Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia has become common and familiar to doctors and patients alike because it has grown rapidly in the past 10-20 years. The increase in chronic pain conditions people experience is puzzling and debilitating for the health care field. In conventional medicine, there is no specific test to make the diagnosis and so it is made based on a physical exam and the symptoms of the condition.
Naturopathic medicine offers a unique perspective on fibromyalgia and chronic pain. This is because the scientific principles incorporate a study of the function in the body’s tissues and organs. In other words, when there is not a detectable disease-based change, we can still identify imbalances that contribute to an irritation of the nerves and tissues that leads to pain.
For example, it is well known and understood that the acid-alkaline balance in the blood is very important for sustaining good health. The body’s inherent ability to self-correct includes several biochemical mechanisms for keeping pH (acid-alkaline balance) normal. When toxic stresses and other toxic influences overcome the body’s ability to selfcorrect, the pH is altered and it is possible to develop pain as the acid level increases in the tissues.
This is one example of what is known as a functional syndrome. These occur when normal body function is lost and the body is unable to recover and be restored to normal balance. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can have one or a number of functional syndromes as the cause of the condition- when viewed from a naturopathic perspective.
Some of the other functional syndromes leading to fibromyalgia and chronic pain include chronic immune reactions such as occur in infections (bacteria, virus, yeast and/or parasites) or allergies. Other syndromes include lack of rest, poor nutrition, endocrine disruptions ( thyroid, etc.) and congestion in the body’s detoxification systems such as the liver, kidneys and/or lymph system.
There are many ways to approach treating and overcoming fibromyalgia. First, we need to know what is driving the imbalance of function, if it is possible to detect. When we know this, it is much easier to make efforts at reducing the way it wears down the body. When there is less wear and tear on the body, it recovers more easily and quickly.
When the causative dysfunctions are minimized, we can then begin the rebuilding of healthy cells and tissue, detoxification of accumulated debris and regeneration of healthy cellular respiration (use of oxygen for making energy).
Greenspan Good Health Center, P.C.
7000 SW Hampton St., Ste 217
Tigard, Oregon 97223
(503) 684-1875
doctors@greenspangoodhealth.com
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