You hurt all over and feel exhausted most of the day. You have undergone numerous tests and your doctor is unable to make a specific diagnosis. You may have fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue and widespread pain. It occurs specifically in muscles, ligaments and tendons. Some 2% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia, and women make up 85% of these patients. Approximately 25% recover, but the remaining 75% live with pain and fatigue for years.
Researchers have yet to find a single trigger to induce fibromyalgia but have narrowed-down the signs, symptoms and treatments that have shown to be effective. The name of the condition, fibromyalgia, suggests that widespread pain is originating from the fibrous tissue or muscles. However, there is no evidence in the literature to suggest that there is actually damage or pathology in those fibrous tissues or muscles. In fact, more recent data supports the notion that fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system’s pain-processing pathways. Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. These changes involve an abnormal rise in levels of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the brain that help signal pain. Essentially, the end result is that the brain then overreacts to pain signals.
Signs and symptoms occur differently in all patients in the beginning. The symptoms can vary depending on weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day. Symptoms of fibromyalgia often begin after physical or emotional trauma. It is also much more common in patients that suffer from co-existing conditions such as: sleep syndromes, headaches, irritable bowel and bladder syndromes, lupus, Raynaud syndrome, restless leg syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, endometriosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Characteristics of Fibromyalgia
The pain associated with fibromyalgia is described as a constant dull ache, typically occurring in the muscles. In order to be considered widespread, the patient must experience pain occurring on both sides of the body and above and below the waist. Fibromyalgia is characterized by increased pain when definite pressure is applied to specific tender points on the body.
The 18 tender point locations include:
- Back of the head
- Top of shoulders
- Between shoulder blades
- Upper hips
- Sides of hips
- Inner knees
- Upper chest
- Front side of neck
People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, regard- less of how much sleep they are getting. Experts believe that that these patients rarely reach the deep restorative sleep stage. Sleep disorders that have been linked to patients with fibromyalgia include restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea.
Treatments of Fibromyalgia
Medications
Medication: Can help reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. Some of those are non-narcotic analgesics, antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs. Because the underlying issue with fibromyalgia likely involves the chemicals in the brain, most of these medications help to restore normal balance to the brain’s chemistry. Ask your doctor if any types of these medications may benefit your individual symptoms.
Therapy
Chiropractic: Spinal manipulation is one of many forms of therapy chiropractors used to treat restricted spinal mobility. The goal is to restore spinal movement, improving joint and muscle function, and decreasing pain. Chiropractors manipulate the spine using varied degrees of force and patient body positions. Manipulation does not need to be forceful or painful to be effective. Chiropractors may also use forms of massage and stretching to relax muscle spams.
Physical Therapy: Specific exercises can help reduce pain by restoring muscle balance, building strength and range of motion. Stretching techniques have also been proven beneficial. PT is often used for nerve inflammation or injury, post injuries and for chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia.
Counseling: Cognitive behavior therapy is used to strengthen your coping abilities and teaches you techniques for dealing with your symptoms. This type of therapy can be offered individually, in classes, or even on compact disc or DVD.
Acupuncture: is a Chinese medical technique based on restoring normal balance in the body by inserting a very tiny needle through the skin on specific points in the body. Studies show that acupuncture can alter brain chemistry. It does this by altering the release of neurotransmitters. Acupuncture is based on stimulating or inhibiting nerve impulses in the brain. One acupuncture treatment in some patients has alleviated fibromyalgia/chronic pain symptoms for weeks.
Interventional Procedures
Interventional pain procedures: Since fibromyalgia is often accompanied with chronic joint and post-traumatic soft tissue disorders there are many interventional procedures that may help to decrease your individual pain.
At Arizona Pain Specialists, we recognize the burden of fibromyalgia and offer many treatments that are individualized for each patient. If you believe you suffer from fibromyalgia please contact your chiropractor or doctor for further information.
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