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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition commonly associated with widespread musculoskeletal discomfort, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and increased sensitivity to pain. Symptoms can vary significantly from person to person and often fluctuate over time.

Many individuals living with fibromyalgia find that physical activity, stress levels, sleep quality, and daily habits can influence how they feel. Managing the condition often requires a comprehensive approach that may involve multiple healthcare providers.

While chiropractic care is not a cure for fibromyalgia, some patients seek care to address joint restrictions, muscle tension, and mobility limitations that may contribute to overall discomfort.

Our approach emphasizes individualized care plans focused on movement, flexibility, physical function, and supporting long-term wellness goals.

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How Our Fibromyalgia Care Plan Works

Structural Correction Chiropractic

Your body possesses an innate healing capacity, yet structural misalignments often block this process. Physical and mental stressors can trigger discomfort, limited range of motion, and various health concerns. Our approach identifies and addresses these imbalances to restore proper function and wellness.

Functional Rehabilitation

Your customized care plan targets muscular imbalances and weaknesses while enhancing movement quality and restoring normal function. This program is tailored to your unique circumstances so you can overcome pain and reach your full health potential.

Nervous System Based Approach

Your nervous system serves as the body's primary command center, regulating every cell, tissue, muscle, and organ. By prioritizing nervous system health and enhancing its performance, we can boost your overall wellness, decrease discomfort, and help prevent future health issues.

How We Treat Fibromyalgia in Newark, DE

Different courses of treatment can help to treat fibromyalgia pain. Each case is unique, and a professional chiropractor will assess the situation and determine the best course of action. There are different approaches and treatment types available, including the following.

Fibromyalgia Care

Specific Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors are musculoskeletal and nervous system experts, making us the perfect practitioner to help relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. Chiropractic care can help reduce pain, improve flexibility, and decrease stiffness.

Identifying and correcting subluxations – misalignments in the spine – restores nervous system function and balances the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic care can significantly improve a person’s quality of life by relieving pain, promoting relaxation, restoring proper function throughout the body, and optimizing the body’s natural healing process.

Massage Therapy and Soft Tissue Work

Massage therapy and soft tissue work can help relieve pain in all areas of the body, relax tense muscles, and promote the healing process. Massage therapy may be an excellent option for people suffering from it. It can reduce the stress associated with the disorder and improve blood flow to the muscles, which results in less pain and improved flexibility.

Customized Exercise Plan

A doctor may recommend custom exercises designed to target the muscles causing pain. Strengthening and stabilizing exercises improve joint health and promote mobility throughout the body. We will create an exercise plan based on your consultation and exams, taking into account your condition and health goals.

Acupuncture

Many people combine acupuncture and chiropractic care because they complement each other well. These types of treatments reduce muscle tension and pain. Acupuncture could also reduce stress in the body and decrease blood pressure, which are both common concerns in people with this condition.

Nutritional Supplementation

An anti-inflammatory diet is critical to managing the pain of inflammatory conditions. Several complementary treatments can help improve your quality of life. Vitamin B12 supplement, often combined with women planning to become pregnant, is vital for the normal development of the fetus and the healthy functioning of its nervous system. According to some studies, vitamin B12 supplementation has been shown to improve pain levels and reduce muscle stiffness. In addition to B12 vitamin supplements, multivitamin supplements are also recommended.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a treatment that uses sensors to monitor body processes, such as heart rate and muscle tension. Patients can then practice controlling the monitored functions to improve their health. Studies have shown that biofeedback might help reduce stress and manage pain.

Hydrotherapy

Patients who are most stiff and have difficulty exercising might consider offering hydrotherapy. A hydrotherapy pool allows you to exercise in the pool and target specific muscles. The buoyancy of the water will enable you to relax your body and target specific areas of your body.

Stress Management

Stress can increase pain and stiffness by affecting the nervous system and exacerbating fibromyalgia symptoms. As such, it is important to learn stress management techniques. A healthy way to learn stress management is through practicing yoga. It is also important that you exercise regularly, which is a great way to help relieve stress.

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Based on 116 reviews

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Gwen Pinkerton

May 12, 2025

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Great Chiropractor. Doing a good job and getting we put back correctly!

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Pamela

April 2, 2025

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Dr South is very knowledgeable and has helped tremendously with my headaches. Highly recommend!

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Beverly K.

April 11, 2025

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Knowledgeable, friendly and supportive people. Treatments that actually help you feel better and improve your health

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Leslie Beckett

April 9, 2025

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I have received chiropractic care since 1983 and have experienced many positive practice models. The techniques and overall caring in this practice are unparalleled.

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Michael Simpler

April 7, 2025

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Dr South is very professional and sincerely cares about his patients. He has eliminated my migraines and continues to improve issues with my neck and back. I had an elderly dog who could hardly walk and I took him to the vet three times in two weeks. They gave me prescriptions that were not helping, then recommended a chiropractor. I was surprised they recommended Dr South, already my chiropractor! One visit and he was walking pretty normal. After the second visit he was running and playing like a puppy. We had another three years of quality life thanks to Dr South. I'm so grateful to have him in my life!

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Brenda Diane Tingen

April 7, 2025

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Dr South, Sharon, Sam and NaMeta are amazing. They genuinely want to know how you are doing from visit to visit. They know each of their patients by name and greet you at the door. Their attention to detail is spot on. I enjoy every session that I have with them. Can't imagine going to anyone else for my Chiropractic needs.

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Angelique Davis

April 5, 2025

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Excellent service. Excellent care from Dr South and staff!

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Rhett Walls

April 4, 2025

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Great service, and caring people!!!

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Adam B.

