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How We Treat Fibromyalgia At Severn Clinics
Our service is for people who want to be truly free from chronic pain & injuries. This involves healing the real causes of pain and injury susceptibility, deep in the body and nervous system. It also means moving beyond outdated ‘symptom based’ approaches to pain.
We combine cutting edge technology, hands on methods, tailored rehab programs and stress management. This enables us to manage everything from fresh ankle sprains; to the chronic pains associated with conditions like osteoarthritis, disc bulges and PTSD.
We provide transformative healthcare in a welcoming and friendly environment. For us, genuine care and authentic communication are not bonus features. They are healthcare fundamentals.
Our 3 Step Treatment Process
Successful management and relief of stubborn back pain can be surprisingly straight forward. Yet in other instances a systematic, focused, and persistent approach may be required to get your back pain under control.
We specialise in providing flexible ‘multidisciplinary’ pain relief – using a wide range of tools and techniques. This ensures we have the best possible chance to help everyone: from the most easy straightforward cases right through to the most treatment resistant forms of back pain.
Step One
Find The Cause
Step Two
Hands On Pain Relief
Step Three
Rehabilitation And Prevention
Step One - Find the Cause
Getting to the bottom of your back pain means finding out where exactly the pain is coming from – and exactly what is causing it.
Back pain can come from muscle, tendons, discs, joints, ligaments, nerves, bones, fascia (connective tissue) or even an internal organ. Establishing clearly which tissue is creating the pain is the first step towards relief. But we don’t stop there because we want to know WHY you are suffering.
Some back pains are caused by damaged or degenerated tissue. Some back pains are caused by weakness deep in the core and hip. Some back pains are caused by psychological stress. Some back pains are caused by scar tissue from old injuries. Some back pains are caused by the nature of a person’s job. Some back pains can even be caused by having flat feet or a rotated pelvis.
Finding out why you have back pain is essential if you want longer term relief from pain. Which is why we place great importance on this step. We have a wide range of technologies and tests at our disposal, in order to identify the source of back pain. If you need an X Ray or MRI to diagnose your pain we’ll organise a referral for the relevant imaging for you on the spot.
Step Two - Hands On Pain Relief
In most cases of back pain, it’s necessary to work with a team who combine a variety of technologies and hands-on methods to ease your back pain. So that’s exactly what we do.
Most people who require treatment for stubborn back pain don’t respond particularly well to just being given home exercises. Much in the same way that most people with toothache don’t respond too well to just being sent home with some dental floss. When toothache is bad you need a filling, when back pain is bad you need treatments and technologies that ease your pain.
If you have chronic back pain you almost certainly need hands on treatments with professionals who are trained to physically relieve pain. We use some of the most advanced pain technology available anywhere, combined with a wide range of skill based manual techniques.
Step Three - Rehabilitation And Prevention
Successful prevention of back pain in the longer term often requires more than just the right ‘treatments’.
For many patients, back pain treatments that bring some blessed relief are often just the start point. Core exercises, custom orthotics, glute strengthening, stress management, postural correction, lifestyle tweaks, workstation tweaks and even dietary tweaks are often necessary. Muscle weakness deep in the core is often thekey issue.
Most cases of back pain are either caused by something that we are doing wrong or something that the body needs help with like core strength or alignment. Making necessary adjustments to your lifestyle and the wellbeing of your body may be necessary for longer term success. Coaching for these important changes in those who wish to make them is a part of what we do
Treatments And Technologies We Use To Treat Fibromyalgia
Living with fibromyalgia presents unique challenges, but rest assured, effective treatment options are available to help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. At our clinic, we offer a comprehensive range of therapies tailored to address the multifaceted nature of fibromyalgia.
Includes specialized techniques for releasing fascia and trigger points, it plays a crucial role in our comprehensive approach to managing fibromyalgia. Fascia, the body’s fibrous connective tissue, is highly susceptible to developing adhesions, which can exacerbate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Manual release therapy aims to alleviate muscle tension, reduce pain, and improve overall mobility by targeting adhesions through gentle manipulation and stretching techniques. Our experienced practitioners employ a variety of methods tailored to each patient’s individual needs, providing personalized care to help individuals with fibromyalgia find relief and enhance their quality of life.
