Fibromyalgia in children is rare but can cause serious problems. What can you do as a parent to help your son or daughter to cope with this condition? Here are a few suggestions.
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Combating Fibromyalgia in Children
Some challenges that a young one will face are common to anyone who has fibromyalgia or another chronic illness. Others are unique to those in school. Here are a few recommendations:
- A Good Schedule – By communicating with the school it may be possible to arrange a schedule for your child that meets his or her physical limitations.
- A Safe Hideaway – Determine in advance what your child will do during the school day if things get overwhelming. A 5 to 10-minute break may make the difference between being able to handle the rest of the day or needing to get picked up early. An understanding school nurse can be a big help.
- Keep Conversations Positive – Instead of making school conversations about pain levels, focus on good things that happened during the day. This can help your child to be more positive about school.
- Low-Impact Exercise – Swimming can be particularly helpful for those dealing with chronic pain. The school may be able to arrange for alternate PE activities for someone with a diagnosed condition.
- Prepare for Bullying – An unfortunate fact of life is that someone who is different may face bullying at school. Help your child to know in advance how to respond, including the fact that it is okay to tell a teacher what is going on. Having a plan of action in advance can make bullying easier to deal with.
How Upper Cervical Care May Help
When the top bones of the neck (C1 and C2) are out of alignment, they may put pressure on the brainstem and affect communication of pain signals in the body. This can lead to some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia in children. Many patients find that pain levels decrease once a misalignment has been corrected. If you or a loved are dealing with the pain of fibromyalgia, a consultation with an upper cervical chiropractor may be your first step to a higher quality of life.
To schedule a consultation with Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego, call 858-434-5926 or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
