Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Are You Plagued by Chronic Pain and Fatigue?

Finding a solution for fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a very common reason for why people visit their doctor or healthcare practitioners.  These two conditions share many symptoms, to the extent that some references believe they are on the same spectrum of a single condition. In FMS, pain is the main concern, while in CFS, low energy is more dominant.  Other common complains are non-restorative sleep and other sleep related concerns, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches, impaired cognition and mood concerns including anxiety and depression.

In allopathic medicine a variety of medications have been used to treat these conditions such as: Muscle relaxants, antidepressants, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, steroids and anti convulsion medications.  The results are mixed however and no standard treatment is available thus far.

What are my treatment options? 

As with many other chronic conditions, Naturopathic Medicine can help to create long lasting change by supporting beneficial lifestyle modifications and integrating different evidence based treatment options to create an individualized plan for your unique concerns.

This approach can help to improve the following:  Pain levels, sleep, mood and cognition, digestive dysfunction by repairing and restoring gut function, overall daily function, underlying mitochondrial and immune dysfunction and physical function. 

Our Naturopathic Doctors will conduct a complete health and lifestyle assessment to identify any underlying issues related to your specific concerns.  They will  also advise you on the relevant blood work or laboratory testing required to uncover any associated nutritional deficiencies or biochemical imbalances.  Once the core issues have been identified, your doctor will formulate a treatment plan that includes one or a combination of the following naturopathic treatments:

• Stress management and lifestyle changes
• Diet and Nutrition
• Vitamins and natural supplementation
• Herbal medicine
• IV vitamin drips
• Acupuncture

Our Integrative Therapies For Treating FMS and CFS

The following are additional therapies offered by our KIH practitioners to treat FMS and CFS:
If pain is present, consider making an appointment with our Chiropractic doctor. He uses a combination of soft tissue therapies and manipulations to correct vertebral and muscular misalignments.

Osteopathic therapies are also very helpful in treating acute and chronic pain. Osteopaths use more subtle techniques and adjustments to rebalance the patients musculoskeletal and physiological systems.

Massage therapy with a registered massage therapist is a common treatment used to relax tense muscles including muscle spasms.

Other natural alternatives to medication include therapies such as medical acupuncture with electro-stimulation and active release therapy, shiatsu therapy or traditional acupuncture and hydrotherapy techniques. 

Unsure which therapy to choose?  Schedule a free meet and greet with our clinic director, Dr. Susan Slipacoff, ND below and she will help you to decide which approach, or combination of approaches is best for you.