What is Fibromyalgia?

Mar 21, 2002 - © Paul B. Murray

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is an illness characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points.  Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons.  The pain associated with Fibromyalgia can be described as an aching or burning sensation from head-to-toe accompanied by muscle spasms.  FMS effects 18-20 different muscle groups throughout the body.

 In 1816, Fibromylagia was discovered by William Blafour, but people have been suffering from this illness for years prior to his discovery.  It wasn't until 1987 that the American Medical Association finally recognized FMS as a real illness.

The causes of Fibromyalgia are unknown, but there are triggers events that proceed this illness such as an infection or automobile accident.  Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness with periods of symptoms that wax and wean. Researchers have found that Fibromyalgia often runs in families.  This suggests that the illness is inherited.  Approximately 7 to 10 million Americans or 2 to 4 % of the American population has FMS.  Though FMS effects both men and women, women make up a majority of those suffering from FMS. 

Currently there is no diagnostic medical test that can be given to diagnose FMS.  Fibromylagia is diagnosed by finding multiple tender points in characteristic locations.  The American College of Rheumatology established formal criteria for diagnosing Fibromyalgia in 1990.  To meet the diagnostic criteria, patients must have:

  1. Widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for at least three months
  2. At least 11 of the 18 specified tender points

Other common symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia include fatigue, sleep disorder, cognitive impairments, numbness and tingling sensations, irritable bowel symptoms, and more.

There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia.  Treatment for Fibromylagia include exercise, medication, and physical therapy.  A gentle program of stretching and aerobic exercise is necessary to help counteract the tendency for deconditioning that leads to progressive dysfunction in fibromylagia patients.  Improvement of quality of sleep is a contributing factor for the recovery or improvement from fibromyalgia. Fibromylagia patients have found that acupuncture helps in the treatment of pain.  Medications are prescribed by doctors to help manage FMS in there patients.  The following list are of

The copyright of the article What is Fibromyalgia? in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is owned by Paul B. Murray. Permission to republish What is Fibromyalgia? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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