Have you been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but struggle to find someone who can relieve your symptoms? Consider seeking treatment with an osteopathic therapist! Our whole-body approach to health and wellness can help you manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia and other complex conditions.
More than 500,000 Canadians live with fibromyalgia, nearly all of them women. Despite recent efforts to raise awareness about the realities of fibromyalgia, healthcare professionals and the general public frequently misunderstand the condition. Patients often struggle to get a diagnosis or find treatment for their symptoms.
But more and more, people with fibromyalgia are turning to osteopathic therapy to help manage their condition. At Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery, we offer a compassionate approach to fibromyalgia care. Request an appointment with us today to learn more.
What is Fibromyalgia, and Why Is It So Challenging to Live With?
Fibromyalgia is a complex musculoskeletal syndrome defined primarily by its symptoms. Nearly everyone with fibromyalgia will experience the following:
- Chronic, widespread pain, often described as aching, burning, or throbbing
- Intense fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
However, many people report additional symptoms, including:
- Muscle and joint stiffness
- Body tenderness
- Numbness in the limbs
- Brain fog
- Sensitivity to light, noise, odors, or temperatures
- Digestive issues like bloating or constipation
Frequently, people with fibromyalgia report that certain conditions will cause their symptoms to worsen. Stress, extreme temperatures in either direction, too much physical activity, or another illness are all potential triggers for a fibromyalgia flare-up.
Part of the challenge of living with fibromyalgia is the fact that it’s an invisible illness. Like many chronic conditions, it’s not immediately visible to others, making it difficult for people with the condition to find treatment. Too often, their complaints are dismissed as exaggerated, if not completely made up.
We strive to ensure you’ll never feel dismissed by any of our manual osteopathic therapists. Our whole-body approach to care means we’ll get a complete picture of your condition to provide the best treatment possible. We also offer several treatment options you might not have been able to find with other providers.
Why Choose Osteopathic Therapy for Fibromyalgia Care?
Osteopathic therapy focuses on hands-on approaches to healing. It uses several different types of manual treatment to help balance the body’s systems and promote overall health.
Because fibromyalgia is a complex condition that can affect every part of your body, osteopathic therapy is well-suited to providing relief from your symptoms. Our holistic approach also means that we’ll get to know you and your specific experiences with fibromyalgia, allowing us to better customize your treatment plan.
Our personalized approach means that no two treatment plans will look alike. That said, we favor manual (“hands-on”) treatment options. Here are some of the approaches we might suggest:
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT)
- OMT involves applying gentle pressure to manipulate the muscles, soft tissue, or joints, ensuring they’re properly aligned to reduce pain.
Lymphatic Pump
- Lymphatic pump is a specialized type of massage that involves gently manipulating the legs to encourage lymph to move from your tissues to your lymph nodes, helping to reduce pain and swelling.
Myofascial Release
- Myofascial release is another hands-on technique that targets the tissues surrounding and supporting the muscles throughout your body. Your pain may originate from the myofascial tissue, and by gently massaging the tissue, we release the tension causing you pain.
Gentle Movement Program
- Light aerobic exercise can help manage all three main fibromyalgia symptoms (fatigue, chronic pain, and sleeping difficulties). Our therapists will work with you to find a form of exercise you enjoy doing that doesn’t trigger a flare-up.
Request an Appointment Today!
We understand that you may have struggled to find adequate treatment for your fibromyalgia in the past. At Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery, our osteopathic therapists will work to ensure you don’t have a similar experience here.
If you want to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms, request an appointment at our Victoria BC, or Burnaby, BC clinic today. Our dedicated team will help you find the right set of techniques to best manage your fibromyalgia symptoms so you can live the life you want!
