Fibromyalgia Treatment Specialist
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Stephen P. Gibert, MD
Pain Medicine Physician & Addiction Medicine located in West Ashley, Charleston, SC
It’s no secret that fibromyalgia sufferers feel let down by the lack of effective treatments available to them. Stephen Gibert, MD, understands your frustration, which is why he uses innovative, evidence-based treatments to relieve your widespread fibromyalgia pain at his office in the West Ashley area of Charleston, South Carolina. As a pain management specialist, Dr. Gibert determines the root cause of your pain to find the right treatment for you. Call Stephen Gibert, MD, or book an appointment online today to learn more.
Fibromyalgia Treatment Q & A
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain in your muscles, bones, and joints.
While this painful condition is not fully understood by health care experts, physicians believe it occurs due to problems with the way pain signals are processed in your brain and spinal cord.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia patients experience constant pain all over. Some of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Muscles aches
- Chronic fatigue
- Brain fog
- Trouble concentrating
- Insomnia
- Burning or twitching muscles
- Joint pain
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Headaches
In some instances, fibromyalgia can even lead to abdominal pain, bloating, or constipation.
What causes fibromyalgia?
While the exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, certain risk factors can increase your chances of developing the condition:
- Chronic insomnia
- Viral illness
- Arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Anxiety or depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Your risk of developing fibromyalgia is also higher if somebody in your family also has the condition, and it is twice as common in women as men.
How do doctors treat fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia sufferers often experience frustration at the lack of treatment options for their pain. While many physicians prescribe medications to mask the symptoms, these treatments don’t address the root cause of the condition and can lead to uncomfortable symptoms, such as weight gain and brain fog.
That’s why Dr. Gibert takes a holistic approach to fibromyalgia treatment. Some of the most effective treatments he offers at his office include:
Lidocaine infusion
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that is used for many medical and dental procedures, but LIDOCAINE INFUSION,in contrast, is a different approach in which lidocaine is infused directly into the bloodstream. The lidocaine thus reaches the central nervous system, that is, the brain and spinal cord, and modulates the processing of pain signals. Lidocaine used for nerve blocks wears off after a few hours. When lidocaine is infused, for reasons not fully understood it has long term effects, usually giving pain relief lasting three to six weeks, after which time it can be repeated. It has no lasting side effects and most people find the process very pleasant. It is extremely safe when done by a physician with experience and training, such as Dr. Gibert.
Diet modifications
Fibromyalgia can deplete your energy levels. To reduce inflammation and boost your energy levels, Dr. Gibert recommends following a diet low in sugar and simple carbohydrates, and low dose foods that provide sustainable energy, such as broccoli, lean protein, and leafy greens.
Lifestyle changes
Exercise can naturally boost your energy levels to improve focus and fight brain fog. Regular exercise has been shown to be very effective in improving fibromyalgia symptoms and improving sleep. It should be understood that overdoing it can be as bad as being too sedentary, and the right approach to exercise is important.
To learn more, call Stephen Gibert, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.