April 4, 2025

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Amazing chiropractic doctor. He is very attentive and thorough and really wants to help each patient. Highly recommend if you want the right and correct treatment for your medical needs.

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Stanley Bates

April 2, 2025

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Excellent service.

Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia in Newark, DE

Pain and Stiffness

It’s not just about pain; it is about chronic pain and other symptoms. After a while, the pain can affect your ability to participate in daily activities. Many people with fibromyalgia complain of painful areas all over their body, including the neck, back, shoulders, arms, and legs. Spasms or “trigger points” under the skin may hurt as well. You may wake up with a sore back or stiff muscles that remain painful throughout the day. The pain can range in severity from mild to extreme and can be constant or intermittent.

Fatigue

Fibromyalgia can make you feel tired. The combination of pain and fatigue can make it hard to function daily. You might have trouble concentrating or sleeping, even though you may be able to sleep soundly before bedtime. Although some people with this condition can work full-time, others have difficulty leaving the house due to pain. When your body remains stiff for a long time, it becomes harder for your muscles and nerves to relax.

Anxiety and Depression

Many people with fibromyalgia experience anxiety and depression. Many things cause this, such as a stressful lifestyle, lack of sleep, and other stress-related situations. These symptoms feed on themselves and only exacerbate the physical and emotional discomfort of living with fibromyalgia.

Difficulty Sleeping

Sleep disturbances are common in people with fibromyalgia and can disrupt your quality of life. One of the most common symptoms is difficulty going to sleep at night. You may wake up several times during the night, which leaves you exhausted and frustrated.

Cognitive Problems

Fibromyalgia can cause cognitive problems, such as short-term memory loss and difficulty concentrating. It can make it hard to do everyday activities and maintain a job. It also makes it challenging to remember medical information.

Headaches

People with Fibromyalgia also experience headaches, which several factors can cause. Migraine headaches, sinus headaches, muscle tension headaches, and tension-type headaches, are all common in this condition. They can be very intense and debilitating.

Digestive Issues

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common gastric problems associated with fibromyalgia. Disruptions to proper nerve system functioning can also cause bloating, nausea, and diarrhea.

Because the muscles near the back of your stomach and your sphincter muscle can be so tight, it is hard for them to relax and control bodily functions. This includes managing the flow of urine. If this area becomes irritated, you may experience painful urination, rectal pain, and a feeling that something is stuck in your rectum.

TMJ Disorders

When your jaw and cheeks are very painful, it can affect your bite, which causes pain in the muscles of your head and neck. It is known as TMJ disorder. Many people with fibromyalgia suffer from problems such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), jaw clenching, and headaches due to TMJ disorders. Treating this condition as soon as possible is essential to prevent future problems. Chiropractors are experts at restoring function to the TMJ and relieving TMJ symptoms.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can chiropractors in Newark, DE, help with fibromyalgia?

Yes! Chiropractic care for fibromyalgia can reduce pain, improve flexibility and muscle strength, and improve the nervous system’s overall function. It can also help enhance the quality of sleep and reduce anxiety. These effects are instrumental in improving the quality of life for fibromyalgia patients.

What is the best fibromyalgia treatment?

Different types of therapy can help with this disorder. Examples include acupuncture, osteopathic manipulation, and home exercise programs. Home exercise programs are often done by patients themselves or under the supervision of a physical therapist or another healthcare professional. You can also try looking for a way to control your pain and stiffness. Chiropractors can provide the following therapies: spinal manipulation, cranial velocity therapy, spinal decompression, electrotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound, neural stimulation, biofeedback training, massage therapy, and cold laser therapy.

What is the root cause of fibromyalgia?

According to many experts, the main symptoms can be divided into two major categories: neuropathic and myofascial. Both neuropathic and myofascial are thought to be causes of endorphin deficiency in the body. Endorphins are chemicals that act as natural painkillers in the body. When there is a decreased amount of endorphins, you are more susceptible to pain and stiffness. Another theory behind the root cause is an overactive immune system responding to a person’s past infection or injury. This overreaction causes inflammation that can result in pain.

What should you not do if you have fibromyalgia?

If you have the disorder, you should avoid some activities:
  • Sitting for long periods
  • Lifting weights above your head
  • Running or jogging on uneven surfaces
  • Heavy lifting
If you have a pinched nerve in your neck, avoid turning your head to the left and right too quickly. It can irritate the muscles near the shoulder and cause problems. It would help if you also avoided cold showers, which can cause muscles to spasm. Also, avoid overdoing it and getting frustrated, as this can worsen your pain.

What does fibromyalgia feel like?

Fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from person to person, but they can include the following: chronic and widespread pain, tenderness at specific points in the body, fatigue, tiredness, stiffness, and achiness. Symptoms are often described as a constant dull pain.

Should someone with fibromyalgia get a massage?

Massage therapy is an excellent treatment for people with fibromyalgia. In addition to treating pain, massage therapy helps release muscle tension and improves blood circulation (more blood gets to the muscles) and flexibility. It also helps relax the muscles so your joints don’t become overly tight. Massages increase the production of endorphins, which help with pain and inflammation.

When your muscles are tight, one reason is that they are not getting enough oxygen. Massage therapy also helps get more oxygen to the muscles and thus reduces tension.

What happens if fibromyalgia is left untreated?

It is essential to seek treatment if you have fibromyalgia, are pregnant, or suffer from a chronic illness. You may develop chronic pain that leads to other conditions if not treated. Such conditions include osteoarthritis, lupus, depression, heart disease, and fibromyalgia symptoms. Chronic pain can cause your muscles to tighten up even more since they are already in pain. It can further reduce movement and flexibility, making them even more painful.
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