Research Shows: Decreased Blood Flow and Oxygenation In Brains With Fibromyalgia

Research shows that patients with fibromyalgia have decreased blood flow to areas of the brain associated with memory, relaying sensation, special sense and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, along with the regulation of consciousness, sleep and alertness.1,2,3,4,5  Nerves need blood flow to survive.  Blood delivers oxygen, glucose, and vital nutrients for nerve health to your brain. Without adequate delivery of these nutrients to your brain, I think it is obvious that there will be some problems with the functions controlled by these areas (Pons, Tegmentum, Thalamus, Caudate Nucleus, and Cerebral Cortex).  This deficiency could likely be a contributing factor in fibro-fog, and autonomic dysregulation that causes many of the symptoms in fibromyalgia.

In our clinic, we acknowledge these changes and deficencies in blood flow to the brain, and the resultant decrease in nutrient delivery.  We use specific therapies like oxygen, with the goal of increasing and normalizing nutrient delivery to the brain tissues.  There are several therapies we use to assist in treating and improving symptoms associated with defiency in nutrient delivery to the brain.

Visit my fibromyalgia treatment overview post , for more information on my unique approach to the treatment of fibromyalgia.

If you have fibromyalgia our treatment may be able to help you.  Dr. Shook is available for complimentary phone consultations to see if you could benefit from our care.  If you would like to schedule an appointment or if you have any questions, just give us a call at (828) 324-0800, or email Dr. Shook at drshook@alliancechiropracticcenter.com.  You can also visit us at www.ncfibroclinic.com.

1. Mountz JM, Bradley LA, Alarcón GS.  Abnormal functional activity of the central nervous system in fibromyalgia syndrome.  Am J Med Sci. 1998 Jun;315(6):385-96.
2. Mountz JM, Bradley LA, Modell JG, Alexander RW, Triana-Alexander M, Aaron LA, Stewart KE, Alarcón GS, Mountz JD.  Fibromyalgia in women. Abnormalities of regional cerebral blood flow in the thalamus and the caudate nucleus are associated with low pain threshold levels. Arthritis Rheum. 1995 Jul;38(7):926-38.
3. Kwiatek R, Barnden L, Tedman R, Jarrett R, Chew J, Rowe C, Pile K.  Regional cerebral blood flow in fibromyalgia: single-photon-emission computed tomography evidence of reduction in the pontine tegmentum and thalami. Arthritis Rheum. 2000 Dec;43(12):2823-33.
4. Gur A, Karakoc M, Erdogan S, Nas K, Cevik R, Sarac AJ.  Regional cerebral blood flow and cytokines in young females with fibromyalgia. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2002 Nov-Dec;20(6):753-60.
5. Lowe, J. 2000. The Metabolic Treatment of Fibromyalgia. Boulder, CO: McDowell Publishing Company.

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