Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue
Living with widespread pain or constant fatigue can be exhausting. At Rapid Chiro, we evaluate whether dysfunction involving the upper cervical spine and nervous system may be contributing to your overall health and quality of life.
What is Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue?
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) are complex conditions that can make even everyday activities feel overwhelming.
Fibromyalgia is commonly associated with widespread musculoskeletal pain, tenderness, poor sleep, headaches, and increased sensitivity to pressure or touch.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is characterized by persistent, overwhelming fatigue that isn't relieved by rest and is often worsened by physical or mental activity.
Although these conditions are different, many people experience overlapping symptoms that can significantly affect work, relationships, exercise, and overall quality of life. Because there isn't a single cause, it's important to evaluate every potential contributing factor rather than assuming everyone has the same underlying problem.
Could Your Neck Be Involved?
The upper cervical spine surrounds the transition between the brain and spinal cord and sits immediately adjacent to the brainstem. The brainstem helps regulate many automatic functions throughout the body, including sleep, breathing, heart rate, autonomic nervous system activity, and communication between the brain and the rest of the body.
This region also plays an important role in processing sensory information from the body and coordinating normal movement and posture.
Researchers continue to investigate the relationship between the nervous system, chronic pain, fatigue, autonomic regulation, and the upper cervical spine.
How we Evaluate
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Consultation
We take the time to understand your health history, migraine symptoms, previous injuries, and your goals.
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Digital X-rays
If indicated, specialized upper cervical X-rays allow us to evaluate the alignment of the upper neck with precision.
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NeckCare Functional Testing
The neck contains some of the highest concentrations of sensory receptors in the body. We use NeckCare technology to objectively measure range of motion, joint position accuracy, and sensorimotor control. These tests help us understand how well your neck is functioning and provide measurable data we can track over time.
You won’t find testing like this anywhere else in the Black Hills.
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Posture Analysis
Your posture provides valuable insight into how your body is adapting to gravity. Even small shifts in head and shoulder position can place additional stress on the muscles and joints of the neck.
Using digital posture analysis, we objectively measure alignment rather than relying on visual observation alone. This gives us a baseline that we can compare throughout care.
Why Precision Matters
No two people have the exact same anatomy, injury history, or movement patterns. That's why we don't believe every patient should receive the same adjustment.
Our goal is to gather as much objective information as possible before making a correction. Every step—from posture analysis and specialized X-rays to functional testing—is designed to help us determine whether an upper cervical correction is appropriate and, if so, exactly how to perform it.
Rather than relying on force, our approach emphasizes specificity. A precise correction is designed to work with your anatomy, not against it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The upper cervical spine surrounds the brainstem—one of the body's most important control centers. It also contains one of the highest concentrations of sensory receptors in the body and is closely associated with normal blood flow and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation. Because this region plays such a critical role in nervous system function, we believe it deserves a thorough evaluation in individuals experiencing chronic, unexplained health challenges. Our goal is to determine whether dysfunction in the upper neck is present and, if so, provide a precise correction based on objective findings.
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Upper cervical chiropractic uses a gentle, precise approach that typically does not involve twisting or forceful rotation of the neck.
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If clinically appropriate, specialized X-rays help us understand the unique alignment of your upper neck and guide care.
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Your first visit is approximately one hour.
During that time, we'll take the time to understand your health history, discuss your migraine symptoms and goals, perform a detailed examination, evaluate your posture, and determine whether specialized upper cervical imaging is appropriate.
Our goal isn't to rush you through an appointment—it's to gather the information needed to understand whether the upper cervical spine may be contributing to your condition and develop a personalized plan based on objective findings.
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Not usually. Our first priority is understanding exactly what's going on. If additional imaging or testing is needed, we'll review those findings before making any recommendations. This approach allows us to provide care that's based on objective information rather than guesswork.
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The cost of your initial visit depends on the specific examination procedures and testing the doctor determines are appropriate for your individual case. Every patient is different, and we tailor the evaluation based on your history, symptoms, and clinical findings.
If you'd like to learn more about what your visit may include or receive an estimate based on your situation, our team would be happy to help. Please give our office a call, and we'll answer any questions you have before scheduling.