Learn from Experience

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal syndrome characterized by pain, aches, tenderness, and stiffness in the muscle tissue, ligaments, and tendons. It most frequently affects the neck, shoulders, chest, legs, and lower back. Pain is generally accompanied by sleep disorders, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, and depression. Many of its symptoms are similar to those of chronic fatigue syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ).

 

Who Is Affected by Fibromyalgia?

Risk factors for fibromyalgia include the following:-
  • Age (more common in young adults)
  • Gender (more common in women than men)
  • Genetic (familial patterSleep disorders (whether sleep difficulties are a cause or a result of fibromyalgia is unknown).

Causes of fibromyalgia are not known. The condition produces vague symptoms that may be associated with diminished blood flow to certain parts of the brain and increased amounts of substance P, which is thought to be a sensory neurotransmitter involved in the communication of pain, touch, and temperature from the body to the brain. Researchers have identified several other possible causes, including the following:-

  • Autonomic nervous system dysfunction
  • Chronic sleep disorders
  • Emotional stress or trauma
  • Immune or endocrine system dysfunction
  • Upper spinal cord injury
  • Viral or bacterial infection

 

What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

While the symptoms of fibromyalgia can be debilitating, they are not life threatening. Symptoms vary, depending on stress level, physical activity, time of day, and the weather. Pain is the primary symptom, found in virtually 100% of cases—specifically, pain and tenderness in certain areas of the body when pressure is applied to them. These areas include:-

  • Back of the head
  • Elbows
  • Hips
  • Knees
  • Neck
  • Upper back
  • Upper chest

Pain may be aching, burning, throbbing, or move around the body (migratory). Many patients also experience muscle tightness, soreness, and spasms. The patient may be unable to carry out normal daily activities, even though muscle strength is not affected. The pain is often worse in the morning, improves throughout the day, and worsens at night.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition and symptoms may be constant or intermittent for years or even a lifetime. Other common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:-

  • Sleep disorders (e.g., restless leg syndrome, sleep apnoea)
  • Gastrointestinal (e.g., abdominal pain, bloating, gas, cramps, alternating diarrhoea and constipation)
  • Numbness or tingling sensations
  • Chronic headaches (may include facial and jaw pain)
  • Heightened sensitivity to odours, loud noises, bright lights, various foods, medicines, and changes in weather
  • Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea) and painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
  • Frequent urination, strong urge to urinate, and painful urination (dysuria)
  • Rapid or irregular heart-rate, and shortness of breath
  • Sensation of swelling (oedema) in the hands and feet, even though swelling is not present.

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be difficult, because tiredness, fatigue, poor sleep and muscle pain are symptoms common to many conditions that need to be ruled out before a positive diagnosis is made. There are certain criteria that are required to be passed before a diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be confirmed. Widespread pain that should have been present for more than three months, and pain (or tenderness) should be felt in at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points when pressure is applied.

  • (1 & 2) Occiput: on both sides (bilateral), at the sub-occipital muscle insertions.
  • (3 & 4) Low Cervical: bilateral, at the anterior aspects of the inter-transverse spaces.
  • (5 & 6) Lateral Epicondyle: bilateral, 2 cm distal to the epicondyles
  • (7 & 8) Knee: bilateral, at the medial fat pad proximal to the joint line.
  • (9 & 10) Second Rib: bilateral, at the second costochondral junction, just lateral to the junctions on upper surfaces.
  • (11 & 12) Trapezius: bilateral, at the midpoint of the upper border of the muscle.
  • (13 & 14) Supraspinatus: bilateral, at origins, above the spine of the scapula (shoulder blade) near the medial border.(15 & 16) Gluteal: bilateral, in upper outer quadrants of buttocks in anterior fold of muscle. (17 & 18) Greater Trochanter: bilateral, posterior to the trochanteric prominence.

diagram of the tender points associated with fibromyalgia

Allopathic Treatment Options

At present, there is no cure and no specific treatment for fibromyalgia, but there are things that can help. There are drug regimes using a mixture of different drugs including painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication, and antidepressants to treat pain and any associated emotional problems.

Complementary Treatment Options

Low impact aerobic exercises are recommended, especially things like Taiji and Qigong as they also increase energy levels. Shiatsu therapy, with its use of gentle stretching and muscle manipulation, along with finger pressure on the acupuncture points has shown success in alleviating symptoms.

There is an article on immunesupport.com that talks about the beneficial use of shiatsu in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Check out the link: Aches Define Life for Fibromyalgia Sufferers

Pro-Holistic provides Shiatsu, Healing Chi Kung therapy, on-site massage, Stress Mangement courses, and Stress Mangement workshops. We also provide tuition in Chi Kung, Tai Chi, Neijia, and self defence.