Fibromyalgia is a tough diagnosis for any person, but it can be particularly difficult for a child to deal with. A young person may not completely understand why he is dealing with chronic pain, and that is understandable since most doctors are baffled by this condition. Plus, kids at school can be rough on a classmate who is facing a health problem, particularly one they may have heard their parents saying is “all in a person’s head.”
The fact is that fibromyalgia is a real condition that afflicts millions of Americans, some of them children. Here are a few things that may be able to help your child navigate this difficult condition during the school year.
- Find a safe place – If an ill child gets overwhelmed at school, he or she needs a place to retreat to for a break. Whether that is the nurse’s office or somewhere else, make sure teachers understand what is going on and why your child may need more breaks than another student.
- Set a good schedule – School officials should be able to work with you to ensure that your child has a manageable schedule during the day. Keeping PE at the right time of day and making sure the teacher knows each student’s limitations can go a long way.
- Keep after school conversations positive – Instead of asking your child how his or her pain levels were today, focus on positive things that happened that day. Ask about your child’s favorite class or about friendships rather than making the health condition the main focus of school conversations.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care for Fibromyalgia
While fibromyalgia care often focuses on pain management, upper cervical chiropractic offers long-term benefits. Fibromyalgia symptoms are frequently the result of a misaligned atlas (C1 vertebrae) putting pressure on the brainstem. Such a misalignment can be present in children, especially one who is very physically active and may have experienced numerous falls on the playground, while riding a bike, or climbing trees. A consultation and examination will give you a better idea of the benefits that your child may derive from this natural and gentle form of care.
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