7 Tips to Help Fibromyalgia from a Kansas City Chiropractor

1. Drink water:  You should drink 1 liter or 1 quart of water per 50 pounds of body weight PER DAY!!!  Only water counts.  Tea, soda, flavored water, fitness water, carbonated water, or any other version that is not pure water doesn't count.  I do recommend that you drink filtered water if at all possible.  Pur is an inexpensive brand that carries a wide assortment of filters and water pitchers.  There are other higher end water filters that remove even more impurities, but for a start, Pur does a great job!

2. Avoid artificial sweeteners:  Any of the colored packets, pink, blue, yellow...aspartame, saccharin, Splenda, and NutraSweet tend to worsen the symptoms of many Fibromyalgia patients.  It may make your food taste sweet, but what else is it doing to your body???  (I even had a Type 2 Diabetic patient report that her blood sugar levels dropped after cutting out diet soda)

3. Become a Label Reader: Look at the labels on the food in your pantry and refrigerator.  Do the ingredients include a laundry list of items that you can barely read, much less pronouce?  That particular item is most likely loaded with chemical food additives and/or preservatives.  Many Fibromyalgia patients are very sensitive to food additives, chemicals, and preservatives.  If you must buy boxed food items, look for ones that have less ingredients total, and labels where you recognize the ingredients.

4. Shop the outside aisle of the supermarket:   That's where all of the whole food, and fresh and raw items tend to be.  The supermarket is loaded with sugary and chemical-laden foods in all those center aisles.  If you are lucky, you can go down the juice aisle and get not-from-concentrate and no sugar added juices.  Again, read your labels!

5. Find a Chiropractor that has experience with Fibromyalgia patients:  I have treated many Fibromyalgia patients, and when they follow my recommendations, they have all seen improvement in their energy levels and decrease in their pain levels.  Chiropractors are trained to detect subluxations or misaligments in the spine.  These misalignments of the spine often contribute to the varying pain levels in a Fibromyalgia patient.  Working with a Chiropractor to keep your spine in alignment is critical to improving your quality of life, even if you don't have Fibromyalgia!

6. Incorporate other forms of natural health care into your lifestyle:  Acupuncture, CranioSacral Therapy, and Total Body Modification are other techniques that I use in addition to Chiropractic that have DRAMATICALLY improved the results I've had with Fibromyalgia.  Also consider getting massage or taking a yoga class. I also recommend incorporating exercise into your routine at least 30 minutes 4 to 5 days a week (please get clearance from your Doctor before starting any exercise program).

7. Create a support system (family, friends, work colleagues, neighbors, etc.) that will help you when you have a bad day, or listen when you need them.  Many Fibromyalgia patients have been through, or are currently experiencing, an extremely stressful period in their lives.  Feeling supported and loved can make a whole world of difference!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me!  Better health is only a phone call away!

Dr. Kristine Baker