Fibromyalgia

 

Fibromyalgia affects up to 15 million people in the US. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain illness characterized by widespread pain, general fatigue and sleep disturbances. Because much of the pain and tenderness experienced with fibromyalgia is felt in the muscles and soft tissues, fibromyalgia is often considered a musculoskeletal disorder. However, new brain-imaging techniques and scientific studies have shown that fibromyalgia is better defined as a central nervous system disorder resulting in abnormal pain processing. According to recent estimates, approximately 5% of the population has fibromyalgia and it seems to occur at similar rates worldwide regardless of ethnicity. Although fibromyalgia appears to affect more women, it does strike men and children as well. 

 

Symptoms: There are three primary symptoms common to virtually everyone with fibromyalgia: pain, fatigue and sleep disorders.

• Fibromyalgia pain is widespread and chronic and can range in intensity from mild to severe. It is often described as a migrating pain, affecting different parts of the body at different times and may manifest itself as muscular aching and stiffness, throbbing, burning, shooting pain or sharp, stabbing pain. It can also produce an all-over body ache, described by patients as feeling like they have the flu all the time. 

• Fatigue is another of the primary symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is often the most difficult symptom to describe to others because everyone knows what it feels like to be tired. However, the fatigue of fibromyalgia is so much more than just being tired, it is a pervasive, all-encompassing exhaustion that can interfere with even the most basic and simple daily activities. Patients have described the fatigue of fibromyalgia as feeling like someone pulled their plug and disconnected them from their power source.

• Most people with fibromyalgia have difficulty sleeping and do not awake feeling refreshed. Research studies have shown that fibromyalgia patients spend little or no time in deep, stage-four sleep. In these patients, deep sleep is repeatedly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. Since this is the stage of sleep during which the body, especially connective tissue, repairs itself, fibromyalgia patients are not able to get restful, restorative sleep. Most fibromyalgia patients also report other symptoms and overlapping conditions, which may include allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome, headaches, migraines, dizziness, numbness and tingling, sensitivity to cold or heat, depression, restless legs syndrome, chemical or environmental sensitivities, impaired balance or coordination, dry eyes and mouth, vision problems, or problems with memory, concentration and cognitive functioning. 

 

Treatment Since there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, treatment efforts are directed at relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. A multi-disciplined approach using prescription medications, alternative therapies, gentle exercise and lifestyle adaptations seems to work best for most patients. Unfortunately, what works well for one individual may not work at all for another. Finding an effective fibromyalgia treatment program is usually a matter of trial and error. It requires the patient and the healthcare professionals to work together as a team to develop an individualized plan. Physical therapy is quite beneficial in treatment of fibromyalgia. PT treatment may include hands-on manual therapy techniques to decrease pain, improve alignment and improve joint and muscle function. Modalities, including superficial and deep heat and cold treatments, electrical stimulation and traction may be used for the treatment of pain exacerbations. The emphasis of treatment is to decrease pain and maximize function. 

 

Exercise: Although many fibromyalgia patients feel like they are in too much pain to exercise, it's an essential component of any fibromyalgia treatment plan. Without exercise, muscles become deconditioned, which will actually cause the pain and stiffness of fibromyalgia to get worse. On the other hand, exercise that is too strenuous can also increase pain. The best answer to this problem seems to be a very gentle, slowly graded exercise program that is specifically individualized to meet the functional deficits of a particular patient. As a movement disorder specialist, the physical therapist is uniquely qualified to implement this treatment plan.

 

For additional information about treatment for fibromyalgia please contact CORE Services, Inc. at 314-647-4880.