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Fibromyalgia Alternative Treatments |
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Fibromyalgia syndrome is becoming more and more common. Symptoms include daily fatigue, un-refreshing sleep, brain fog, severe fatigue after exercise, memory loss, irritability, ongoing depression, low body temperature and an overall persistent sick feeling and most prominently- pain at various sites (tender points) along the body. Many doctors consider Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue to be the same condition with slightly different symptom manifestations.
We have found that in the majority of cases, heavy metal toxicity (especially mercury) and an unbalanced intestinal system (dysbiosis) are at the root of this debilitating condition. Typically we will focus on these two issues at the outset of your treatment. If these problems are suspected, we may order specific lab tests (urine analysis for heavy metal toxicity and stool analysis for intestinal problems) to verify our suspicions. Treatment for heavy metal toxicity includes using DMSA( a prescription medication) and other agents to “chelate” or pull out the metals from your body. Treatment for an unbalanced intestinal system includes getting rid of any overgrowth of unwanted harmful micro- organisms (especially a yeast called Candida Albicans) and replenishing your intestinal system with beneficial bacteria (pro-biotics). We typically use a safe prescription medication and/or an herbal preparation to kill any unwanted guests in your intestinal system. We use a high grade natural oral pro-biotic formulation to re-implant your intestinal system with the beneficial bacteria. This approach has proved very successful. Hormonal Imbalances Quite often a person suffering from Fibromyalgia will have previously undetected problems in their hormonal (endocrine) system. The main glands involved are typically the adrenal glands and especially the thyroid gland. Other glands may also be involved in some cases. Most patients coming to see us have been to several doctors with no favorable treatment results. One reason for this is that the previous doctors have missed hormonal deficiencies and/or imbalances in the above mentioned glands. If these problems are suspected, we will order specific blood tests (for thyroid and other glands) and a saliva test (for the adrenal glands) to accurately pin down any deficiencies or imbalances. These can be corrected in most cases with prescriptions. Usually we see great improvement in the patient’s quality of life when their hormonal system becomes balanced. Diet, Sleep and Exercise Eating right and getting enough high-quality sleep are crucial parts of any wellness plan. Almost all Fibromyalgia patients have some sort of sleep problem initially. We have several safe, natural techniques to get our patients sleeping better and subsequently feeling better. We may check their intracellular minerals through specific labs nationally, which is mostly unfamiliar to primary care physicians and treat accordingly with oral and IV treatments. We also will give you guidance in how to eat better. A healthy diet is also another critical piece in the journey to optimal health. Appropriate exercise is another crucial piece to any plan for optimal health. The key word is appropriate. Many of our patients are unable to exercise properly when they first see us. However, after we advance them on the road to optimal health, they are then able to partake in a regular exercise program. We are careful to recommend an exercise program that fits the needs and condition of each patient. Identification of Hidden Infections Less commonly, in stubborn cases, a hidden low level infection may be at the root of Fibromyalgia and fatigue. A low lying bacterial, viral, or fungal infection may exist. These infections can go undiagnosed for years. We have special testing methods designed to find these hidden infections as well as proven techniques for getting rid of the infection and building your immune system. There are specific tests again that indicate presence of these infections and we target them based on the lab results, which most primary physicians are not trained to interpret or use routinely.
Using SPECT Scans, a study from the University of Alabama found that there is a lessened brain blood flow in people suffering from Fibromyalgia than in people without Fibromyalgia.
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