multimodal spinal manipulation for long-term recovery of fibromyalgia

[JoseT]

A very interesting case report recently published that shows how a proper chiropractor treatment could provide a long-term recovery from fibromyalgia 🙂

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dovepress.com/cervical-spon...

From the article:

"The present case study describes the long-term symptomatic remission in a patient with fibromyalgia (FM) after multimodal spinal manipulation"

"Multimodal chiropractic approaches, which consisted of spinal manipulation, massage, and intermittent motorized cervical traction, were used twice weekly to relieve soft-tissues and intervertebral joints and stretch core musculatures. The patient’s physical and mental complaints were mostly resolved near the end of 9 months of treatment."

"Multimodal chiropractic intervention consisted of the following:

1) Spinal manipulation was applied to relieve the restricted vertebral segments of the deformed curvatures,

2) Therapeutic ultrasound and a handheld massage device (Strig®, Korea) were used to relax hypertonic muscles and stabilize the spine,

3) Intermittent motorized cervical traction (MID 4M Series®, WIZ Medical, Korea) was used to decompress the intervertebral spaces by stretching the vertebral segments intermittently, and

4) Strengthening exercises at home"

"There may be multiple subsets of FM with different etiopathogenesis. Although central sensitization plays an important role in FM, it is even more important to understand the initial cause"

"According to Vierck, if the peripheral source of pain is successfully blocked, the symptoms of FM will disappear or even not develop in the first place"

"Alleviating the noxious input coming from the peripheral sources of pain can end the symptoms of FM".

Conclusion

"FM is a disorder in pain modulation/processing. Central and peripheral sensitizations are certainly contributing factors to FM. It is more critical to determine the ongoing processing of noxious stimuli in injured tissues that contributes to pain enhancement in central and peripheral sensitizations. Due to the complexity and multifaceted character of FM, a mechanism-based intervention should be tailored to each patient to address the specific issues identified"

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

Full Sceptic head on

"Study author Eric Chun-Pu Chu, Chairman of CDAHK, who focuses on multimodal chiropractic therapy at New York Medical Group– a centre set up by scientists in Hong Kong to provide new neuro-physiological treatments, said: "This paves the way to more targeted treatments for fibromyalgic patients."

Conflict of interest, 2 authors and single case study all makes alarm bells go off. In study they declare no conflicts of interest!!

"The main chiropractic treatment, called multimodal spinal manipulation, has been found to play a key role in the long-term recovery of pain symptoms after diagnosis of fibromyalgia."

Not sure this is agreed by everyone

[JoseT in reply to desquinn]

Well, one of the writers seems to be a top well recognized author in chiropractic case reports, so i would give him some credit

researchgate.net/profile/Er...

Also, i think his report shows how potentially beneficial chiropractic treatments could be, which for instance is already acknowledged by the medical community for the the atlas re-alignment. In fact you can find tons of articles in internet about how beneficial is the proper Neck Alignment for Fibromyalgia Patients.

[0dd_0ne in reply to desquinn]

I think I agree with you. Having had this condition for several decades and having read hundreds, if not thousands, of amazing *cures*, all of which came to naught, I find anything with a SINGLE test subject more than suspicious. I'll take a hard pass at this, and just wait and see.....

[Blue-52]

I would love to have a long term treatment for this, I’m in agony most days, I am now intrigued to look for something in my area, but w am scared about the multiple disc bulging and nerve pain, I’ve read on here some have had more problems.

Thank you for posting.

[CM1EDSUK]

Sorry @JoseT - but I also remain a skeptic. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome sharing similar symptoms, which can also be similar to other disorders, including cervical spondylosis, for example.

It's important to realise that those who wish to publish can do so, even in a 3rd rated journal, so it's important to realise which journals are considered significant.

It's not surprising to read that posture can affect fibro, as with many disorders. This patient had cervical problems (cervical spondylosis), tho I seriously doubt ultrasound, nor a handheld 'massage device' could indeed 'stabilise the spine.'

They also rely upon Vierck from 2006; I think those with fibro would be better helped from more recently emerging knowledge/studies.

It's important that when looking at medical info you need to know whether just a few have experienced similar problems (& outcomes), or is this a larger study reflecting more.

Not too sure, as someone who has occipito-atlanto-axial hypermobility, that I feel the 'medical community' is totally behind your views that he can help with 'atlas' realignment.

[Gizmok9]

who could afford twice a week? I’ve been using a chiropractor for 18+ years, way before my fibromyalgia diagnosis was added, yes I would say it is a benefit but I can only afford every 12 weeks.. I try top up with deep tissue massage as much as can… it helps me manage to keep working

[BonnieMagic in reply to Gizmok9]

Yes chiropractors are very expensive. I recently found a good one who offers a very holistic approach and while I have multiple OA joints she simply does not believe my fibromyalgia diagnosis- or indeed the condition itself. As you can imagine I find her opinion on that less than helpful.

[caico]

An interesting post but not for me. I'll stick with my acupuncturist and his Chinese herbal tablets which suit my body. Everyone reacts differently with fibro to medication and various treatments. Personally, I still believe its a type of autoimmune infliction - and no I don't want replies being thrusted down my throat that this is incorrect - not interested. Take care

[Arymretep]

I’ve found a chiropractor very useful over the years , especially for neck /shoulder probs

[JoseT]

A good chiropractic is really one of the best options for a fibro patient. I dont think the paper intends to show a "cure" , rather is trying to prove that the symptoms can be put in remission with the proper and tailored chiro treatment. I find the paper very well written and researched so please read it thoroughly. Correcting and treating a spine misalignment has had significant benefits for some patients in reducing the severity of fibro symptoms and the frequency of flare-ups. For others, it has even resulted in complete resolution of the problem.

I personally know people who has experienced a huge pain improvement after chiropractic upper cervical care treatment, from being bedridden to be again able to perform lots of daily tasks. Upper cervical care focuses on just the top two bones of the neck, the C1 and C2, which are located at the base of the skull. This sensitive area protects the brainstem as it joins the spinal cord and it also helps to facilitate blood flow to the brain. For these reasons, even a slight misalignment can cause the neurological or blood flow problems that can lead to most fibromyalgia symptoms. In fact NUCCA, orthogonal and atlasprofilax are three well known very specialized form of upper cervical care chiro-tecniques that have proved to be very efective in fibropatients.

Studies on fibromyalgia patients have also uncovered a link between fibromyalgia patients and a history of previous trauma, especially to the central nervous system. Because of this, many patients have sought out chiropractic care for help with the symptoms of fibromyalgia since they are capable of correcting nervous system dysfunction. Misalignments of the spine cause irritation and dysfunction in the nervous system, resulting in pain, muscle tightness, and diminished range of motion, etc. This has been well established, however many fibro sufferers who start their diagnosis/treatment journey start out in the medical system and never make it out of the constant loop of pills and more pills. For instance, anti-seizure medications which in theory should “turn down” our brain function come with all the associated horrible side effects: Weight gain, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches,etc. Is this really supposed to help to treat this syndrome ?

By the way, some chiropractics offer a more holistic approach to treat fibromyalgia. For instance Dr Michael Putman have treated lots of fibropatients with a hybrid approach called BBT (Brain Based Therapy and Functional Medicine):

vimeo.com/62229148

Yes, chiro is expensive and this illness is very expensive to treat. Again, i am sorry to say but i still dont know a famous person suffering from this syndrome who is still bedridden. Money talks.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to JoseT]

That's a lot of opinion