What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain condition involving a variety of symptoms, including muscle and bone pain, tenderness in your body, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. 

When you have fibromyalgia, you usually have trigger points. These areas of your body can become so sensitive that the slightest touch can cause extreme pain. Trigger points can also have a persistent ache lasting for three months or more.

Common locations of trigger points include:

• Back of your head
• Tops of your shoulders
• Upper chest
• Outer elbows
• Hips
• Knees
• Lower back

Fibromyalgia is a complicated condition that’s often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.

What causes fibromyalgia?

While the precise cause of fibromyalgia isn’t known, it’s believed that this form of chronic pain starts because of specific changes in the brain. It begins when your nerves and nerve receptors become more sensitive to stimulation, causing your brain to overreact to their pain signals. These changes can also make your brain reduce your body’s threshold for pain.

Several factors increase your chances of having fibromyalgia, including:

• Certain illnesses or infections
• Physical or emotional trauma or stress
• A family history of the disorder

It’s also common to have fibromyalgia when you have other conditions, like migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, or painful bladder syndrome.

What is the treatment for fibromyalgia?

The primary goal for fibromyalgia treatment is managing your pain and improving your quality of life. As experienced pain management specialists, the Garden State Pain & Orthopedics team might recommend a variety of therapies to manage your condition based on the severity of your symptoms.

Common treatments for fibromyalgia include:

• Medications, like pain relievers, antidepressants, and antiseizure drugs
• Physical therapy to improve your flexibility, strength, stamina
• Occupational therapy to reduce stress on your body
• Alternative therapies, like acupuncture and massage therapy

In addition to medical treatments for fibromyalgia, your doctor at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics might also recommend lifestyle changes to manage your symptoms. These often include getting enough sleep, practicing meditation or yoga, and engaging in regular exercise. 

Sometimes, certain foods can also worsen fibromyalgia symptoms, so your doctor might also suggest dietary changes focused on reducing your sugar consumption and increasing the amount of fruits, vegetables, and water you consume regularly.

For more information on fibromyalgia, call Garden State Pain & Orthopedics or book a consultation online today.