Help! I Hurt All Over

The incidence of chronic pain in the United States is high — one in five adults reports chronic pain and 8% of the population experiences high-impact chronic pain. In many cases, the pain is located in one area, such as your back or knees. But pain “all over” is another matter entirely and generally stems from one of two conditions — fibromyalgia or arthritis.

As musculoskeletal experts, our team here at Pinnacle Health Chiropractic, under the direction of Dr. Jason Ablett, understands the many conditions that can lead to chronic pain, as well as the two culprits behind widespread pain.

Let’s take a look at why your body may be hurting all over and what we can do about it.

Fibromyalgia and pain

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects up to 10 million people in the United States, predominantly women who account for the majority of cases.

The hallmark of fibromyalgia is widespread musculoskeletal pain (in your bones and muscles), but this isn’t the only symptom. 

Other side effects of fibromyalgia include:

• Fatigue
• Cognitive issues that we refer to as “fibro fog”
• Sleep disturbances
• Mood issues

Fibromyalgia can be a frustrating condition to deal with as the symptoms can come and go, flaring up and then receding again, making them a moving target.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a catchall term for more than 200 different diseases that cause pain and inflammation in your joints. More than 54 million adults in the US have doctor-diagnosed arthritis, but this number is expected to reach almost 79 million by 2040 as our population ages.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis (OA), which affects more than 30 million adults. This progressive and chronic condition occurs when the protective cartilage in your joints breaks down, which leads to pain and inflammation in your joints as your bones rub together. OA can affect any of your joints, but it commonly develops in those joints that move the most, such as your knees, wrists, hips, feet, and back.

Another common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is an autoimmune disorder in which your body mistakenly attacks the linings in your joints. RA can lead to widespread pain as it typically affects your hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees, and ankles.

Treating fibromyalgia and arthritis

When it comes to treating fibromyalgia and arthritis, it’s important to note that there’s no cure for these conditions. That said, there are plenty of ways that we can minimize the pain and manage both conditions to restore your quality of life.

For both fibromyalgia and arthritis, we tailor a treatment plan to your unique needs and goals, which may include:

• Manual chiropractic adjustments
• Ultrasound therapy
• Massage therapy
• Rehabilitative exercise or rehabilitation

In addition to these treatment protocols, we work with you on lifestyle changes that can go a long way toward relieving your pain, such as exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction.

If you’re hurting all over, contact our office in Kirkland, Washington, to get on the road to pain-free living.