Fibromyalgia affects about 2% of the adult population equating to about 4 million men and women in the U.S. with 90% of those being females. It is one of the most common chronic pain conditions for those dealing with widespread pain.
Understanding Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread pain in the musculoskeletal system that often results in fatigue, sleep issues, mood imbalances and memory issues. Some believe that fibromyalgia amplifies the painful sensations people experience because of how it affects the brain and spinal cords’ pain signals. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can occur over time or after an event such as physical trauma, surgery, infection or an extreme amount of psychological stress. While there are no cures for this condition there are ways to treat it minimizing the pain levels of each individual.
Common Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia
Widespread pain that occurs on both sides of the body and lasts for at least three months is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia. This type of pain is often classified as constant, dull and achy. Other common symptoms of this condition are constant fatigue. Awakening from a good night’s rest tired or experiencing disrupted sleep because of pain leading to tiredness can all be associated with fibromyalgia. Often people who deal with this condition experience specific sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. With fibromyalgia affecting one’s sleep, it’s no wonder that people have brain fog or lack the ability to focus. Cognitive functions are often impaired for those dealing with this condition.
Other common symptoms that people express are stiffness, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, impaired memory function, tingling and numbness in hands and feet, jaw pain or even TMJ (temporomandibular joint syndrome), headaches and digestive issues.
Complications With Fibromyalgia
Mostly due to widespread pain, those dealing with fibromyalgia often express a lower quality of life than what they were used to or would desire for themselves. Constant pain can lead to serious mental health issues as well as a disability because of one’s difficulty to function due to pain. Hospitalizations, major depression, and rheumatic conditions can all be complications associated with this condition leading to a lower quality of life.
Ways To Treat It
Unfortunately, there is no cure for those suffering from fibromyalgia but there are ways to treat it allowing for greater quality of life. Chiropractic care, trigger point injections, laser therapy, massage therapy, nutrition counseling and individualized exercise routines can all minimize the effect and symptoms of FM. Trigger point injections, for example, help to relax the muscles while chiropractic care is able to treat the spine and muscles so that one can attain their best full range of motion. Understanding the patient and what the patient’s needs are is essential in determining a plan that will work best for them. At Pain Relief Partners, the dedicated staff designs a specific and individualized treatment plan to help patients gain control of their life again.
Speaking with your medical practitioner about any concerns you may have if you suspect that fibromyalgia is something you are dealing with is your first step in determining your next step.
