Physical therapy often follows a direct approach, which perhaps you will cringe if your pain is located in multiple points of pressure sensitivities. However, physical therapy uses gentle methods, effective and there are great chances to play a major role in the treatment of symptoms caused by fibromyalgia.

There are various techniques of physiotherapy. Passive treatments relax your body and includes a deep tissue massage, therapy hot and cold hydrotherapy, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and ultrasound.

Your physical therapy program usually begins with passive treatments. When you're ready, you will continue with active treatment that will strengthen your body and prevent further pain fibromyalgia. Your physical therapist will work with you on a appropriate treatment plan.

Passive treatments

• Un massage des Tissus en Profondeur : À moins que vous ne ressentiez une douleur extrême, un massage des tissus en profondeur est un traitement idéal de la fibromyalgie car il utilise beaucoup la pression pour soulager les tensions musculaires profondes et les spasmes. Ces derniers empêchent les muscles de bouger dans les zones affectées, ce qui est l'une des raisons pour lesquelles les personnes fibromyalgiques souffrent d'une mobilité diminuée. Les techniques de kinésithérapie, parmi lesquelles un massage des tissus en profondeur, vous aideront à utiliser vos muscles de manière plus efficace. Ce traitement peut être combiné à des thérapies par le chaud et le froid pour augmenter ses avantages.

• La Thérapie par le Chaud : C'est l'une des méthodes privilégiées pour réduire les douleurs chroniques associées à la fibromyalgie. La chaleur déclenche le processus de guérison naturel du corps en détendant vos muscles et en accélérant le flux sanguin vers la zone affectée. Le sang supplémentaire délivre plus d'oxygène et de nutriments. Le sang élimine également les « déchets » produits par les spasmes musculaires.

Il se peut que la chaleur n'élimine pas complètement l'origine de votre douleur mais elle peut réduire celle-ci de manière efficace. Cette thérapie est utilisée de plusieurs façons : avec une chaleur sèche (un coussin chauffant ou une serviette chaude et sèche) ou une chaleur humide (de la vapeur ou un tissu chaud et humide)

• La Thérapie par le froid : Tandis que la thérapie par le chaud est plus efficace sur les douleurs chroniques, la thérapie par le froid (également appelée cryothérapie) apaise l'inflammation et la douleur vive des points de pression. Cette thérapie ralentit la circulation, ce qui réduit le gonflement. Votre kinésithérapeute placera peut-être une compresse froide sur la zone ciblée, pratiquera un massage à la glace ou même utilisera un spray connu sous le nom de fluorométhane pour refroidir les tissus enflammés. La thérapie par le chaud et celle par le froid proposent toutes deux leurs propres avantages, et votre kinésithérapeute alternera peut être ces deux méthodes pour un résultat optimal.

• L'hydrothérapie : Comme son nom l'indique, l'hydrothérapie implique de l'eau. C'est un traitement passif dans lequel vous aurez juste à vous asseoir dans un bain à remous pour soulager votre douleur, détendre vos muscles et conditionner votre corps sans ajouter un stress inutile.

• La TENS (Neurostimulation électrique transcutanée) : Une machine TENS utilise le courant électrique pour stimuler vos muscles. Cela paraît intense, mais ce n'est réellement pas douloureux. Les électrodes collées à votre peau envoient un léger courant électrique vers les points clé de votre chemin nerveux. La TENS réduit les spasmes musculaires et déclenche la libération d'endorphines, les analgésiques naturels de votre organisme.

• Les Ultrasons : Cette thérapie utilise des ondes acoustiques pour créer une douce chaleur qui augmentera la circulation sanguine vers vos tissus profonds. Les ultrasons aident à réduire les spasmes musculaires, l'inflammation, la raideur et la douleur et s'avère particulièrement efficace pour améliorer mobilité des personnes souffrant de douleurs chroniques, en comparaison à celles victimes de problèmes inflammatoires vifs.

Les Traitements Actifs

Les traitements actifs améliorent l'équilibre, la souplesse, la force et les mouvements des articulations. Un programme d'exercices peut également être prescrit pour obtenir un résultat optimal. Celui-ci atténuera votre douleur récurrente mais aussi améliorera votre santé générale. Votre kinésithérapeute développera avec vous un programme en se basant sur vos symptômes spécifiques et vos antécédents médicaux.