Cupping therapy is another valuable tool in our treatment arsenal for fibromyalgia. By employing suction cups to create negative pressure on the skin, cupping promotes blood flow, reduces inflammation, and relieves muscle tension. This ancient therapeutic technique is particularly adept at pulling out inflammation and congestion from deep within tissues, providing tangible relief from localized pain and stiffness. Through cupping therapy, we strive to facilitate relaxation, improve mobility, and enhance your overall sense of well-being.
Cupping therapy can have an extremely profound impact on fibromyalgia symptoms. So much so that many patients report it to be somewhat of a game changer. It is a sad fact that few fibromyalgia sufferers get a chance to experience the effects of cupping delivered by highly trained professionals.
Low-level laser therapy is a cutting-edge approach to fibromyalgia management, harnessing the power of specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation. Unlike other forms of laser therapy, LLLT operates on a non-thermal basis, exerting a photochemical effect on the targeted tissues. By increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production within the mitochondria of cells, LLLT promotes cellular metabolism, tissue regeneration, and pain relief.
LLLT is particularly useful for fibromyalgia sufferers whose bodies react strongly to hands-on treatment styles. We are often able to reduce people’s pain in a way that makes them more tolerant of hands-on treatment using LLLT.
At our clinic, we offer a comprehensive approach to managing fibromyalgia, which includes another innovative technique, such as brainwave entrainment using LED technology. Brainwave entrainment involves synchronizing brainwave frequencies to induce specific mental states conducive to relaxation, stress reduction, and pain management. With LED brainwave entrainment, gentle pulsating lights are utilized to guide the brain into desired states, promoting relaxation and alleviating symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. This non-invasive technique can help individuals achieve a deeper state of relaxation, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall well-being.
Many cases of fibromyalgia are impacted by ‘build-ups’ of stress. In these cases, brainwave entrainment can bring significant relief from symptoms.
Dry needling is a specialized treatment technique involving the insertion of thin needles into specific trigger points in the body to alleviate pain and improve muscle function. While akin to acupuncture, dry needling uniquely targets muscle tension and facilitates healing in localized areas. In the context of fibromyalgia, dry needling aims to address tender points and release muscle tightness, thereby alleviating pain and enhancing mobility. Our skilled practitioners adopt a personalized approach to dry needling, tailoring each session to meet the individual needs of those with fibromyalgia.
Shockwave therapy is a dynamic treatment option for fibromyalgia that harnesses the power of acoustic waves to stimulate tissue repair and reduce pain. In addition to targeting pain receptors and promoting the release of endorphins, shockwave therapy can effectively break down scar tissue, facilitating the healing process and restoring optimal function to affected areas. This non-invasive therapy offers a safe and effective alternative for individuals seeking relief from fibromyalgia symptoms, promoting improved mobility and function.
Our rehabilitation program is comprehensive and tailored to address the specific needs of each individual. We begin by identifying lifestyle factors that may contribute to symptoms and implementing strategies to alleviate strain on the body. Our program includes targeted core strengthening exercises to improve function and reduce pain. Additionally, we conduct foot assessments to correct any issues that may exacerbate symptoms and provide postural exercises and correction tools to relieve discomfort and promote proper alignment. By addressing muscle imbalances and promoting overall body awareness, our rehabilitation program aims to enhance mobility and improve the quality of life for individuals with fibromyalgia.
While our clinic does not prescribe medications, it’s important to acknowledge the role medications can play in managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Medications prescribed by healthcare providers may include pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or prescription-strength NSAIDs, to help alleviate muscle pain and discomfort. Antidepressants, such as duloxetine or milnacipran, may also be prescribed to address both pain and mood disturbances commonly associated with fibromyalgia. Additionally, anti-seizure medications like gabapentin or pregabalin can help reduce nerve-related pain and improve sleep quality in some individuals.
Healing is often as much about getting the basics of health right as it is about fancy treatments. A balanced diet rich in essential nutrients supports overall health and well-being in individuals with fibromyalgia. Additionally, certain supplements such as magnesium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids may provide symptom relief, complementing holistic fibromyalgia management.
