Muscular pain, tingling, burning, and numbness are common symptoms of a repetitive strain injury. However, these symptoms are also common in a condition called Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia basically means pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It affects mostly women and up to 4% of the general population.

The pain of Fibromyalgia occurs in areas where the muscles attach to bone or ligaments and is similar to the pain of arthritis. The joints themselves are not affected, however, so they are not deformed nor do they deteriorate as they may in arthritic conditions. The pain typically originates in one area, usually the neck and shoulders, and then radiates out. Most patients report feeling some pain all the time; and many describe it as "exhausting." The pain can vary, depending on the time of day, weather changes, physical activity, and the presence of stressful situations; it has been described as stiffness, burning, stabbing, sudden, radiating, and aching. The pain is often more intense after disturbed sleep.

The other major complaint is fatigue, which some patients report as being more debilitating than the pain. Fatigue and sleep disturbances are, in fact, almost universal in patients with Fibromyalgia, due to lack of serotonin in the blood.

Several years ago Fibromyalgia was a disability categorized as "psychological".  It's hard to understand how it feels to be told you are mentally having a problem when your body will not perform what you are asking it to do.  How can that possibly be mental?  Patients were, in effect, being told it was "all in your head". Fortunately, the medical field has produced enough research to re-classify it as a true physical disability that is often paired with studies and treatments for arthritis and rheumatism.

People with FMS have the additional stress and frustration in their lives of trying to explain (all the time) why today they can do almost anything and the next day they can barely get out of bed. Depression is a frequent side-effect of FMS and who can question it? Living with a body-wide toothache-like pain constantly is something only fellow sufferers can truly understand.

Spouses, family and others in your life have a hard time figuring out how you feel when you have FMS or chronic fatigue syndrome.  There are times when you were accused of not pulling your own weight, or just plain faking it.  Many are accused of wanting extra attention. 

There is simply no way for anyone to understand what is going on internally with the Fibromyalgic body because you look absolutely normal, yet you feel like you will never perform normally again. 

Here is a brief list of common symptoms of this disease:

• Chronic pain throughout the body
• Burning, numbness and tingling
• Tenderness when pressure is placed on or around the neck, elbows, hips, thighs and knees.
• Sleep disorders
• Chronic fatigue or exhaustion
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Facial Pain
• Jaw Pain (TMJ)
• Memory Loss
• Irritable Bowel
• Tension or Migraine Headaches
• High sensitivity to foods and medications (allergic type reaction).
• Minimal tolerance to heat and cold
• High sensitivity to bright lights and sounds
• Hair Loss

Because symptoms develop gradually, this disease is often misdiagnosed. Based on the American College of Rheumatology a person is diagnosed with Fibromyalgia when he or she suffers pain throughout the body for at least three months and has 11 out of 18 tender points present.

Who Is Affected

Experts estimate that 3 million to 6 million Americans have Fibromyalgia. Of these, 80 percent are women between the ages of 20 and 50.

Causes

Experts do not know what causes Fibromyalgia. There are several theories about possible causes or triggers. Inadequate sleep is a possible trigger. Another is suffering an injury or physical or emotional trauma that affects the brain, spine and nerves. Some experts believe that a viral or bacterial infection plays a part.

Abnormal production of pain-related chemicals in the nervous system also contributes to the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. It's thought that any one of these factors may bring on the symptoms of Fibromyalgia in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition.

Treatment includes the following:

• Change in diet and nutrition
• Supplements geared toward Fibromyalgia
• Exercise: Gentle stretching such as warm water stretches and light aerobic activity, if possible.
• Physical Therapy under the guidance of a Chiropractor or Naturopathic
• Massage Therapy
• Avoidance of activities that over stress the body (Consider keeping a journal)
• Regulate sleep patterns
• Avoiding emotional stress

At Home Treatments For Fibromyalgia

Nutrition is very important with this condition as with any serious physical condition.  Avoid caffeine products, sugar, processed foods and fried foods.  Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) is often a factor in causing the person with Fibromyalgia to feel fatigued.  That is why a good nutrition program is very important, eating frequent small meals with some protein is important in keeping the blood levels even. 

Whole grains, seeds, nuts, yogurt, chicken, Turkey, organic beef, eggs, natural cheese and cottage cheese should form the base of your diet accompanied by Appropriate vegetables and a minimum amount of fruit.

A good quality multi-vitamin is absolutely essential with this condition.  It's important to replace what the body loses daily.  If a person takes no other supplement but a multi-vitamin they're helping to support their body daily.  Co Q 10, in soft gel form 100mg, taken three times daily, on an empty stomach, can help increase energy dramatically.

There's no definite cure for Fibromyalgia but there are certainly many alternative methods that can help you improve the quality of your life.

I find that deep tissue massage therapy performed regularly really keeps down the pain.  When I’m going through a really bad time I always get a massage.  It works better than any medicine. 

Physical therapy that is performed at home is very important for Fibromyalgia.  Warm water stretches performed at least three times weekly can be of tremendous help keeping the joints and muscles flexible.  A Jacuzzi or hot tub is without a doubt one of the best treatments you can do at home, not only does it improve circulation you can also perform warm water stretches in it.

A hot bath with one pound of dissolved Epsom salts can do wonders as the Epsom salts draws out lactic acid that forms on the muscles.  Afterwards, if you have something shaped like a cylinder and made out of hard material (think of a large plastic rolling pin you would use for pizza dough) place it under the painful muscle area and push down and roll it back and forth...this should massage the spasms and knots out of your muscles. It will hurt while you're doing it, but more so the type of pain that actually feels good, in the long run.  Afterwards massage an analgesic cream into the area.  You will start feeling better very quickly. 

Using a moist heating pad on areas of pain for 20 minutes can ease the pain.

Take 500mg of calcium and magnesium every evening.  This will have a relaxing affect on the muscles. 

Take a proactive role in learning about Fibromyalgia to help control it, and be vigilant about following your treatment plan. Emotional support is very important too. Living with Fibromyalgia may be difficult if your family, friends or employer do not understand the condition. Seek out supportive family, friends, clergy, support groups or a mental health counselor.

™®©2010 Cherokee Billie