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Most of us know that smoking causes both lung cancer and a variety of cardiovascular diseases.   In addition to these life threatening diseases, smoking has been proven to be a risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis.  There have been many clinical studies to establish the connection between this chronic autoimmune disorder and smoking.

It is not known why smoking increases the risk of rheumatoid arthritis or why smoking effects treatments prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Rheumatoid Factor in Smokers

The Journal of Rheumatology published a report in its March, 2000 issue regarding the effect of smoking in rheumatoid arthritis patients.  The effects of smoking were studied on the clinical, radiographic and laboratory fronts in the patients.

The effects of smoking can be objectively studied provided the rheumatoid factor in these patients was studied separately.  The rheumatoid factor would definitely have to be more in smokers and less in non-smokers to prove that smoking is a major risk factor of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives of studies linking smoking and patients with rheumatoid factor

~ To determine elevated rheumatoid factor levels in smokers
~ And to determine the quantitative effect of smoking

A study was made up of 640 rheumatoid arthritis patients that were both male and female.  Half of these patients were current or past smokers.

The study found that rheumatoid arthritis patients that were smokers and even those that had smoked in the past had a higher rheumatoid factor than did non-smokers.

Also, the rheumatoid factor was found to be higher the longer the patients had smoked.

These elevated rheumatoid factor levels were increasing or elevated irrespective of the gender.

Thus, smoking definitely proves to have a negative impact on rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Studies prove that cigarette smoking both increases the severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and decreases the effectiveness of fibromyalgia treatment

Despite the progress that medical research has made in diagnosing and treating fibromyalgia, the cause of fibromyalgia is still not known.  There are many factors that may be involved… genetic predisposition, spinal injury, infection, or prolonged stress.  It is believed that a higher level of a certain nerve chemical agents & particular nerve growth factors occur in the spine with fibromyalgia patients.  This could explain the high levels of pain sensation that occur with fibromyalgia.

A few facts about Fibromyalgia
~ Females are more susceptible to fibromyalgia
~ 20% of people with neck injuries develop fibromyalgia
~ Approximately 1 in 50 Americans suffer from fibromyalgia

Most types of fibromyalgia treatment focus on either improving sleep or managing pain.  Although a cure for fibromyalgia is not available, there are several treatment options for fibromyalgia patients and each of these have provided relief over time.

Some forms of treatment are prescribed drugs…

Most are about lifestyle changes and alternative treatments…

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist will design a customized stretching/strengthening program to improve function and reduce inflammation.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors perform treatments that are non-invasive and help the body heal naturally.  Chiropractic care reduces adhesions and/or scar tissue caused by the chronic inflammation and tight muscles that occur with fibromyalgia.  This treatment improves movement of stiff joints and out of position vertebrae.  Chiropractic care can bring about long-lasting pain relief, a reduction in muscle spasms & pain, increased flexibility.

Massage Therapy

A massage therapist focuses increasing blood supply to muscles, tendons and ligaments.  This is a very effective fibromyalgia treatment because it alleviates pain and swelling that comes with fibromyalgia.

Medications

Many medications that reduce inflammation and improve sleep are available.  Some over the counter medications are as readily available as Ibuprofen.

Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 6 to 10 million people in the U.S.  The majority of sufferers are adult women but men and children also suffer from this disorder.  People suffering from fibromyalgia experience symptoms of widespread muscle aches and pains, joint stiffness, chronic fatigue, depression, and sleeplessness.

In recent years, new medications have been developed to treat patients with fibromyalgia.  Yet, many patients find that the drugs only mask the pain and symptoms and commonly produce unwanted side effects.

Chiropractic treatment is an excellent drug-free fibromyalgia treatment that helps with the root of the pain with no adverse side effects.

Chiropractic care is an all-natural, holistic way of treating fibromyalgia.

Chiropractors are trained to address the biomechanics of the body as a whole.  Therefore, they are well suited to treat fibromyalgia since it is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder.

Patients being treating by a chiropractor for fibromyalgia receive hands-on therapies, individualized nutritional counseling and specialized exercise programs as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Spinal alignments, either manual or low force techniques, improve joint motion and reduce body pain.  Heat and ice therapy, electric stimulation, ultrasound, acupuncture and massage are also a part of treatment.

Exercise and Good Nutrition

Gentle exercise programs help strengthen the muscles and keep the joints mobile.  And nutritional counseling educates fibromyalgia patients on specific foods and supplements that they should avoid.

The cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown and this makes diagnosis difficult.  As fibromyalgia awareness and understanding grows, support for effective ways to manage the disorder and to support those with the disorder also grows.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia or know someone who does, consider contacting your local chiropractor to find out what chiropractic care they can provide to manage the symptoms.

A chiropractor can help you overcome your aches, pains and also those feelings of constant fatigue caused by fibromyalgia.

A chiropractor can help you regain your quality of life…