Les traitements actifs travaillent sur:

• L'équilibre : Vos muscles abdominaux jouent un rôle plus important dans votre santé globale que ce que vous pourriez penser. Des muscles abdominaux forts aident les muscles de votre dos à soutenir votre colonne. Cette zone est un peu la centrale électrique de votre corps. Naturellement, une zone abdominale saine apporte à votre corps un point de centrage fort et stable.
• La souplesse et le renforcement des muscles : Votre mobilité sera probablement limitée si vous ressentez une douleur due à la fibromyalgie. Grâce à des exercices d'étirement et de renforcement personnalisés, votre kinésithérapeute vous aidera à allonger et à renforcer vos muscles, il améliorera également la mobilité de vos articulations. Des muscles forts et fins gèrent mieux la douleur.
• L'Hydrothérapie: Des exercices à base d'eau peuvent être recommandés pour proposer un conditionnement aérobique en douceur.

Votre kinésithérapeute vous apprendra des principes “d'auto-traitement” afin que vous sachiez mieux comment traiter vos symptômes. L'objectif final est que vous soyez assez renseigné sur le sujet pour contrôler vos symptômes. Il est primordial que vous appreniez les exercices et que vous les continuiez après que la thérapie officielle soit terminée. Si vous n'arrivez pas à vous tenir à la remise en forme, vous ne profiterez pas des résultats à long-terme de votre kinésithérapie. En prenant vous-même soin de votre dos, vous réduirez les douleurs fibromyalgiques à venir.

Exercise and fibromyalgia may resemble a mismatched couple. When you experience chronic widespread pain, it is understandable that you do not want to spend hours in a gym. La simple pensée de faire de l'exercice peut évoquer des images plutôt intenses (ex : un tapis roulant décourageant d'avance et des haltères lourdes et froides).

Mais en réalité, l'exercice fait partie intégrante d'un bon traitement de la fibromyalgie. Voici quelques uns des avantages de l'exercice pour les patients fibromyalgiques :

• Il renforce vos muscles . Des muscles fins, flexibles et forts combattent le stress. Des muscles forts soutiennent également mieux votre corps et vos os, ce qui facilite le mouvement et le soutien.
• Il augmente l'énergie . Les personnes fibromyalgiques sont souvent victimes d'une fatigue débilitante et une activité physique régulière peut aider à booster leur énergie et leur niveau d'endurance.
• Il favorise un sommeil reposant . La recherche a montré que faire de l'exercice vous aide à vous endormir et à rester endormi plus longtemps. Les troubles du sommeil sont un symptôme courant de la fibromyalgie et aggravent la douleur répandue. Un meilleur sommeil signifie moins de douleur.
• Il améliore votre santé mentale . Faire de l'exercice réduit le stress, l'anxiété et la dépression, des symptômes fréquemment associés à la fibromyalgie.
• Il empêche de prendre du poid s. Au plus votre poids est important, au plus vous infligez de stress à votre corps, ce qui entraîne la douleur. De l'exercice combiné à un régime équilibré, vous aidera à atteindre ou à garder un poids sain.

Par où Commencer

La première étape est de rester réaliste. Vous ne devez pas passer des heures à la salle de sport, et votre entraînement doit se limiter à des mini séances. Vous pouvez travailler votre forme physique, ce qui renforcera votre dos et combattra la douleur due à la fibromyalgie, grâce à de simples exercices d'étirement, d'aérobique et de force qui ne nécessitent pas trop de temps : 3 à 4 fois par semaine pendant 30 à 40 minutes sont des recommandations largement acceptables.

Il est important de retenir que la progression est la clé du succès dans n'importe quelle remise en forme. Par exemple, ne commencez pas un entraînement de force avant d'avoir entrepris un programme d'étirement et d'aérobique. Si vous ne démarrez pas en douceur, vous pourriez vous faire plus de mal que de bien.

Les Exercices à Faire

Commencez par entamer un programme d'étirement quotidien pour allonger les muscles tendus et favoriser la flexibilité. Votre docteur vous recommandera peut-être d'ajouter des types d'exercices cardiovasculaires, tels que la marche ou la natation.

