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Causes Of Low Back Pain

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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome (or fibromyalgia) is a chronic disorder associated with widespread muscle and soft tissue pain, tenderness, and fatigue. A person with fibromyalgia will experience pain when up to 18 specific areas called tender points are pressed. Pushing carefully on these specific trigger points during an examination causes discomfort or sharp pain.

The cause of fibromyalgia is not known. Fibromyalgia has been recognized as a medical disorder only since the 1980s, although there is evidence it may have existed for centuries.1

The pain of fibromyalgia is more than normal muscle aches common after physical exertion. Fibromyalgia often can be severe enough to disrupt a person's daily work and activities.

Other symptoms that commonly occur with fibromyalgia include:

Unrestful sleep.
Fatigue.
Morning stiffness.
Less common symptoms or conditions that can accompany fibromyalgia include:

Headache.
Raynaud's syndrome.
Irritable bowel syndrome (present in about one-half of those with fibromyalgia).2
Depression.
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to many other disorders and diseases. There are no lab tests to diagnose fibromyalgia. It is often diagnosed after other conditions have been ruled out. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when:3

A person has had widespread pain for at least 3 months. To be considered "widespread," the pain must be both above and below the waist and on both sides of the body.
At least 11 of 18 specific tender points are painful when pressed. (Because symptoms vary widely from person to person, some people with fibromyalgia may have fewer painful tender points.)

Fibromyalgia is not a psychological condition, although it has some psychological components. As with many conditions that cause chronic pain, anxiety and depression are common in people with fibromyalgia and may make symptoms worse.

While there is no specific cure for fibromyalgia, symptoms of this syndrome can be treated. If you have fibromyalgia, taking an active role in your treatment is very important to managing your condition.

Treatment may be different for each individual. It can include:
Medications to help you sleep better and to relieve pain.
Exercise therapy to help with muscle aches and stiffness.
Counseling to help you manage chronic pain.
Research is ongoing to understand the cause of fibromyalgia and its cure.

Don’t live life in pain!