Fibromyalgia Holistic Care; Antioxidants; Perfect Spaghetti Squash

Health Tip:

Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries contain plant nutrients known as anthocyanidins, which are powerful antioxidants. Blueberries rival grapes in concentrations of resveratrol – the antioxidant compound found in red wine that has assumed near mythological proportions. Resveratrol is believed to help protect against heart disease and cancer.

Monthly Article:

Fibromyalgia Holistic Care

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a very challenging condition to both diagnose and treat since there are different clinical signs and symptoms that make each patient with FM unique. Therefore, we usually make the diagnosis by excluding other possibilities. To make matters even more challenging, there are “primary” and “secondary” types of FM, or those who develop FM for no know reason (primary) vs. those whose FM arises from a known condition (secondary). Because of these challenges, there is no single treatment program to apply to all struggling FM patients. Rather, studies often suggest that a multidisciplinary “team” of health care providers be utilized in the management of patients with FM. It is recommended that EACH FM patient have their needs be uniquely treated. This month, we will look a “multimodal” approach to treating FM that incorporates a “team” approach.

For those less familiar with FM, many patients with this condition have symptoms that include fatigue, “all over” body pain, sleep problems, mood symptoms, and chronic pain. They may also have conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, palpitations, thyroid dysfunction, adrenal dysfunction, gastroenterological symptoms, chronic headaches, and MANY others. Dealing with these and other FM symptoms can have a tremendous negative impact on one’s quality of life and activities of daily living.   So as previously stated, the treatment of FM requires a comprehensive approach where the patient’s individual symptoms are targeted, as there is no “cookie cutter / one size fits all” management approach. Effective management approaches include chiropractic, allopathic, acupuncture, soft tissue therapy, sleep hygiene counseling, nutritional counseling, mind-body therapy, and dietary counseling including nutritional supplementation that target specific deficiencies determined by lab/blood tests and/or are based on the clinical history.

Treatment is centered on the human body’s deficiencies with the most important being the removal of any and all “trigger(s)” that causes inflammation in the body. Use of an anti-inflammatory herb such as ginger, turmeric, boswellia, (and others) can help until the causes are identified. A gluten-free diet is often very successful in reducing the autoimmune reaction that occurs with gluten sensitivity, which is estimated to be as high as 80% of the general population. This is NOT to be confused with gluten intolerance or celiac disease (they affect 7-10% of the general population). Once inflammation is controlled, weaning away of the anti-inflammatory supplements can be done successfully.

The hormonal levels of the body must also be in balance, especially the thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormone levels. Lab tests should include a complete thyroid panel (TSH, T3, T4, T7/free thyroxin), a salivary cortisol test (for adrenal function), and sex hormone levels (DHEA, pregnenolone, progesterone, estradiol, and, free and total testosterone). Assess and eliminate food sensitivities/allergies (gluten and dairy are most common). Nutritional supplementation should include vitamins (a multiple, omega 3 fatty acids, Vitamin D3, and Co-enzyme Q-10; minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium), amino acids and sometimes others (case dependent)). These keep our organs functioning well, like a finely tuned machine! Care must also be taken not to over-dose as well, so let us guide you in this process – consider chiropractic your “coach” in this team-based approach!

If you, a friend or family member requires care for Fibromyalgia, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services!

Content Courtesy of Chiro-Trust.org. All Rights Reserved.

Recipe of the Month:

Perfect Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash is a great veggie to replace pasta as a base to…well, anything you’d put over pasta!  The challenge to me was cutting and cooking it.  Spaghetti squash is thick and, even with a very sharp knife, is hard to cut raw.  I was delighted to find a way to cook it that allows me to cook it while I’m not at home AND I don’t risk cutting my fingers off (I like my fingers right where they are).  The secret?  A crockpot!

1.      Remove any grocery sticker and wash the outside of the spaghetti squash.

2.      Pierce squash 3-5 times with a sharp knife.  Be sure to put it in deep enough so you know it is going all the way through the flesh to the cavity inside.  Rinse squash and leave wet.

3.      Place wet squash in crockpot and cook on high for 4 hours (cooking time may vary depending on your crockpot).

4.      Remove squash using pot holders and cut in half on cutting board.

5.      Scoop out seeds and strings and discard.

6.      With a fork, gently peel the spaghetti-like layers away from the shell.

Serve with anything you would serve with pasta.

Upcoming Activities and Announcements:

• Closed the week of July 4.  We pray you have a safe and healthy holiday!

• Roots to Health talk:  Please sign up at the front desk.  Bring a friend and write a question!  This is a casual time to learn about the real Roots to Health!

-Tuesday July 8 at 6:15

-Saturday July 19 at 10 am

• YouTube!  Dr. Smith is making more of an appearance on YouTube.  She will have some of the really common tips she has told to patients over the years as a way of getting that information out to more people.  You can use these videos to increase your knowledge if you have not heard this information and share to others as well.  She uploads a new video on Tuesdays at 10am!

Are you happy with your care and progress? Please tell others!  We love getting online reviews to spread the word.  Not happy?  Please tell us so we can fix it!