Fibromyalgia

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that causes all-over body pain and areas of tenderness. The pain comes and goes, but fibromyalgia affects the quality of life. People with this chronic pain condition find it hard to plan their life when they constantly hover between periods of feeling good and periods of flare-ups.

Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, but it’s more common in women than men. Many people with fibromyalgia have other chronic health conditions like depression, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and migraines. 

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Pain and fatigue are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia — people with fibromyalgia experience:

• All-over muscle pain
• Joint pain
• Specific areas of tenderness
• Exhaustion 
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Difficulty sleeping

Though there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, early diagnosis and treatment can improve your quality of life. If you have any new pain, specifically pain in the muscle, along with fatigue, you should schedule a visit with a health care provider for an evaluation.

What causes fibromyalgia?

Researchers are still investigating what causes fibromyalgia but theorize it may develop from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Though you’re at a greater risk of having fibromyalgia if it runs in your family, genes alone don’t cause the condition. Fibromyalgia usually has a trigger, such as an illness, injury, or emotional stress. 

People with fibromyalgia are more sensitive to pain because of changes in how their body communicates with the brain and spine. These changes somehow amplify how the brain interprets pain, causing an increase in pain sensation.

Though the exact cause of fibromyalgia isn’t always clear, people with the painful condition may find that certain activities or events trigger their symptoms, such as stress, a change in routine, or not getting enough sleep.

What are some of the treatments for fibromyalgia?

No single treatment works for all people with fibromyalgia. Advanced Spine and Pain Center customizes treatment plans to reduce pain and improve the quality of life. 

Treatment for fibromyalgia may include:

• Regular exercise
• Stress management
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
• Sleep therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

The pain management experts may also prescribe medication to help control pain, such as duloxetine (an antidepressant that changes brain chemicals to reduce pain sensation) or gabapentin (blocks nerve activity to control pain). 

Advanced Spine and Pain Center schedules regular follow-up appointments to monitor your pain and adjust your plan as needed.

For help with fibromyalgia, call Advanced Spine and Pain Center or schedule an appointment online today.