What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a neurologic chronic health condition that causes pain all over the body. It occurs commonly in women, though can also affect men. It can occur at any age, though often starts in the middle of adulthood. It can be challenging to treat, but our trusted providers help you manage your symptoms and improve quality of life.

Some of the common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Tenderness in muscles, joints or skin
• Existing diagnosis of rheumatic disease
• Easily fatigued, sleep disturbances or waking up tired
• Memory issues or feeling of a lack of clarity
• Migraines or tension headaches
• Digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, reflux, pelvic pain or overactive bladder
• Face or jaw pain, clicking or ringing in the ears

Many researchers believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brain and spinal cord of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain which signal pain.

In addition, the brain's pain receptors seem to develop a memory of the pain and become sensitized to it, meaning they overreact to painful and nonpainful stimuli.

The factors which can lead to these changes include:

• Genetics
• Infections
• Physical or emotional events

Risk factors for fibromyalgia include:

• Your sex- women are more impacted than men
• Family history
• Other disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

Fibromyalgia can produce chronic pain, depression and anxiety.  While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, your provider will create a treatment plan focused on reducing symptoms and increasing quality of life with the following:

• Lifestyle changes
• Self-care strategies
• Stress reduction techniques
• Exercise
• Medication
• Physical and/or occupational therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Acupuncture
• Yoga
• Massage
• Meditation