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Physiotherapy for Fibromyalgia

The following is an educational overview of Fibromyalgia and common treatment options. Fibro = fibrous tissues (ligaments that attach to bone and tendons that attach muscle to bone) myo = muscle algia = the Greek word for pain Fibromyalgia, though common, is a disease that's not well understood. It involves pain throughout the Healthy Body, with especially tender spots near certain joints. The pain stops people with fibromyalgia from functioning normally, partly because they feel exhausted most of the time. Fibromyalgia is a chronic (meaning long-lasting) condition that usually requires many years of treatment. It can occur along with other forms of arthritis or all by itself. It can occur after an injury or out of the blue. Most people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women in their middle years.

The following is an educational overview of Fibromyalgia and common treatment options.

Fibro = fibrous tissues (ligaments that attach to bone and tendons that attach muscle to bone)
myo = muscle
algia = the Greek word for pain

Fibromyalgia, though common, is a disease that’s not well understood. It involves pain throughout the Healthy Body, with especially tender spots near certain joints. The pain stops people with fibromyalgia from functioning normally, partly because they feel exhausted most of the time. Fibromyalgia is a chronic (meaning long-lasting) condition that usually requires many years of treatment. It can occur along with other forms of arthritis or all by itself. It can occur after an injury or out of the blue. Most people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women in their middle years.

This guide will help you understand:

  • how doctors diagnose fibromyalgia
  • what can be done for the condition

Anatomy

Where does fibromyalgia develop?

Pain in fibromyalgia is present in soft tissues throughout the Healthy Body. Pain and stiffness concentrate in spots such as the neck and lower back. The tender spots don’t seem to be inflamed. Most tests show nothing out of the ordinary in the anatomy of people with fibromyalgia.

Causes

Why does fibromyalgia develop?

The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, but one thing is for sure: you’re not making it up. Many sufferers have been told that it’s all in your head by family members or other doctors. It is true that people with fibromyalgia are often depressed, and that stress worsens symptoms. But depression and stress don’t seem to be the driving forces behind the disease.

Fibromyalgia often occurs along with other conditions, such as other forms of arthritis, Lyme disease, or thyroid problems. It can also develop after a serious injury. These problems may cause the fibromyalgia to develop.

About 80 per cent of all fibromyalgia patients reports serious problems sleeping. Because fibromyalgia is so strongly connected to sleep disturbance, in some cases it is possible that the sleep disturbance is the major cause. In fact, studies have produced fibromyalgia-like symptoms in healthy adults by disrupting their sleep patterns.

There is some evidence that fibromyalgia is linked with autoimmune disorders, in which your immune system attacks the tissues of your own Healthy Body. Sufferers have lower pain thresholds and lower levels of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in pain, sleep, and mood. However, it’s unclear whether these conditions cause the fibromyalgia or are a result of the disease.

Symptoms

What does fibromyalgia feel like?

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are long-lasting and intense. However, they can vary from day today. Symptoms include:….Read More