About Fibromyalgia
Everything You Need to Know About Fibromyalgia
Nearly 70% of people with fibromyalgia have not been diagnosed!
Struggling with any type of chronic pain is difficult, because the causes for pain are not always clear, so treatment may not be immediately effective. With fibromyalgia, patients may experience even more frustration through chronic pain, because this condition is often misdiagnosed and met with ineffective treatment options.
Dr. Dean Mitchell & Dr. Ricki Mitchell Specialize in Treating Fibromyalgia
Medical Offices in NYC & Long Island
At Mitchell Medical Group, we have treated hundreds of patients in our NYC and Long Island offices with fibromyalgia and had significant success in helping them get their lives back!
What is Fibromyalgia?
This medical disease is a consortium of pain all over the body. Its cause has eluded modern medicine for now, but researchers are exploring all types of possible reasons the body’s pain system goes into overdrive.
Fibromyalgia is an extremely painful condition that involves fatigue, and muscle pain throughout the body. Approximately five million Americans, mostly women, suffer from fibromyalgia, but some doctors still believe it is simply a psychological disorder. This belief is dead wrong. This disorder is not yet well understood by the majority of traditional doctors.
We now know that people with fibromyalgia experience increased sensitivity to pain—it seems there is some dysfunction in their pain processing centers.
We do not know what causes fibromyalgia, but it’s believed to be a combination of genetics and environmental triggers, like stress, trauma, major surgery, or infection.
There are many common misconceptions about fibromyalgia, as this condition is not very well understood even within the medical community. There are no clear causes for fibromyalgia, and many doctors actually attribute the symptoms of fibromyalgia to psychological causes. In reality, fibromyalgia is a complex physical condition that can cause a wide range of disruptive symptoms.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia has a number of symptoms, most notably aching all over. Other symptoms include:
- Chronic muscle pain and spasms
- Achiness
- Muscle soreness
- Sleep disorders or insomnia
- Digestive problems, including irritable bowel syndrome
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Facial tenderness
- Debilitating fatigue and brain fog (sometimes called fibro fog)
- Sensitivity to light, odors, noise, medications or certain foods
- Limited ability to exercise
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome frequently co-exists with fibromyalgia and shares many of the same symptoms
- Tender spots, body-wide: These spots are typically small, and noticeably more sensitive than the surrounding tissue. However, many people with fibromyalgia have pain body-wide, and no tender points
For a patient to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a physician may first rule out other possible causes of his or her symptoms. The diagnosis may then be made if the patient reports widespread pain that persists for at least three months. Pain that is widespread occurs in all four quadrants of the body.
How Does It Affect Your Life?
Widespread pain is the No. 1 symptom of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia can cause extreme pain in your arms, legs, back, and chest. Sometimes, pain is so severe that patients cannot leave the house. They may miss several days of work or be unable to participate in social activities. For a fibromyalgia diagnosis, the pain has generally lasted for at least three months. Widespread pain is clinically determined to occur on both sides of your body and both above and below your waist. Fibromyalgia patients are also more likely to suffer from headaches, and neck pain. They may also report to their homeopathic doctor with symptoms of pain or cramping in the lower abdomen.
Many people first seek treatment for candida when they begin suffering from severe and unexplained fatigue. Fortunately, it is possible to get comprehensive fatigue treatment that also treats the underlying candida symptoms. However, until then, people with fibromyalgia often awaken exhausted even after they get a full night’s sleep. Fibromyalgia sufferers also awaken frequently due to pain. They are also much more likely to suffer from major sleep disorders, including restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.
In addition to muscle pain and chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia sufferers may have cognitive impairments. For example, a condition commonly referred to in shorthand as “fibro fog” can impair an individual’s ability to focus, pay attention, and concentrate on even mundane daily tasks. Fibromyalgia sufferers may have a hard time completing tasks at work or around the home. They are also more likely to suffer from mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
How Common is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal condition. It affects two to four percent of the population of the United States. Of the five million Americans over 18 who suffer from fibromyalgia, 75-90% are female. Furthermore, women often experience greater fibromyalgia pain and tenderness than men. Researchers believe the condition may be both more common and more intense in women because of differences in hormone and endorphin levels between the sexes.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Unfortunately, doctors do not know what causes fibromyalgia, but it is most likely a combination of factors working together. These factors may include genetic mutations, infections, and physical or emotional trauma. Many doctors believe that repeated nerve stimulation increases certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain. The brain’s receptors can develop a memory of the pain, which makes them sensitive and more likely to overreact to pain signals.
Risk Factors & Triggers
There are many factors that can trigger fibromyalgia. Researchers know that certain people may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia. Some come risk factors and triggers include:
- Viral, parasitic, or antibiotic-sensitive infections
- Injury
- Genetics or family history of fibromyalgia
- Pregnancy (usually beginning soon after the baby is born)
- Toxic Exposures
- Yeast (candida) overgrowth
- Hormonal deficiencies
- Chronic stress
- Autoimmune disorders
- Certain infections and illnesses such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, brain trauma, temporomandibular jaw disorder
- Reptitive injuries and disorders of the central nervous system
- Anything that disrupts sleep such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or a spouse who snores
Holistic Doctors Theory on Causes of Fibromyalgia
Most holistic doctors believe that a combination of factors cause fibromyalgia. This is why fibromyalgia natural treatments may target a number of different symptoms and areas of the body. Common triggers of fibromyalgia pain and symptoms are physical trauma, emotional trauma, and stress. Some people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia have also been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Stress and trauma can lead to an ongoing cycle of fibromyalgia pain, fatigue, insomnia, hormonal imbalances, and an increased sensitivity to pain.