What we don’t eat can have even more effect than the healthy things we do eat. Our modern diets are crammed full of things that we were not designed to subsist on. Many fibromyalgia sufferers report dramatic improvements in their quality of life when they quit gluten. And those few who have the courage to quit sugar often report this step to be utterly life-changing.
At our clinic, we have access to a range of excellent practitioner supplements. We are happy to give pep talks rooted in a good knowledge of the basics. Yet if you are looking for a deep dive into this realm, it could be worth talking to a good nutritionist or naturopath.
Focusing on quality sleep by maintaining consistent bedtime habits, optimizing your sleep environment for comfort, and minimizing stimulants before sleep is crucial for effectively managing fibromyalgia symptoms and enhancing overall well-being. By implementing these sleep hygiene practices, individuals can promote restful sleep, alleviate discomfort associated with fibromyalgia, and improve their overall quality of life.
More and more research is revealing that sleep is even more important for our health than we thought it was. Poor sleep can impact everything from weight loss to digestion and pain conditions. Whatever effort is involved in improving sleep will most likely be worth it. Many fibromyalgia sufferers find that the other treatment approaches on this list have the greatest impact on their sleep, as opposed to the efforts targeted at sleep itself. When we have less pain, we sleep better.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a valuable tool for treating fibromyalgia by focusing on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, developing coping strategies, and improving overall well-being. In addition to addressing negative thought patterns and behaviors, CBT for fibromyalgia often involves education about the condition, relaxation techniques, stress management strategies, and pacing activities to prevent symptom flare-ups. Through CBT, individuals can empower themselves to take control of their health and cultivate resilience in the face of fibromyalgia, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.
A great many people with fibromyalgia have unresolved early life stresses and traumas. Researchers call these Adverse Life Experiences, and chronic pain sufferers tend to have far more of these than non-pain sufferers. If you know that you have unresolved trauma or unprocessed periods of stress in your past, EMDR Therapy is an excellent way to process these in a way that they cease to be ‘stored up’ in the body. Many fibromyalgia sufferers find that this approach can be very transformative.
Biofeedback stands as a valuable therapeutic modality in the comprehensive management of fibromyalgia, offering individuals a proactive approach to symptom management and improved well-being. This innovative technique empowers individuals by teaching them how to regulate physiological processes like muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure through real-time feedback mechanisms. By gaining greater awareness and control over these bodily functions, individuals can cultivate relaxation responses, effectively reducing stress levels and alleviating chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia. Moreover, biofeedback fosters a deeper understanding of mind-body connections, equipping individuals with lifelong skills to manage their symptoms and enhance their quality of life.
Our 5 Pain Treatment Fundamentals
Hands On Treatments
We are in the business of helping you get out of pain. The heart of our clinical process is a committed and very hands on approach to getting you out of pain as quickly, painlessly and safely as possible. We are willing to use a wide range of tools and also to work tirelessly in our efforts to get you out of pain.
Flexible Treatment Approach
Even among professionals there is little agreement on the best ways to treat pain. If there is one thing that we know for certain about pain management though, it’s that a flexible multidisciplinary treatment approach to back pain is best. This is why we take such great care to provide the most diverse range of pain relief tools possible under one roof.
Get To The Bottom Of It
The human body seldom if ever generates pain for no reason. Pain is a highly organised and intelligent form of feedback that we have evolved over millions of years. In other words if you have pain it will be for a good reason. We always strive to find the deepest possible explanation for your pain so that you have the best possible chance of preventing it in the longer term.
Excellent Communication
Unlike a one-off filling at the dentist, successfully managing back pain is a process. A process that often requires commitment, trust and clear communication. We believe that clear and open communication combined with genuine rapport are fundamental within our arsenal of pain management tools.
Assume Nothing
Just because a treatment has worked for us a thousand times before; doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed to work on you! Pain management is not a ‘1 size fits all’ moment in life. We monitor our patients’ response to treatment very closely. This approach enables us to make agile treatment protocols that can be altered in real time should we find that you aren’t responding to the methods that we expect to work for you.