It is probably hard to believe that Fibromyalgia can be resolved - dare I say ‘cured’ - without medications. Especially so, if that Fibromyalgia diagnosis came from Mayo Clinic specialists. Surely, they are the final word, right? Is it possible that they are NOT the final answer?
Deana was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 13 years ago in her 30’s. She had debilitating fatigue, constant headaches, generalized tenderness all over the body. Her right hand had a tremor that no one could find a reason for it. MRI and other tests were done to diagnose the cause. She went to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for a detailed work up.
At Mayo, she was seen by specialists in Neurology, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology, Opthalmology, physical medicine and Fibromyalgia. Their Fibromyalgia specialist diagnosed her as suffering with Fibromyalgia. Bob and Deana attended two day long ‘clinic’ that educated them on coping with FM for the rest of her life. She was also prescribed medications to ‘manage’ her FM. One of the side effects of the medicine affected her gall bladder which needed to be surgically removed.
Deana was helping with the family business and being a home maker raising three children. It took sheer will power to get through her days. She said that it felt like driving a car that had one foot on the brake the whole time. It was just a drag to get through the day.
It was only through chance – or divine plan according to her - she came to our office for a second opinion on a dental implant problem. She had absolutely accepted that she will live with FM the rest of her life. When I casually mentioned about my observations of her jaw alignment problem and how that can result in whole body musculo-skeletal problems such as Fibromyalgia, Deana reacted like a drowning person reaching for a ring buoy tossed to her.
Following a through neuromuscular testing with advanced protocols, we delivered a lower jaw fixed orthotic 6 weeks ago. It is only a trial change of her jaw / neck alignment to see if it is helpful in improving her conditions at all. The upper jaw has not been changed and so the orthotic has to fit against that. Yet, the change was dramatic.
After 90 days of this orthotic, they may choose to have me further improve the jaw alignment and stabilize for long term. This may be through moving the teeth orthodontically and possibly adding bonded porcelain restorations. Stabilizing options are up to Deana and Bob to choose. My role is to educate them of the options and have the expertise to provide those options.
Helping nice people like Deana and Bob reclaim their lives is the most rewarding part of practicing advanced Neuromuscular dentistry.
Tags: constant headaches, corrected without medications, Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, hand tremors, Mayo Clinic diagnosis, muscle spasm, neck pain, ringing in the ear, tender points throughout body, tingling and numbness down the arm, tinnitus