Lorsque vous vous sentirez à l'aise, peut-être aurez vous envie de suivre des cours d'aérobique ou d'ajouter à votre programme cardiovasculaire un entraînement de force. Le Yoga et le Pilates peuvent être de bons entraînements de force car ils utilisent le poids de votre propre corps pour faire résistance.

Parlez à votre docteur ou à votre kinésithérapeute des exercices qui vous conviennent le plus. Il vous faudra prendre en compte votre douleur et votre forme physique et vous aurez envie de dire à votre docteur quelles activités vous préférez afin d'augmenter vos chances de suivre le programme jusqu'au bout. Ensemble, vous développerez un programme d'exercices qui vous aidera à gérer les symptômes de votre fibromyalgie et à améliorer la qualité de votre vie.

Nombreux sont les médicaments qui pourront peut-être traiter vos symptômes, mais n'oubliez pas qu'à ce jour, la fibromyalgie ne peut pas se soigner. La plupart des médicaments aident à traiter une partie des symptômes. For example, your doctor may refer you to relieve your insomnia sleeping pills or antidepressants to boost your morale. Based on your specific symptoms, he developed a treatment that suits you.

The FDA has approved three drugs to treat fibromyalgia: pregabalin (brand name Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella). Lyrica is an anticonvulsant, and Cymbalta while Savella are antidepressants. But these are not your only options. Indeed, there are many drugs that treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Antidepressants

About 30% of fibromyalgia patients also suffer from depression or some form of mood disorders. In many cases, antidepressants are used as first line of defense in treating fibromyalgia. Doctors usually prescribe one or more antidepressants, grouped into three classes: tricyclic antidepressants, inhibitors of the serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

• Les antidépresseurs tricycliques : Ils améliorent l'humeur, atténuent la douleur et répondent aux problèmes de sommeil en augmentant le niveau des neurotransmetteurs calmants dans le cerveau. Among the possible side effects, there are drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth and eyes and constipation. Amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil) and nortriptyline (Pamelor) are examples of tricyclic antidepressants.

• Les IRSN : Cette classe d'antidépresseurs augmente la sérotonine et la noradrénaline en arrêtant leur recapture (réabsorption) dans les cellules du cerveau. A high level of these chemical molecules helps maintain mental balance and reduces the pain you feel. Among the side effects, there are dizziness, insomnia and somnolence. Thus, your doctor may prescribe a tricyclic antidepressant also be to minimize disturbance of sleep. Cymbalta and Savella are examples of IRSN.

• SSRIs: They are among the newer types of antidepressants and improve morale by allowing a greater amount of serotonin to flow between neurons. Plus de sérotonine signifie une perception plus faible de la douleur. (SSRIs are very similar to SNRIs, the main difference is that SNRIs have an effect on serotonin and norepinephrine). SSRIs can help reduce fatigue, which is one of the most debilitating symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, SSRIs have defects. Like the SSRIs, they can interfere with sleep. Thus, your doctor may prescribe a tricyclic antidepressant also be to prevent any disturbance of sleep. Hydrochloride fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft) are SSRIs.

AEDs

Le Lyrica est un antiépileptique (ou anticonvulsant) qui se trouve également être le premier médicament à avoir été approuvé par la FDA pour traiter spécifiquement la fibromyalgie. La relation entre le Lyrica et la fibromyalgie n'est pas exactement connue mais les recherches suggèrent qu'il diminue les signaux de la douleur envoyés par les nerfs endommagés, réduisant ainsi la douleur que vous ressentez.

Other anticonvulsants such as gabapentin (Neurotontin) are also used to treat symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, such as TMJ disorder (TMJ) and myofascial pain.

Muscle relaxants

Le décontractant musculaire cyclobenzaprine (Cycloflex et Flexeri) est souvent utilisé au début du traitement de la fibromyalgie pour détendre les muscles contractés et améliorer la qualité du sommeil. The muscle relaxants can also significantly reduce the disturbance of the MTA and other pains associated with fibromyalgia.

Other Drugs

• Prescription-free options such as e-anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin, are considered ineffective in treating fibromyalgia symptoms if taken alone. But combined with another drug for fibromyalgia, such as an antidepressant, may help relieve pain.

