Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome where people have a group of symptoms at the same time that diminish their quality of life. The most common symptom is extreme, chronic pain all over the body. It is also commonly associated with extreme sensitivity to pressure in muscles and the connective tissues surrounding the muscles. Some patients suffering from fibromyalgia also report symptoms of debilitating fatigue, sleeping more than usual, cognitive dysfunction, and joint stiffness. Because the symptoms are long-term (three months or longer) and widespread, they can interrupt a person’s life. It may prevent you from performing routine daily tasks or even your ability to go to work. Fibromyalgia is often compared to arthritis because it causes pain and fatigue but it does not cause redness, swelling or damage to your joints.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, fibromyalgia affects about four million American ages 18 and older and is more common in women than in men. Although, it has been seen in men, children and adolescents as well. Other risk factors include being obese, being under a lot of stress, trauma, aging, smoking and many more.

The actual causes of this condition are still unknown. There are many speculations that include:

• Physical trauma-Any extreme injury or trauma can lead to this condition. This can include many things from a bad car wreck to fighting in a war or simply any repetitive injury.
• Prolonged stress or psychological factors -Prolonged stress, including emotional stress, has been linked to the onset of this painful condition. This can include a traumatic event that has led to PTSD or perhaps the death of a loved one.
• Predisposition in genetic background-Like with many other conditions, it is believed to run in families. It is likely that a person is born with the genes that will increase the risk of getting this medical diagnosis.
• Autoimmune disorders-This is when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissue. Examples are rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

One theory suggests that people with fibromyalgia may not process pain the same way compared to a person that does not have the condition. This means they are more sensitive to pain and have a more severe reaction to pain.

For patients suffering from debilitating pain, our team at Clearway can help you manage your chronic pain. Our Board Certified Physicians will meet one on one with you during a consultation to understand the nature of your chronic pain. We will discuss your complete medical history as well as past and present medications. After we complete a thorough physical examination, then we will be able to create a treatment plan based on your specific needs to help you find relief from your pain. The goal of treatment is to improve the quality of life through personalized treatment planning.

There is no cure for this condition but we offer treatments to help you control it. Our physicians have years of experience treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Contact Clearyway today to schedule a consultation.