Many patients are labeled with fibromyalgia simply because they have chronic soft tissue pain. But it is important, at least for the sake of correctness, that not all chronic soft tissue pain be called fibromyalgia.
In fact, localized or regional pain is often due to myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), a rather common condition which affects certain muscle areas. MPS is often present in the fibromyalgia patient, but not all MPS patients also suffer from fibromyalgia.
MPS generally involves pain in the neck, shoulders, hips, back, jaw and head. This pain is often accompanied by stiffness or tightness. It is important that the doctor listen to the patient to learn where the pain is most intense. And because MPS is not diagnosed with a lab test or x-ray, it is important that the doctor carefully examine the patient.
Trauma is a common cause of MPS, in the form of muscle strain or ligament and tendon sprain; or as a result of chronic trauma due to repetitive work injury, or altered posture d…

Fibromyalgia symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain can be tied to your environment. Learn how pain can be affected by reactions to light, sound, or smell.
Sensitivity to environmental stimulation, including bright lights, loud noises, and even certain smells, can make living with fibromyalgia particularly challenging. You might wake up each morning wondering what new trigger may exacerbate your fibromyalgia symptoms. "I deal with everything on a day-to-day basis," says Stephanie Parker of Dover, Del., who believes her symptoms are consistent with fibromyalgia but has not yet been formally diagnosed. The symptoms keep her from participating in daily family activities, such as watching her kids' ballgames in the afternoons.
Tina Pringle, who was diagnosed 16 years ago with fibromyalgia, says that her fibromyalgia symptoms have been overwhelming at times. "The symptoms all merge together, and because of the fatigue and brain fog, everything becomes a maze of shee…

A number of studies have shown a link between anxiety and fibromyalgia, however, the nature of the link is not yet understood. Some experts, according to a report, "Fibromyalgia," in The New York Times, "believe that fibromyalgia is not a disease, but is rather a chronic pain condition brought on by several abnormal body responses to stress." Others believe that physical injuries, emotional trauma or viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr trigger the disorder.
Fibromyalgia causes widespread and chronic pain the joints and symptoms are similar to arthritis, however, unlike arthritis, there is no inflammation in the joints. Karen Lee Richards, a patient expert at HealthCentral.com, states the additional symptoms of fibromyalgia include: FatigueSleep ProblemsCognitive DysfunctionSensitivity to Cold and/or HeatDepressionAnxietyDigestive ProblemsHeadachesHypersensitivity The Anxiety Disorders Association of America indicates that approximately 20 percent of those with f…

Many people who battle fibromyalgia symptoms also deal with depression. Discover five fibromyalgia therapy strategies that may help relieve depression.
Most fibromyalgia patients are exhausted all the time and suffer from painful muscles and joints. But these aren’t the only common symptoms of fibromyalgia — at least one fourth of fibromyalgia patients also have some form of depression. In fact, adult fibromyalgia patients are much more likely than those without fibromyalgia to be depressed.
The link between fibromyalgia symptoms and depression makes sense. First, coping with the severe pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia can be frustrating and disruptive to your lifestyle. And fibromyalgia symptoms can also lead you through unchartered territory as you work through a maze of health care providers. How Depression Can Make Fibromyalgia Symptoms Worse Like other people with depression, fibromyalgia patients often experience a loss of interest in their favorite activities and feel lonely, t…

Some patients fear that chiropractic care for fibromyalgia may aggravate pain. But it is both safe and proven to reduce pain from fibromyalgia. Chiropractic Care for Fibromyalgia: Does It Work? Many fibromyalgia patients seek natural treatment for fibromyalgia, and chiropractic care is one of the most frequently considered, especially for pain management and to improve the range of motion of joints. This form of medicine is based on the principle that the body has the ability to self-heal and recover from a disease. The nervous system runs between the spine and carries messages from the brain to every cell of the body. When the vertebrae are restricted, locked or misaligned there will be pressure on the nerves and symptoms will occur. For this reason, a chiropractor will perform “adjustments” using gentle pressure, stretching or certain high velocity thrusts to bring the vertebrae to optimal position and restore health. Research Studies on Chiropractic Care for Fibromyalgia A study c…

Terren D. Klein, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who provides excellent orthopedic treatment, procedures and care to their patients to heal them faster. Along with the treatment of immediate or chronic problems, Dr. Klein strives to integrate the doctrine of prevention in all treatment plans as a way to alleviate possible future difficulties. As told by Dr. Klein, he had always wanted to be a physician, following in the footsteps of his father. He would make hospital rounds alongside him, remembering how content he would feel by helping other feel better. Then, it wasn't until his years in medical school, rotating in orthopedic surgery, where he observed the ability of repairing bones and reconstructing injured joints, that he saw the amazing benefits of orthopedics.  For Dr. Terren Klein, being able to help of all ages, from infants to the elderly, seeing them overcome their injuries and resuming their healthy lifestyles, appealed to him greatly. "I am convinced that h…

If you have fibromyalgia, you know what it's like to live with the chronic pain and stiffness it can cause. And while medication and therapy are key to controlling symptoms, incorporating physical activity can vastly improve your quality of life. "Try to keep moving—that's my motto for patients," says Maura Daly Iversen, PT, DPT, SD, MPH, spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. "The less you move, the more pain and fatigue you'll feel." Exercise can also help you sleep better and reduce your need for pain meds, as well as improve your mood: "So often, the pain of fibromyalgia leads to depression," adds Iversen. "Working out is a great, healthy way to manage both conditions." Here are the top five fibro-friendly workouts, plus tips and tricks to help you ease in and hurt less: (Check with your doctor before starting any program.) Walking It's an excellent form of light aerobic exercise, which provides a list of…

Fibromyalgia is a widely misunderstood and sometimes misdiagnosed chronic condition, commonly characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, concentration issues, and sleep problems. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it affects an estimated 10 million people, mainly women, in the United States alone. The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from one person to the next and may fluctuate even in a single individual, depending on such factors as time of day or the weather. Because it is a chronic condition, in most cases fibromyalgia symptoms never disappear entirely. The good news is that fibromyalgia isn't progressive or life-threatening, and treatments can help alleviate many symptoms. Fibromyalgia: The Symptoms The symptoms of fibromyalgia and their severity vary widely, although pain and fatigue are nearly always present. Major symptoms of fibromyalgia include: Pain. Some fibromyalgia patients report discomfort in one or more specific areas of their bo…