NSAIDs and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are useful for treating pain "ordinary" that accompany fibromyalgia headaches and menstrual pain, to name a few.

• Benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax, relax muscles, improving sleep quality and reduce the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (often associated with fibromyalgia). Even if they can relieve some of your symptoms, benzodiazepines act by weakening the central nervous system and create dependence. Supervision by a doctor is very important if you are taking these medicines.

• The non-narcotic analgesics such as tramadol (Ultram) is stronger than acetaminophen but not create a dependency as do narcotics. They act in the brain to balance the perception of pain.

• Opioid analgesics such as oxycodone (OxyContin) must be used as a last resort.

Warning

The drugs have side effects and other factors you should consider. Talk in advance of each medication with your doctor, even if it is sold without a prescription and does not a priori risk.

Fibromyalgia is an epidemic and disabling myofascial problem. A typical patient will say that he hurt all over, sleep poorly and feel tired and chronically depressed. Some doctors who are also MEI (Independent Medical Examiners) say that chiropractic treatment is not appropriate for these patients. Deemed a CHM Oregon wrote me after reading some of my articles on myofascial therapy. He disagreed with the doctors who give their fibromyalgia patients a series of adjustments of the spine, so he said to prohibit insurance companies from chiropractic treatment for these patients.

I did not appreciate the views of the CHM. I'd just spend a year on a study that contradicted his objection. In this study, I adjusted the C5-C6 cervical vertebrae of a subject repeatedly. This significantly reduces the irritability of their trigger points in infraspinatus. (This area is of course innervated by C5 and C6.)

The irritability of the trigger point of my subject has gradually declined under the influence of a series of neck adjustments. We found that the adjustments were more frequent than the relief of irritability of trigger point was incredibly increased. This study implies an important fact: Adjust repeatedly a fixed portion of the column may reduce the irritability of trigger points in muscles innervated by this zone.

This is what I have seen in many fibromyalgia patients on whom I performed repeated adjustments. This MEI Oregon certainly did not observe how fibromyalgia patients respond to repeated adjustments. Otherwise, it would not lead his colleagues who offer this service. Contrary to EMI, other colleagues who do not appreciate the value this discipline of chiropractic care in fibromyalgia patients.

For example, the highly respected rheumatologist Dr. Frederick Wolfe noted that chiropractic treatment was helping these patients. Dr. Wolfe is a well known researcher in the field of fibromyalgia. He is also Clinical Professor of Medicine Department of Medicine, University of Kansas. In 1985, he and his colleagues interviewed 81 patients with fibromyalgia and 81 control subjects using a structured questionnaire.

F. Wolfe wrote "In our series, we asked patients to tell us whether a drug or treatment had reduced their pain ... It is interesting to note that patients reported more benefits due to changes in their lifestyle , as rest and relaxation, that due to other interventions. Chiropractic treatment was also one of the most effective measures. "

In 1991, I talked with Dr. Wolfe in this study. He reminded me that he had used a questionnaire to obtain responses from fibromyalgia patients. "And what we have written," he said "that's what they said, even if it was not the truth. It's a bit like asking people if they have taken vitamins and if it had a beneficial effect. 50% of people say yes, but it is an association rather than cause and effect. "

I questioned him about the ranking of chiropractic among the most effective measures. He said, "I think it's a very useful remark because, you see, it's a different type of statement. Overall, one could say it's more a relationship of cause and effect. It is easier to determine and it inspires me more confidence because these are the statements of patients. They may be wrong, but maybe not. In fact, I think that's the truth. People often give us the same view. "

I asked him if he knew which treatment the patient gave chiropractors. "No," he said, "and it's funny that you called today because earlier I was a resident. We talked a little bit of chiropractic treatment, and as he is a doctor, it is not a big believer in this practice. And I said, 'You know, chiropractic treatment works at least as well as medical treatment, and for many diseases, there seems to be even more effective, "which is not part of conventional training. "

He then replied: "I think that since that time (1985, the date of the study) we have found nothing that can change our opinion about it (the fact that chiropractic is part of measures most effective.) In my opinion, given that doctors go about trouble with these problems, chiropractors are probably better. "

The adjustments in the column are of course the basis of chiropractic treatment. And I do not think I am right in saying that whatever the treatment of fibromyalgia patients have received Wolfe, they have also been adjustments to the column.

