Fibromyalgia

“I am a skeptic by nature and have very high expectations, so believe me when I say that it is rare to encounter a facility such as Ascend Health Center. Everyone I’ve encountered absolutely cares about the patient and treats them individually. The doctors and therapists do not take a paint by numbers approach when dealing with patients. Each plan is specifically designed for that patient, from fibro to depression to pain. Take the time, follow their instructions, keep an open mind and there is a strong likelihood that you will live an improved life.” -Michael R. 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain, tenderness, and stiffness of muscles and associated connective tissue structures. It is typically accompanied by fatigue, headache, and sleep disturbances.

Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, many physicians believe that it is linked to faulty communication between the brain and nerve pain signals. Fibromyalgia commonly occurs in people who also struggle with mood disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

How We Help

Fibromyalgia requires an understanding of the emotional and physical components of disease. Low dose ketamine treatments and other intravenous medications are a crucial part of the solution to achieve remission, even in treatment resistant cases. Medication management from our psychiatrist and talk therapy from our therapists or one the patient has already established a relationship with extends the results we’ve seen.

Studies show that the NMDA antagonist ketamine is an effective, non-opioid solution for both the debilitating pain and psychiatric manifestations of fibromyalgia. Ketamine is an anesthesia medication with potent anti-inflammatory properties that grows new connections in the nervous system, bypassing vicious cycles of pain and despair. Chronic pain patients are familiar with short-term treatments that may treat one symptom, only to exacerbate another. Some of our patients have multiple chemical sensitivities as well. Ketamine redirects the neurotransmitter glutamate to nourish the brain and build new neural networks instead of increasing hypersensitivity reactions throughout the body. Neuroplasticity and synaptogenesis occurs via a chain reaction through a natural release of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Since opening in early 2019 as Ascend Health Center of Akron, before we became Ascend Health Center, we have not encountered any patients with fibromyalgia we were unable to help. Many return for a ketamine infusion every few months to maintain a high quality of life. Rather than trial and error, we incorporate precise, holistic treatments bolstered by the latest scientific evidence, from herbal medicine to TMS.