Chronic fatigue syndrome saps people of their energy and causes them to miss out on many important events in their life. More than likely, you know someone who is suffering from this debilitating disease as it seems to be gaining more and more victims. Most of those suffering just want answers to help them cope. However, the exact cause has not yet been agreed upon, leaving patients with very little information and care options. Another term used for chronic fatigue syndrome is myalgic encephalomyelitis. What does this mean, and is there help available?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Let’s break down what myalgic encephalomyelitis means:
- Myalgia means pain, which is why it is included in the name of the painful condition fibromyalgia.
- Encephalo refers to something to do with the brain.
- Myelitis has to do with swelling or inflammation of the spinal cord.
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Putting this information all together, it helps us to understand that myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome has to do with inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, resulting in pain and exhaustion. Why this happens is not entirely understood, but what is agreed upon by most researchers is that it is connected to a malfunction of the brain in response to an infection or a virus.
How the Spine Plays a Role in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Since the brain is not responding correctly to signals being sent via the brainstem, it may lead us to conclude that the signals may be the problem. If the immune system and the central nervous system are not communicating properly, we must find out what is hindering them. One thing that has been linked to this problem is a misalignment of the bones of the upper cervical spine, particularly the C1 and C2 vertebrae. If these bones are misaligned by as little as ¼ of a millimeter, they can put stress on the brainstem located in the same area of the neck.
Here at Pancake Wellness Center in Kissimmee, Florida, we use a gentle method to help the bones realign. Once corrected, chronic fatigue syndrome often improves or goes away entirely.
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If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.