Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and affects approximately 10 million people in the U.S., predominantly women aged 25-55. Diagnosis is based on experiencing widespread pain for over three months, with a treatment plan tailored to individual symptoms and involving medications, physical therapy, and self-help strategies. Common treatments include over-the-counter pain relievers, exercise, relaxation techniques, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

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Top Therapies for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic health disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal
pain that affects the person’s ability to perform routine activities. It is estimated that about
10 million people in the United States suffer from the syndrome. Though the condition can
affect men, women and children, about 80-90 percent of cases are women in the 25-55
year age group.
The exact causes of this pain syndrome are unknown, but basically involve a variety of
factors working together including genetics, infections and physical or emotional trauma.
Recent research indicates that imbalances in the nervous system worsen the pain.
According to medical experts, fibromyalgia diagnosis can be made if the person has
experienced widespread pain for more than three months — in the absence of any
underlying medical condition that could cause the pain.
Symptoms:
Pain can occur in any part of the body. The common symptoms of fibromyalgia are
 Widespread pain
 Sleep disturbances
 Itchy/burning skin
 Numbness or tingling in the extremities
 Balance problems
 Brain fog
 Cognitive difficulties
 Digestive disorders
 Fatigue

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Many people also experience tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders,
irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and
depression.
How is Fibromyalgia Treated?
As the condition has many symptoms
which may differ among patients, there is
no single treatment for fibromyalgia. In
most cases, treatment would involve a
combination of medications, non-invasive
therapies and self-help strategies and
would be based on the patient’s lifestyle.
Treatment can ease some of the symptoms, help manage pain, and improve quality of life.
As part of the diagnosis, patients will be asked about their main symptoms and how these
affect their daily life. A thorough physical examination will be performed to check for visible
signs of other conditions. An appropriate treatment plan is then developed based on the
results of the tests and physical examination, and would involve the following strategies:
 Medications for pain management – Over-the-counter pain medications such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen
sodium (Aleve, others) can help to reduce severe muscle spasms.
 Physical therapy – The physical therapist will help the patient maintain proper
posture, enhance muscle function and flexibility, and avoid pain with slow stretching
exercises. Relaxation exercises may be prescribed to help reduce muscle tension.
 Chiropractic manipulation – Administered by trained chiropractors, this hands-on
modality involves spinal manipulation and realignment to reduce aches, improve
function and promote natural healing.
 Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) – The application of low
electrical simulation interacts with the sensory nervous system to reduce muscle
stiffness and pain.
Self-help strategies to manage fibromyalgia include regular exercise such as stretching,
swimming, walking, yoga, or using cardiovascular machines like stationary bikes or elliptical
trainers), maintaining regular sleeping habits and cognitive-behavioral therapy to cope
better with symptoms and stress.