How Can Functional Medicine Help With Fibromyalgia?

People suffering from fibromyalgia appear to have increased levels of a brain chemical called ‘substance P’, which heightens the sensitivity of their nerves to pain. This means stimuli not normally causing discomfort feel extremely painful.

At the same time, sufferers have low levels of the hormones serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in their brains. These hormones regulate mood, motivation and sleep and are responsible for regulating pain perception.

There is no one single cause of fibromyalgia, but it is often connected with:

• Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance of the bacteria living in your digestive system. Many people affected by fibromyalgia also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. Some bacteria and fungi taking up residence in the digestive system produce and release toxic substances which can be toxic to nerves, causing pain.
• Poor energy production by the mitochondria in your smooth muscle cells. This can occur because of increased production of free radicals from oxidative stress.
• Food sensitivities, especially to gluten grains.
• Thyroid issues. Studies have found a link between fibromyalgia and disorders of the immune system resulting in the body attacking the thyroid gland. Antibodies produced against your thyroid aren’t always picked up by conventional thyroid tests.
• Nutrient deficiencies such as magnesium, Vitamin D and B12. Supplementing Vitamin D has been found in research to decrease muscle pain and fatigue.
• SIBO and leaky gut can not only reduce nutrient absorption but also lead to other toxic substances, which should remain in the gut, being absorbed into your body, potentially causing pain.
• Adrenal fatigue from long term stress. Your adrenal glands regulate your response to stress, and if they’re constantly on red alert, they will continually pump out the stress hormone cortisol. Fibromyalgia is often triggered by a stressful life event.
• You may be sensitive to substances called mycotoxins produced by moulds, sparking off inflammatory reactions in your body.
• Toxic metals like mercury, lead and cadmium deplete brain chemicals involved in reducing pain sensations. You may be genetically less able to remove these toxins effectively from your body, and you’ll need extra nutrients such as vitamin B6 and B12 and glutathione to allow your detoxification pathways to work properly.
• Latent viral infections, not producing overt symptoms, have been linked to fibromyalgia and can cause problems in your nervous system.