By Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | Hollywood, Florida
Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 4 million adults in the United States, with women comprising approximately 75 percent of those diagnosed according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For women in Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, and across Broward County living with widespread pain, fatigue, cognitive fog, and sleep disruption, the standard medical response, a combination of antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and lifestyle advice, often provides incomplete relief while introducing significant side effects. Many women in this population are looking for drug-free options to consider alongside conventional pharmaceutical care.
Central sensitization and peripheral musculoskeletal contributors both play a role in fibromyalgia. Clinical reasoning supports considering both components when evaluating care approaches for patients who have not found sufficient relief through pharmaceutical treatment alone.
At Hollywood Laser Pain Center, I provide chiropractic care for fibromyalgia patients using a multimodal approach that includes photobiomodulation (laser therapy), Graston Technique, and acupuncture. The approach reflects an understanding of fibromyalgia as a condition involving both peripheral musculoskeletal factors and central neurological sensitization.
What Is Central Sensitization and Why Does It Drive Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is widely understood as a disorder of central sensitization, in which the central nervous system amplifies pain signals throughout the body. Research published in Arthritis & Rheumatism documented measurable neurological changes in fibromyalgia patients. The study found elevated substance P levels in cerebrospinal fluid, approximately three times higher than in controls. Functional brain imaging changes have also been reported in the literature, consistent with amplified pain processing.
The journal Pain has published research examining the relationship between peripheral nociceptive input and central sensitization. The findings suggest that peripheral pain sources can contribute to maintaining the sensitization cycle. This is part of the broader clinical reasoning for approaches that consider tissue-level factors as one component of fibromyalgia care.
How Photobiomodulation Therapy Is Studied in Fibromyalgia Care
Photobiomodulation, often referred to as laser therapy, has been studied for its effects on pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-alpha, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 in the tissues it reaches. Researchers have examined whether reducing peripheral inflammatory signaling may have downstream effects relevant to central pain processing.
In 2021, a systematic review published in Frontiers in Neurology examined photobiomodulation therapy in fibromyalgia and reported observed associations across the included studies. A 2019 randomized controlled trial in Pain Research and Management also examined fibromyalgia impact questionnaire scores in the context of photobiomodulation treatment. The research literature on photobiomodulation for fibromyalgia is still developing, and clinical findings vary across studies and patient populations.
How Graston Technique Is Used in Multimodal Care
Many fibromyalgia patients present with significant myofascial trigger points in the trapezius, levator scapulae, suboccipitals, and paraspinal musculature. These are discrete areas of muscle tension that may relate to local pain and referred pain patterns. Graston Technique is an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization method used to address soft tissue restrictions. In a multimodal care setting, it is applied as one component alongside other approaches.
How Acupuncture Fits Into Fibromyalgia Care
Acupuncture has a substantial research literature, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have examined its effects on descending pain inhibitory pathways. My acupuncture certification allows me to incorporate this modality as part of a multimodal care plan for patients in the Broward County community, where fibromyalgia is a condition that has historically been under-recognized.
To learn more about chiropractic care offered at Hollywood Laser Pain Center, visit the practice website. Patient education content is available on the ReliefNow Nation YouTube channel. The practice is located at 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020. Phone: 954-925-7333.
About the Author
Dr. Bruce Mark, DC | Hollywood Laser Pain Center | 2607 Polk Street, Hollywood FL 33020 | 954-925-7333
Dr. Mark earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic with honors and has practiced for more than 27 years in Hollywood, Florida. He holds certifications in Graston Technique and acupuncture, is a former collegiate football player at Wake Forest University, and practices at Broward Medical and Rehab. He is a provider in the national ReliefNow® network.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. The effectiveness of treatments may vary depending on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional to discuss your specific medical needs and treatment options.
