervous system processes pain signals, a process called central sensitization. In simple terms, the body's pain “volume” is turned up, so ordinary pressure, activity or temperature changes can feel more painful than expected. Fibromyalgia doesn't damage joints or muscles, but the pain is real.

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by a physician, usually a primary care doctor or rheumatologist, based on your symptoms, their pattern over time and an exam, often with tests to rule out other conditions. If you haven't been diagnosed but recognize these symptoms, start with your physician.

Common symptoms of fibromyalgia

• Widespread aching on both sides of the body, above and below the waist
• Fatigue that doesn't match your activity level
• Unrefreshing sleep and waking up tired
• Stiffness, especially in the morning
• Trouble concentrating or remembering (“fibro fog”)
• Headaches
• Sensitivity to touch, cold or noise

What causes fibromyalgia?

The exact cause of fibromyalgia isn't known. Researchers believe several factors combine to change how the nervous system handles pain, and the mix is different for each person. Fibromyalgia is more common in women and is often diagnosed in middle age, although it can affect anyone.

• Genetics, since fibromyalgia often runs in families
• An illness or infection
• Physical trauma, such as a car accident or injury
• Emotional trauma or long-term stress
• Other conditions, as fibromyalgia often appears alongside arthritis, chronic headaches or other long-term pain conditions

When should you see a doctor right away?

Fibromyalgia itself is not an emergency, but some symptoms aren't typical of fibromyalgia and need a medical evaluation. Contact your physician promptly, or call 911 for anything sudden or severe, if you have any of the following:

• Fever
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swollen, red or hot joints
• New weakness or numbness
• A severe new headache, or a headache unlike any you've had before

How chiropractic care may help fibromyalgia

Chiropractic care for fibromyalgia is about comfort, mobility and daily function, not a cure. At ALVIS, care is very gentle and low-force, and it's adapted to your sensitivity on the day, so a visit during a flare-up may look quite different from a visit on a good day.

Care may include gentle, low-force adjustments to help joints move more comfortably; gentle stretching and graded movement guidance that builds activity slowly so it helps rather than triggers a flare; posture and ergonomic advice for work, driving and rest; and wellness support for sleep habits and stress through our wellness care.

We're honest about the evidence: research on chiropractic care for fibromyalgia is limited, and most guidance for fibromyalgia emphasizes gentle exercise and a combination of approaches. Chiropractic care works best as one part of a team approach alongside your physician or rheumatologist, and individual results vary.

In Portland, Dr. Jerome Craig's background as a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner shapes his whole-person approach to lifestyle and wellness conversations. In Hood River, Dr. Andrew Alvis provides the same gentle, paced chiropractic care.

Services used for fibromyalgia:

• Chiropractic Adjustments
• Wellness Care

What to expect at ALVIS

Care for fibromyalgia at ALVIS Chiropractic follows three simple steps, starting with a free consultation. Nothing is decided until the doctor has heard your story and examined you, and there's no obligation to begin care.

1. 1Free consultation: tell the doctor about your fibromyalgia — your diagnosis, your most bothersome symptoms, what triggers flare-ups, the care you already receive and your goals.
2. 2Gentle exam: a careful, comfortable exam of your posture, movement and areas of pain, paced to your sensitivity, with screening for anything that needs a referral back to your physician.
3. 3Paced plan: the doctor explains the findings and recommends a plan that starts conservatively, with gentle care, movement guidance and home strategies, adjusted as you learn how your body responds.

At-home tips while you heal

These general tips are safe for most people. Stop anything that clearly worsens your symptoms and ask your doctor what's right for you.

• Pace your activity: break tasks into smaller pieces and rest before you're exhausted.
• Try gentle movement such as walking, water exercise or stretching, and build up slowly.
• Keep a regular sleep routine, going to bed and getting up at the same times each day.
• Use heat, such as a warm shower or heating pad, for stiffness and aching.
• Track your flare-up triggers, such as activity, stress, weather or a poor night's sleep, so you can plan around them.