After reading the first article in this two-part series, you see that fibromyalgia is simply a name put to a multitude of symptoms that do not affect each individual in the same manner. Our goal is to find and address the root cause of your symptoms and improve the entire function of the body as a whole.
You Can’t Chase Symptoms
The inability to sleep is a very common symptom in patients with fibromyalgia. Or if able to sleep, they will wake up fatigued with headaches, morning stiffness, problems with thinking and memory (fibro fog), skin temperature changes, decreased endurance, a sensation of always feeling sick, and abdominal pain.
Unfortunately, you can’t chase symptoms.
You need to test to find out why you have those symptoms. While many patients have certain symptoms in common, each person’s diagnosis presents itself differently.
A Deeper Look for Clearer Picture
Let’s look deep into the brain to see how it functions differently for those diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Those with fibromyalgia have a high mesencephalic output – the upper part of the brain stem. Some symptoms of an over-firing mesencephalon are light sensitivity, pain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and sweating. Fibro patients also have an inability of sleeping at 3am and fatigue at 3pm which is due to the malfunctioning of the mesencephalic reticular activating system (RAS).
In addition the over-firing of the upper brain stem causes a excitatory response in the intermedial lateral (IML) cell nucleus of the spinal cord which leads to an increase in heart rate or arrhythmia. The excitory response of the IML also tells the adrenal medulla of the adrenals to release stress hormones, specifically norepinephrine and catecholamines. These two hormones are toxic to the brain, gut connection, and stimulate pain fibers. The pain fibers known as nociceptive fibers are stimulated causing one to notice pain all over. By improving the function of the brain neurologically and metabolically, we improve the feeling and function of patients with fibromyalgia.
But it is not just the brain that is affected. It is the GI tract, the adrenals, and every cell, organ, and tissue of the body, all of which is controlled by the brain.
Next, we test metabolically to make sure the blood chemistry of the individual is optimal using functional biochemistry techniques. All internal functions can be affected by chronic conditions, therefore your blood chemistry needs to be thoroughly evaluated. Additionally we look at intestinal permeability, active antigens (food, chemicals, or microbes that stimulate the immune system), immune panels (autoimmunity), food sensitivities (e.g., gluten, dairy, soy, etc.), hormone panels, and inflammation. Most blood chemistry panels we see are quite inadequate in evaluating the entire person for their condition and general health.
By the end of your case we have a solid picture of what is going on with your brain and body and how well they are communicating together, answering the unanswered questions you have been living with for years. This is the breakthrough for your health you have been waiting for.
