An Investigation of the Association between 3D Spinal Alignment and Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common condition lacking strong diagnostic criteria; these criteria continue to evolve as more and more studies are performed to explore it. This investigation sought to identify whether participants with FMS have more frequent and larger postural/spinal displacements in comparison to a matched control group without the condition of FMS. A total of 67 adults (55 females) out of 380 participants with FMS were recruited. Participants with FMS were sex- and age-matched with 67 asymptomatic participants (controls) without FMS. We used a three-dimensional (3D) postural assessment device (Formetric system) to analyze five posture variables in each participant in both groups: (1) thoracic kyphotic angle, (2) trunk imbalance, (3) trunk inclination, (4) lumbar lordotic angle, and (5) vertebral rotation. In order to determine whether 3D postural measures could predict the likelihood of a participant having FMS, we applied the matched-pairs binary logistic regression analysis. The 3D posture measures identified statistically and clinically significant differences between the FMS and control groups for each of the five posture variables measured (p < 0.001). For three out of five posture measurements assessed, the binary logistic regression identified there was an increased probability of having FMS with an increased: (1) thoracic kyphotic angle proportional odds ratio [Prop OR] = 1.76 (95% CI = 1.03, 3.02); (2) sagittal imbalance Prop OR = 1.54 (95% CI = 0.973, 2.459); and (3) surface rotation Prop OR = 7.9 (95% CI = 1.494, 41.97). We identified no significant probability of having FMS for the following two postural measurements: (1) coronal balance (p = 0.50) and (2) lumbar lordotic angle (p = 0.10). Our study’s findings suggest there is a strong relationship between 3D spinal misalignment and the diagnosis of FMS. In fact, our results support that thoracic kyphotic angle, sagittal imbalance, and surface rotation are predictors of having FMS.

Chronic Widespread Spinal Pain (CWSP) Alleviated With Chiropractic Biophysics®: A Case Report With Three-Year Follow-Up

“…The treatment protocols have previously been published in the medical literature and chronic pain conditions have had successive and positive clinical outcomes in short-and long-term studies from single cases to large RCTs. A multi-modal approach to improving spine alignment, abnormal coronal and sagittal balance and posture, as well as improved HRQoLs with CBP® methods has been demonstrated across multiple conditions [8][9][10][29][30][31][32][33][34]. Initial CBP® case studies found that the multiple treatment approach may have been a limitation to the study conclusions.…”

“…Initial CBP® case studies found that the multiple treatment approach may have been a limitation to the study conclusions. Recently, growing reports demonstrate that this approach to improving postural muscles, postural non-contractile tissues like disc and ligament, via MI® traction, as well as postural SMT is a repeatable and reliable approach for spine and some extra-spinal conditions [8][9][10][29][30][31][32][33][34]. CWSP and CLBP is such a burden that having the potential of the safe, efficacious, and repeatable methods of CBP® to reduce GBD is desirable for astute clinicians who treat spine pain and extremely beneficial with low potential for poor outcomes for the patient [35,36].…”

Talking about diseases; developing a model of patient and public-prioritised disease phenotypes

“…In addition, patients have a higher rate of perceived exertion with the 6 minute walking test [24]. Although abnormalities in individual vertebrae morphology has not been shown in the literature, abnormal spinal alignment has been reported [2, 36] and further investigation is warranted.…”

Motor Dysfunctions in Fibromyalgia Patients: The Importance of Breathing

“…The possible causes are related to the presence of vertigo and visual problems, obesity, cognitive symptoms, depression and anxiety, the intake of muscle relaxants and antidepressants, a sedentary lifestyle, kinesiophobia, axial alterations of the spine. 2,10,11,27,28 Very often the patient is unaware of his lack of motor balance. 11 Patients with FM may possibly tend to show less trunk stabilization due to a systemic decrease in proprioception.…”