Fibromyalgia

The standard medical approach to fibromyalgia typically involves medications to manage pain, improve sleep, or reduce nerve sensitivity. These medications can provide some relief, but they do not address the question that matters most: why is your body generating these pain signals in the first place?

Functional medicine starts with that question. Instead of categorizing your symptoms into a diagnosis and prescribing accordingly, Dr. Fries, DC investigates the underlying physiological imbalances that are driving your experience. The answer is different for every person, which is why our treatment plans are never one-size-fits-all.

Common Root Causes We Investigate

Fibromyalgia rarely has a single cause. Research points to a complex interaction of biological, neurological, and environmental factors. During your evaluation, Dr. Fries, DC may investigate:

• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Your cellular energy factories may not be producing enough ATP, leaving your muscles and nervous system in a constant state of energy deficit.
• Gut Health Imbalances: Conditions like leaky gut, SIBO, and dysbiosis drive systemic inflammation that can amplify pain sensitivity throughout the body.
  
  
• Hormonal Dysregulation: Imbalances in cortisol, thyroid hormones, estrogen, and progesterone all have direct effects on pain thresholds and sleep quality.
  
  
• Chronic Low-Grade Infections: Viral triggers such as Epstein-Barr virus or unresolved bacterial infections can keep the immune system in a state of chronic activation.
  
  
• Nutrient Deficiencies: Deficiencies in magnesium, CoQ10, vitamin D, and B vitamins are commonly found in fibromyalgia patients and directly affect pain regulation and energy production.
  
  
• Nervous System Dysregulation: Central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes amplified in its response to pain signals, is a key mechanism in fibromyalgia that functional medicine addresses through targeted interventions.
  
  
• Environmental Toxin Burden: Heavy metals, mold exposure, and chemical toxins can interfere with mitochondrial function and nervous system signaling.

Our Investigative Process: A Deep Dive into Your Health

Your journey at Salt Lake Functional Medicine begins with a comprehensive evaluation. Dr. Fries, DC will take the time to listen to your full health story, understand your symptom patterns, and identify patterns that conventional appointments often miss.

Based on your individual history, she may recommend advanced functional lab testing, which can include:

• Comprehensive hormone panels including cortisol rhythms, thyroid function, and sex hormones.
  
  
• Organic acids testing to assess mitochondrial function and nutrient status.
  
  
• Comprehensive stool analysis to evaluate gut microbiome health and intestinal permeability.
  
  
• Food sensitivity panels to identify inflammatory dietary triggers.
  
  
• Viral and bacterial infection screening.
  
  
• Heavy metal and toxin burden assessment

This level of investigation provides a map of your unique biochemistry. It is the foundation of a treatment plan that actually addresses what is driving your symptoms.

Your Personalized Fibromyalgia Support Plan

No two fibromyalgia patients present the same way, and no two treatment plans at Salt Lake Functional Medicine are identical. Based on your test results and health history, Dr. Fries, DC will design a protocol that may include:

Therapeutic Nutrition

An anti-inflammatory, whole-foods dietary approach designed to reduce systemic inflammation, support gut integrity, and identify personal food triggers. Many fibromyalgia patients experience significant symptom relief when inflammatory foods are removed and nutrient density is increased.

Targeted Supplementation

High-quality, evidence-based supplements selected to address your specific deficiencies and support the systems under greatest stress. This may include magnesium glycinate for muscle relaxation and sleep, CoQ10 for mitochondrial support, adaptogenic herbs for adrenal and nervous system recovery, and targeted gut repair protocols.

Stress and Nervous System Support

Chronic stress is both a trigger and an amplifier of fibromyalgia symptoms. Dr. Fries, DC provides practical, effective strategies to support your nervous system, regulate the cortisol response, and build resilience against the daily stressors that contribute to flare-ups.

Sleep Optimization

Restorative sleep is not optional when healing from fibromyalgia. It is essential. We address the hormonal, neurological, and lifestyle factors that are preventing true sleep quality, which is one of the most powerful interventions available for reducing pain and improving energy.

Gentle Movement and Pacing Guidance

Exercise is beneficial for fibromyalgia, but the wrong type or intensity can trigger crashes. Dr. Fries, DC provides guidance on appropriate movement, pacing strategies, and how to progressively build stamina without triggering setbacks.

What Improvement Can Look Like

Patients who commit to the functional medicine process for fibromyalgia at Salt Lake Functional Medicine often report meaningful improvements across multiple areas:

• Reduced widespread pain and fewer tender points.
  
  
• Improved daily energy and stamina.
  
  
• More restorative, consistent sleep.
  
  
• Clearer thinking and a lifting of fibro fog.
  
  
• Fewer and less severe flare-ups over time.
  
  
• A greater sense of control and confidence in their own health.

Results are not overnight, and this process requires commitment. But for patients who have felt stuck in a cycle of medications and frustration, the functional medicine approach often opens a door to genuine, lasting progress.