Fibromyalgia Guide

Fibromyalgia syndrome is not a disease process, but it is a serious chronic problem that affects 2 to 4 percent of the population. The direct causes of fibromyalgia are as yet unknown, and there is no cure. Luckily, the syndrome is not terminal, and it can be treated to reduce its effects.

The symptoms of the disease include muscle and joint stiffness and tenderness, widespread chronic pain, and a lack of restorative sleep (often referred to as "stage four sleep"). It often accompanies other conditions, like auto-immune disorders and chronic fatigue. As such, fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed as depression or hypochondria. But fibromyalgia is neither (though it may lead, in some cases, to either disorder). Rather, fibromyalgia seems to stem from an overabundance of Substance P, a neurotransmitter that regulates anxiety, nausea, and pain. This abundance leads to a diminished pain threshold. People with fibromyalgia may feel intense pain from even small cuts or bumps, and they don't often know why.

Fibromyalgia can be properly diagnosed by a rheumatologist, though most medical practitioners can verify it with a tender-point test. While the condition is not terminal, it is usually progressive, so an early diagnosis and treatment are desirable. Sometimes, the symptoms seem to disappear for periods of time, only to resurface later on. When the symptoms return, they often do so accompanied by an unrelated disease, or perhaps a sudden severe change in the weather (severe cold, especially, has been shown to aggravate and in some cases revive fibromyalgia symptoms).

Although there is no sure cause of the disorder, several basic culprits have been deduced: physical injury, especially neck injury and repetitive stress injuries. 20 percent of serious neck injury patients develop signs of secondary fibromyalgia, which is less treatable than primary fibromyalgia. Surgery that leads to severe trauma, especially in the spine, often produces fibromyalgia symptoms as well. Patients treated for ankylosing spondylitis (a spinal inflammatory condition), Hepatitis C, and Lyme disease also tend to develop fibromyalgia (about 1 in 5 patients), and women are often affected more than men.

Treatments vary on an individual basis, though most treatments involve changes in diet (including the use of certain supplements) to improve sleep quality, natural restorative properties, and overall nutrition and well-being. Proper sleep is absolutely necessary for persons diagnosed with fibromyalgia, as stage four sleep heals small wounds like muscle tears. Unfortunately, the symptoms of the condition often bar people from achieving stage four sleep.

Therapeutic massage is a very good way to alleviate the pains and soreness associated with fibromyalgia. While a deep tissue massage may not be very helpful, lighter massages like Shiatsu or Swedish methods may significantly improve a patient's comfort levels and may help induce healthy, natural sleep. A daily, fifteen minute massage should be sufficient to mitigate fibromyalgia symptoms. If it's too difficult to get a daily professional massage, consider investing in a high quality robotic massage chair (particularly one that scans your body for an individual massage experience, as this is less likely to aggravate symptoms).