Is Fibromyalgia Real?
The frustrating part for physicians seeing these patients is that there isn’t a specific blood test or radiology test that can confirm the diagnosis. As a result, many doctors like to believe it is not a real chronic illness.
The actual causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, and individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia often appear physically healthy on a variety of medical tests. However, fibromyalgia is a real condition that causes real pain and has a real impact on your life. If you think you may be suffering from this condition, seeking the help of a qualified fibromyalgia doctor is the best way to achieve the health and wellness you deserve.
At Mitchell Medical Group, we see so many patients that fit the general criteria based on a detailed clinical history that we are confident we can help these patients. After doing our extensive testing checking immune markers and vitamin and mineral levels, we offer our patients our intensive 30-day protocol to reverse their symptoms. Our “Real Deal” program is based on protocols developed by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, the country’s leading expert in this area and someone we have worked extensively with to help our patients.
Is Fibromyalgia Curable?
As of yet, there is no single cure for fibromyalgia. However, this does not mean that individuals suffering from fibromyalgia pain and fatigue have no options.
Holistic doctors, like the ones at Mitchell Medical Group, can help patients learn how to make lifestyle adjustments which lessen symptoms. The treatment options available at our fibromyalgia treatment center include vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, hormone replacement, physical therapy and exercise, and even dietary and behavioral changes to help your body heal itself and eliminate fibromyalgia pain. These therapies also help rebalance the immune system and treat the inflammation of the muscles and nerves.
Conventional treatment options may be marginally helpful, although there is a risk of side effects from drugs such as potent pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications. At Mitchell Medical Group, we prefer to take a holistic approach to treatment which has proven successful and doesn’t have the same type of risks as conventional treatments.
Can I Live a Normal Life with Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition; although it often improves with time, it is generally a lifelong health consideration. However, individuals with fibromyalgia can absolutely live normal, healthy, and happy lives. Fibromyalgia does not cause physical damage to the muscles, organs, or joints, and it is not a fatal condition. Successfully treating fibromyalgia means taking a comprehensive and holistic approach to your physical and mental health. Because each person is unique, a combination of treatment options is often used to achieve fibromyalgia pain relief and boost mood and energy levels.
What Makes Our Treatment Different?
Dr. Mitchell has studied extensively with Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, author of From Fatigued to Fantastic and the leading expert in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue treatment. Our treatment is based on his S.H.I.N.E protocol and has proven very successful in treating patients with fibromyalgia.
The S.H.I.N.E protocol requires an in-depth history to assess which areas may the key to a patient’s recovery:
- Sleep: is a key factor in helping patients with both Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue. Through the use of sleep hygiene and natural supplements, a night of good sleep can be achieved.
- Hormone: balancing is critical, especially in fatigue patients. The thyroid and adrenal glands produce key hormones that must be carefully evaluated and supplemented if a patient is deficient.
- Immune: function is a critical factor for both these diseases. Our specialty in successfully treating Candida seems to be a big factor in our success with patients.
- Nutritional: supplementation through oral, injections and I.V infusions have brought patients back to life.
- Exercise: is also key in a sensible way to slowly get the body back to its prior level.
After doing our extensive testing checking immune markers and vitamin and mineral levels, we offer our patients our intensive 30-day protocol to reverse their symptoms. Our “Real Deal” program is based on protocols developed by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, the country’s leading expert in this area and someone we have worked extensively with to help our patients.
Keep Track of Your Symptoms
Patients with fibromyalgia often experience ongoing frustration about their health and the limitations it places on their lives. Tracking your symptoms can help your doctor develop an effective fibromyalgia pain relief plan. Fibromyalgia symptom logbooks are available online or you can develop your own based on your specific challenges. For best results, track your fibromyalgia symptoms every day.
Be as specific as possible with your notes. Each day, indicate your overall pain level on a scale from zero to 10. Then, consider each area of the body. Make a note of your pain level in each area. Continuing to use a scale from zero to 10, make notes about your level of functioning, ability to sleep, quality of life, energy levels, mood, and stress levels. Document your exercise, concentration, appetite, alcohol consumption, and level of social interaction. Over time, you’ll begin to see patterns. These patterns can help your fibromyalgia doctor adjust your treatment plan for optimum results.
Why Do Doctors Have Trouble Diagnosing Fibromyalgia?
Unfortunately, many medical professionals still believe fibromyalgia is simply psychosomatic and not a real and devastating condition. As a result, many doctors struggle to accurately diagnose fibromyalgia and in many cases, like Joan’s, they visit multiple doctors with no relief from their pain. This is why you want to choose a doctor who specializes in treating fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue and has a history of successfully helping patients relieve their pain and symptoms.
Get Treatment for Fibromyalgia: Schedule Your Consultation
Call our office today at 212-397-0157 to schedule your fibromyalgia consultation or request an appointment online. Now offering virtual Meeting with Dean Mitchell MD.
We have offices in midtown Manhattan and Rockville Centre in Long Island.