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 s many as one million Canadians don’t have to imagine this scenario; they live the reality of fibromyalgia every day. Often misunderstood because it’s an invisible syndrome with no known cause, fibro-myalgia results in constant fatigue and widespread chronic pain in soft tissue including muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. Some describe it as ‘unrelenting pain’, particularly in the neck, shoulders, chest and back.
Fibromyalgia is one of the most common pain disorders and affects more women than men. Most are diagnosed between age 20 and 50, but children do get it; because incidence increases with age, seniors are at greater risk. Regardless of age, fibromyalgia can be seriously disabling for individuals and their families.
To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a person must experience pain on both sides of their body above and below the waist for at least three months. Then, doctors test for pain in 18 known tender points all over the body; fibromyalgia is diagnosed if at least 11 of these points are tender or painful. Often, fibromyalgia accompanies other conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, headaches, arthritis (osteo and rheumatoid), or lupus. This only adds to the challenge of getting an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Likewise, there is no blood test or x-ray to confirm a diagnosis, so it’s important to have a doctor committed to working through the clinical process.
Why does it hurt?
Research has yet to uncover a cause
or cure but evidence suggests the condition involves abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system, causing individuals with fibro-myalgia to feel more pain than others. Researchers have discovered common genetic factors and physiological abnormalities amongst people with fibromyalgia, including alterations in pituitary, adrenal and hypothalamic functioning, hyporeactive autonomic
nervous system responsiveness to
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stressors, and structural and functional
changes in the brain. It’s unknown yet whether these alterations are the cause or the affect of fibromyalgia.
Feeling better + reasons for hope
Fibromyalgia requires medical treatment, complementary therapies and ongoing support to help manage symptoms and balance a variety of emotions.
Canadian Clinical Guidelines (2005) best treatments:
- Medication: to reduce pain and help alleviate sleep disturbances and other symptoms
- Physical therapies: to encourage relaxation and improve health of muscles and tissue (massage, chiropractic, acupuncture)
- Counselling: to provide emotional support and build coping skills.
Self-management is critical to feeling better:
- Reduce stress: a known trigger, stress also creates muscle tension in areas most affected by the condition (head, neck, shoulders, back)
- Sufficient sleep: helps combat the fatigue related
to the condition and gives the body a chance to heal
- Exercise: gentle, low intensity exercise (walking, stretching, yoga, swimming) helps maintain mobility and flexibility; may help reduce symptoms
- Pace yourself: keep activity consistent and regular – don’t overdo it on good days
- Healthy lifestyle: eat well, drink lots of water, limit caffeine and alcohol and take a daily multivitamin. Do something that brings you joy every day.
While researchers explore questions about cause and cure, scientists are studying brain imaging and surgery as tools for diagnosis and treatment. Until we have the answers, public awareness along with compassion will make a meaningful difference for Canadians living with fibromyalgia and their families. H&L |
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