After talking to Dr. Wolfe, I found a study on spinal manipulation in patients with fibromyalgia. It was conducted by Dr. Bernard Rubin at the University of Osteopathic Medicine in Texas. He studied the effect of spinal manipulation, drugs and placebo on fibromyalgia patients. They received one of four forms of treatment:

1) placebo and no manipulation
2) placebo and handling
3) Alprazolam (also known as Xanax, a benzodiazepine), ibuprofen and no manipulation
4) alprazolam, ibuprofen and Handling

Rubin wrote that the drugs were effective. But the handling has improved sense of well-being of patients. Manipulation involved a massage paraspinal soft tissue and an adjustment of the column. The researchers used two procedures to remove obstacles that blocked muscle or bone nerve conduction and blood flow and lymphatic systems.

It is interesting to note that Dr. Wolfe, a renowned rheumatologist, is in favor of chiropractic treatment of fibromyalgia patients. The contrary opinion of some chiropractors EMI is in total contrast. These doctors are responsible for their judgments. We have good reasons to argue that the chiropractic adjustments help these patients. If the IAM does not agree, then it must answer a crucial question: "Can you prove otherwise? "

Biomedical literature tells us one thing: The evidence to the contrary does not exist, except in the minds of some harmful EMI. For humanitarian reasons, these examiners should face reality: the available evidence (although weak) promotes chiropractic care fibromyalgia patients. These patients in pain deserve any advantage they can gain from any form of care. And considering the current evidence, chiropractic seems to make a few.

Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Alternative therapies are sure to improve your overall health. That is why some fibromyalgia patients choose to treat the symptoms common. Various alternatives can improve your pain: from acupuncture to biofeedback through herbs and meditation.

If you are considering these treatments, you should consult a practitioner of unconventional medicine (UM), that is to say, a complementary and alternative medicine. This designation may be blurred: in fact, even if alternative medicine and complementary medicine following the same methods, they are different because the alternative forms are used instead of conventional medicine, while complementary therapies are used in addition to conventional medicine.

Below are the current alternative treatment for fibromyalgia:

• Acupuncture: There are various forms of acupuncture, but this ancient Chinese practice based on the belief that each person has an energy force called the Chi. When this force is blocked or unbalanced, your body can then respond with pain or illness. Traditional acupuncturists try to release the Chi channels, called meridians, inserting extremely fine needles into specific points on the meridians of your body.

Based on your specific symptoms and your pain, the practitioner will insert several needles remain in place for 20 to 40 minutes.

It was also suggested that acupuncture phase began with the release of endorphins into the bloodstream. In summary, the endorphins are natural painkillers in your body. The release therefore reduces your pain perception.

Similarly, the electroacupuncture using a needle attached to small son who put a small electric current to stimulate your meridian points. Heat is often used in therapy.

• Biofeedback: This treatment serves to reduce stress by using a machine that evaluates how your body reacts to anxiety. The biofeedback machine has sensors that calculate muscle tension, body temperature, sweat production, heart rate and other stress markers.

While pain itself is a stress in itself, other stressors can be aggravated your fibromyalgia. The goal of biofeedback is to determine how your body reacts to stress and turn this knowledge you will learn how to control it.

Some researchers believe that fibromyalgia is caused by a malfunction in the autonomic nervous system, activated by stress. A hyperactive autonomic nervous system implies an excessive hormone production sensitizes pain receptors, causing pain and sensitivity. Understanding how your body reacts to stress using biofeedback can significantly reduce your symptoms.

• A Massage: A massage involves brushing, kneading and manipulation of muscle tissue. Performed regularly, a massage can relieve chronic pain.

Although massage is not a proven treatment for fibromyalgia, it is generally safe or side effects. However, massage may not be suitable for you if you suffer from osteoporosis, deep vein thrombosis, infection of the skin, open wounds or arthritis in the areas to be massaged or nearby.

