Fibromyalgia, Part 2

What Is The Most Current Theory of Fibromyalgia?

In the last issue we discussed how chiropractic care benefits patients with fibromyalgia. Now let’s look at the newest understandings of this condition.

Today, we look at fibromyalgia in a completely different way. There used to be little or no way to “see” this condition as anything other than 18 tender points in a doctor’s examination. (Which is silly, because fibromyalgia patients are sore everywhere!) Today we know that fibromyalgia patients show the following:

1. - Elevated inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and especially IL-17.
3. - Neuroimaging of the brain shows altered brain structure and disrupted white matter.
5. - Endothelial dysfunction disturbing blood vessels
7. - Sympathetic nervous system dominance
9. - HPA axis disturbance causing low pituitary and adrenal response to ACTH and cortisol
11. - Small fiber polyneuropathy is distal body joints are a driver of pain signals
13. - Non-restorative sleep
15. - Association with pathogens such as hepatitis B or C, HIV, cocksackie B, parvovirus, and Borrellia.
17. - Evidence of cell mitochondrial dysfunction

Science refers to fibromyalgia (FMS) as a mosaic disease, in other words, it is a condition that stems from a specific group of any or all causes. All the conditions in this group are part of Central Sensitivity Syndrome (CSS) or the Neuroinflammation Mosaic. Other conditions in the same mosaic include migraine headaches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, PTSD, Restless Leg Syndrome, TMJ Disorder and others. Every patient’s mosaic is a little different so the approach to care has to be unique to each patient. 

What Does Research Tell Us From Previous Nutrition Studies about FMS?

There are very few studies that give us much information about FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome). Two studies from Spain found that there was “remarkable clinical improvement is FMS patients on a gluten-free diet” ^1,2 This is consistent with the newest information that says that immunity, infection and inflammatory processes are a driver of CSS. In a random controlled trial in 2013 it was found that 300 mg/day of magnesium for 8 weeks reduced tender points, sensitivity and depression.³

Next week we will discuss the newest natural strategies for supporting patients with fibromyalgia.

Isasi C, et al. Rheumatol Int 2014;34(11):1607-1612

Rodrigo L, et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2014;16(4):421

Bagis S. et al. Rheumatol Int 2013;33(1): 167-172