Fibromyalgia 101

Living with chronic pain from an unknown source can be incredibly difficult. It can keep you awake and otherwise reduce your quality of life. Fibromyalgia may be the underlying cause. Here’s everything you need to know about fibromyalgia and what you can do to find pain relief.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes musculoskeletal pain (pain in the muscles and bones) that can affect any region of the body. In fact, the condition is defined by the chronic pain it causes across multiple regions, simultaneously. Around 3% of Canadians suffer from fibromyalgia, with the condition being much more frequent in women than in men.

The direct cause and mechanism of fibromyalgia aren’t very well understood. Some research shows that repeated nerve stimulation can cause changes in the brain chemistry responsible for signalling pain. However, the medical field’s understanding of fibromyalgia is still very limited and treatment focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms.

Fibromyalgia can cause a wide range of symptoms, most arising as secondary effects of chronic pain. The condition causes widespread musculoskeletal discomfort that can affect different regions of the body. This pain is often a dull ache or tenderness, regularly affecting multiple areas at once.

The multisite soreness caused by fibromyalgia can cause multiple additional symptoms to occur. Many patients have difficulty sleeping due to the pain, which leaves them fatigued throughout the day. Fibromyalgia can also be a contributing factor to depression and anxiety.

There are additional, less common fibromyalgia symptoms, including:

When these issues occur along with multisite pain, they can indicate fibromyalgia.

Diagnosis

The primary determining factor in fibromyalgia diagnosis is how widespread the pain has become. When you see a doctor regarding pain, they’ll ask questions about your experience and potentially press certain areas of the body to gauge tenderness.

For fibromyalgia diagnosis, the body is divided into five areas:

In most cases, fibromyalgia is diagnosed only when the patient experiences chronic pain in at least four out of these five regions. In general, pain is considered chronic once it has persisted, to some degree, for at least three months.

During the diagnosis process, the doctor will perform a variety of tests. These tests rule out other conditions that could be behind the symptoms. A series of blood tests are often required to test blood cell counts, thyroid activity, and more.

Treatment

These symptoms leave people in need of an effective method of how to treat fibromyalgia . There isn’t any known cure for this condition, so treatment focuses on relieving pain and other symptoms. There are several different routes that treatment can take.

In some cases, pain relievers can help. However, many pain relievers carry various side effects, including some being addictive. Doctors can also prescribe antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs when appropriate.

Many patients are turning to chiropractic treatment to manage their pain. Spinal adjustments and massages can provide effective pain relief for a wide range of chronic conditions. These treatments can often relieve pain caused by fibromyalgia and also help with soreness and muscle stiffness.

Chiropractic Care in Vancouver

If you’re suffering from symptoms of fibromyalgia, Kilian Chiropractic can provide effective relief. Many patients find that chiropractic care is a great way to manage their pain. You can reach our office at 604-688-0724 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today.