Last Updated on June 13, 2024 by melissanreynolds
I’ve been receiving chiropractic care for eight months now. It’s improving my chronic pain and so much more.
Let’s remember that in this strange journey with our wellbeing, what helps one person may not help another. So this is my personal experience. But after many years of seeing physical therapists, this chiropractor is the first practitioner to make a real difference. I saw a physiotherapist for many years, but all that did was hold back the tide enough to function. It didn’t change anything. Although Dr Ginevra swears by myofascial release for fibromyalgia, chiropractic has done more for me than that has. It’s like a I took a step back, toward the root cause, behind the myofascial tension.
The gist of this is that I’m putting chiropractic care up there on the list of major turning points in my journey. With Yoga Nidra, low dose Naltrexone, pacing, a good pain management plan and sleeping.
My Chiropractic Care
My chiropractor uses the gentler tools of chiropractic care and works with my nervous system. Her main tool is an activator tool, none of the big body clicks you think of when you imagine a chiropractor. My chiropractor is so passionate about the nervous system and how our bodies work. so we obviously connect on that
The core work of a chiropractor is to ensure the spine is to check and adjust the spine. They fix what they call vertebral subluxations- what Dr Heidi Haavick translates as, “a dysfunctional area in the spine that negatively affects health and wellbeing, due to its influence on the nervous system.” P9 The Reality Check (2014)
And yes, chiropractic work has adjusted my subluxations (primarily and chronically in my spine and pelvis, but also across my spine) and this has helped in so many ways.
8 Month Summary of Chiropractic Care
When I began treatment I was in a vulnerable place, just four months after my hysterectomy and endometriosis excision surgery. So we had to go very slowly.
Aside from Christmas holidays and my trip to Singapore, I’ve gone weekly from October 2023 to June 2024.
It has helped to alleviate the pressure on my muscles, especially in my neck. My joints are hypermobile and the chiropractor helps to realign them. Particularly in my neck and lower lumbar. This has greatly reduced the muscular pain. Especially the lower back pain which was so severe in October that I was on celecoxib and on the waitlist to explore degenerative spinal conditions.
My average pain levels in my pelvis/low back are now around 4/10. My lower back for many months last year was around 7/10!!
I do experience flare ups, particularly in my neck that cause headaches. But not as severe or as long as previously. My sacroiliac joints still misalign but the result is less severe and I’m able to feel it where it is (ie the back of the hips) and not as a mass across the lower back.
My heart rate still has periods where it goes too high, especially in the heat or when I get a viral infection but it recovers more quickly than before. My heartrate variability is generally good.
The fatigue feels like my major issue holding me back. So I’m addressing small things I can do to support energy.
My chiropractor believes that the essence of change is that the gentle adjustments allow the brain and nervous system to sense the body better and it changes the faulty messaging occurring.
But the big, tangible change?
My cervical spine has begun to redevelop its curve! There is a burgeoning curve to my once straight neck!
What does the cervical curve have to do with fibromyalgia? Dr Katz, a practicing rheumatologist, believes that (lack of) cervical spine curve could be a feature used to diagnose fibromyalgia. He posits in recent papers that the lack of curve is caused by pressure from the super tight muscles. And the tightness of the muscles correlates to the intensity of pain. Therefore the presence of the spinal curve is a solid indicator of improvement.
I share more about Dr Katz’ work and intramuscular pressure as a potential cause of fibromyalgia, in this article.
At this point we’ve agreed to continue with weekly adjustments as we don’t want to plateau by going to fortnightly too soon. Especially as my pelvis is usually in dire need of treatment each week. We will reassess next month.
Supporting progress
I’m supporting progress by mindfully increasing my movement. Growing my strength with careful exercises (like micro squats so I don’t aggravate the pelvis). Continuing my Yoga Nidra practice (as if I could get through a day without it lol). And trying to continue my healthy human habits.
Without all the work I’ve done, there is no way my nervous system would be susceptible to treatment. Without eliminating the heavy, painful periods and endometriosis, having my pain management plan in place, trying to follow good pacing, and sticking to my health habits all contribute. It’s not a one and done. It never is with complex issues.
Have you tried chiropractic?
