Myofascial pain syndrome

What is fibromyalgia?Fibromyalgia is chronic condition that causes pain all over the body, fatigue, and other symptoms. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people who don't have it. This is called abnormal pain perception processing.What causes fibromyalgia?The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Researchers think that certain things might contribute to its cause:Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidentsRepetitive injuriesIllnesses such as viral infectionsSometimes, fibromyalgia can develop on its own. It can run in families, so genes may play a role in the cause.Who is at risk for fibromyalgia?Anyone can get fibromyalgia, but it is more common inWomen; they are twice as likely to have fibromyalgiaMiddle-aged peoplePeople with certain diseases, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitisPeople who have a family member with fibromyalgiaWhat are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?Common symptoms of fibromyalgia includePain and stiffness all over the bodyFatigue and tirednessProblems with thinking, memory, and concentration (sometimes called "fibro fog")Depression and anxietyHeadaches, including migrainesIrritable bowel syndromeNumbness or tingling in the hands and feetPain in the face or jaw, including disorders of the jaw know as temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)Sleep problemsHow is fibromyalgia diagnosed?Fibromyalgia can be hard to diagnose. It sometimes takes visits to several different health care providers to get a diagnosis. One problem is that there isn't a specific test for it. And the main symptoms, pain and fatigue, are common in many other conditions. Health care providers have to rule out other causes of the symptoms before making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This is called making a differential diagnosis.To make a diagnosis, your health care providerWill take your medical history and ask detailed questions about your symptomsWill do a physical examMay do x-rays and blood tests to rule out other conditionsWill consider the guidelines for diagnosing fibromyalgia, which includeA history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 monthsPhysical symptoms including fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and cognitive (memory or thought) problemsThe number of areas throughout the body in which you had pain in the past weekWhat are the treatments for fibromyalgia?Not all health care providers are familiar with fibromyalgia and its treatment. You should see a doctor or team of healthcare providers who specialize in the treatment of fibromyalgia.Fibromyalgia is treated with a combination of treatments, which may include medicines, lifestyle changes, talk therapy, and complementary therapies:MedicinesOver-the-counter pain relieversPrescription medicines that were specifically approved to treat fibromyalgiaPrescription pain medicinesCertain antidepressants, which may help with pain or sleep problemsLifestyle changesGetting enough sleepGetting regular physical activity. If you have not already been active, start slowly and gradually increase how much activity you get. You may want to see a physical therapist, who can help you create a plan that is right for you.Learning how to manage stressEating a healthy dietLearning to pace yourself. If you do too much, it can make your symptoms worse. So you need to learn to balance being active with your need for rest.Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help you learn strategies to deal with pain, stress, and negative thoughts. If you also have depression along with your fibromyalgia, talk therapy can help with that too.Complementary therapies have helped some people with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. But researchers need to do more studies to show which ones are effective. You could consider trying them, but you should check with your health care provider first. These therapies includeMassage therapyMovement therapiesChiropractic therapyAcupuncture