Treatment Options for Fibromyalgia

Treatment Options for Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia causes aches and pain all over the body. The article discusses the symptoms of the condition and treatment modalities.

Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a common syndrome that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by sleep problems, fatigue and mood issues. The exact causes of this condition are unknown, but a combination of various factors like genetics, traumatic injury, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders are believed to cause this disorder. Established multispecialty healthcare centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer effective treatment to relieve fibromyalgia pain and prevent flare-ups of symptoms.

Symptoms of FMS Reports from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), suggest that around 5 million adults aged 18 years or over in the United States suffer from fibromyalgia. In fact, about 80 to 90 percent of fibromyalgia patients are women. The severe pain can affect your ability to work or do daily activities.

Symptoms generally appear following a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In some cases, there is no single triggering event and symptoms gradually build up over time.

Common symptoms of the condition include - tenderness to touch or pressure (affecting muscles and sometimes joints or even the skin), severe fatigue, tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, and difficulties with memory and concentration, known as "fibro-fog". Some people may also experience symptoms like –

Problems with vision Nausea Pelvic and urinary problems Weight gain Dizziness Cold or flu-like symptoms Skin problems Depression and anxiety Breathing problems

Treatment Diagnosing FMS can be difficult as certain signs and symptoms are quite similar to those of other medical conditions. The condition is generally diagnosed by evaluating patient medical history, symptoms, manual tender point examination, physical examination, and complete blood count tests. As there is no single treatment modality for managing fibromyalgia, a combination of treatment modalities is used to help alleviate the intensity of symptoms. Pain management centers in Brooklyn, NYC, provide treatment to ease the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia using nonsurgical options:

✓ Physical therapy –

Physical therapy exercises includes strengthening, stretching, aerobic

and isometric exercises to reduce pain, strengthen the muscles, and enhance flexibility.

✓ Chiropractic care – Administered by trained chiropractors, chiropractic treatment involves using spinal manipulation and realignment techniques to reduce pain, improve function, and promote natural healing.

✓ Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – This involves

the use of

low-voltage electrical simulation which interacts with the sensory nervous system to decrease muscle stiffness and pain.

✓ Pain management injections – Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) can help reduce inflammation, minimize muscular aches and improve sleep quality.

As FMS causes widespread muscle and joint pain, living with this condition can seriously interfere with or affect your routine activities. Managing these symptoms effectively helps in improving quality of life.

Making small lifestyle changes such as doing moderate exercises, maintaining good sleep patterns, consuming nutrient-rich food, and reducing stress can help you better manage FMS symptoms.