Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can be defined as a chronic pain condition occurring in a defined pattern reproduced by pressure on specific tender points.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can be defined as a chronic pain condition occurring in a defined pattern reproduced by pressure on specific tender points. It is often associated with widespread pain, stiffness, fatigue, un-refreshing sleep, cognitive difficulties, anxiety and/or depression & functional Activities of Daily Living (ADL) impairment.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is known as a syndrome because it is a collection of symptoms rather than a specific disease process that is well understood. Besides pain and fatigue fibromyalgia symptoms often include:
- Non refreshing sleep
- Waking up tired and stiff
- Headaches ranging from ordinary types to migraine
- Irritable bowel
- Frequent diarrhoea or constipation, sometimes accompanied by gas in the abdomen or nausea
- Cognitive disturbances including lack of concentration and word mix up
- Clumsiness and dizziness
- Sensitivity to changes in the weather and to noise, bright lights, smoke and other environmental factors
- Allergies
Do I have Fibromyalgia?
Once other medical conditions have been ruled out through tests and the patient’s history, diagnosis depends on two main symptoms:
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Widespread pain for more than three months together with
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Pain in at least 11 out of 18 tender point sites when they are pressed.
You may suffer from chronic diffuse pain, associated fatigue, poor sleep & multiple somatic complaints. you might of heard yourself say “I feel like I hurt all over all of the time”.
Some people have:
A 3 month duration & history of:
- Diffuse pain in neck, lower back, upper trap.
- Fatigue, poor sleep (key finding)
- Cognitive problems (“fibrofog”) – confusion, poor concentration & communication
- Personality & mood changes; allergic symptoms (e.g. nasal congestion)
- Symptoms may decrease then flare-up
- Morning stiffness is common
What treatment may help me?
Our sports massage, therapeutic massage or reflexology treatment may help you.