There are over 100 types of massage techniques. Swedish massage, for example, use long strokes to affect the superficial layers of muscles. In contrast, a deep tissue massage uses direct pressure and slow movements to address the deeper layers of your muscles and relieve chronic muscle tension. Myofacial relief is another option. This therapy uses soft tissue massage to stretch and manipulate your connective tissues, making them more flexible and improve your mobility. Your therapist will discuss with you what specific massage to best reduce your pain.

You will perhaps also want to consider other alternative treatments, such as:

• Medicinal plants: Disturbed sleep is a classic symptom of fibromyalgia and medicinal plants (chamomile, kava and centranthe are just examples) can give a restful sleep. The herbal alternative to relieve pain include evening primrose, ginger and white willow bark. Citronella can help relieve chronic fatigue and stress while eucalyptus relaxes tired muscles.

• Meditation: The aim of meditation is similar to biofeedback: Learn to control your body responds to stress. You pull even five minutes a day to think and relax could be beneficial to lift your spirits and decrease your pain.

When starting a new medical program, please tell your doctor of any other medical problem that you encounter in addition to fibromyalgia. It is important to note that these treatments are most effective when used as a supplement, that is to say, combined with conventional medicine.

• A widespread chronic pain and debilitating fatigue are the two most common symptoms of fibromyalgia. In addition, 80% of fibromyalgia sufferers also have chronic fatigue syndrome.
• The doctors rated 18 pressure points located on the neck, elbows, chest, back , hips, buttocks and knees. Patients who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia feel pain in at least 11 pressure points.
• While widespread pain and fatigue are classic symptoms of fibromyalgia, exercise is often essential to treatment.
• There are many more women than men fibromyalgia. 80-90% of fibromyalgia patients are women 25 to 60 years.
• Fibromyalgia was once considered a mental disorder, but research has shown that fibromyalgia patients might have a tolerance to pain than the average.
• Researchers have not determined the definitive cause for fibromyalgia, which is why she has not officially the status of disease. We often talk in terms of the syndrome, disorder or medical problem.
• About 30% of the population also suffers from fibromyalgia depression or some form of mood disorder.
• Fibromyalgia is often associated with other diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• It is common in people with fibromyalgia have trouble concentrating or remembering. This phenomenon is often called the "fog".
• There are three drugs approved by the FDA (the U.S. administration of food and medicines) to treat fibromyalgia: Lyrica, Cymbalta and Savella.

It is unfortunately very difficult to diagnose fibromyalgia. There is no test a doctor can go to state clearly, "Yes, you suffer from fibromyalgia." Diagnose this disease is rather a process of elimination because there are many other diseases that have similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome and lupus.

It may take some time between when you notice the symptoms and when you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, which can be frustrating. Try to remain patient and remember that your doctor is working hard to find the exact cause of your pain and your other symptoms. Establish the correct diagnosis makes treatment more effective.

Criteria of Fibromyalgia

In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology has developed criteria to classify fibromyalgia, or simply to diagnose. According to them, two main symptoms must be present to make this diagnosis:

• Widespread pain (usually present for over three months)
• A sensitivity of at least 11 of the 18 specific pressure points (often confused with the points "trigger", associated with chronic myofascial pain)

Many doctors who rely on these general indications, as you may know, fibromyalgia is a disease varies widely, so it's a real challenge to establish definitive diagnostic tips. For example, if a patient has pain and suffers long established in 10 of the 18 points of tension, in addition to other possible symptoms of fibromyalgia such as extreme fatigue, is it true that the patient is Fibromyalgia ?

Even how to diagnose fibromyalgia can be difficult to define, but one experienced doctor will be able to take into account all your symptoms and to develop a sort of diagnosis.

Process Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia: What can happen

Your doctor will look closely at your medical history and ask you about any other disease that you or your family members may have.

You will also need to detail your symptoms: Where is the pain located? At what point does it make you suffer? For how long? Diagnosing fibromyalgia really depends on your description of symptoms, it is necessary to be as specific and precise as possible. Consider keeping a journal of pain (where you write all your symptoms) to specifically inform your doctor during your appointment.

Fibromyalgia has many possible symptoms that can coexist with other diseases, try to be as specific as possible when explaining what you are experiencing. Tell your doctor if you have problems sleeping , if you often feel tired, if you experience headaches, etc.. Read the symptoms of fibromyalgia and write all those that apply to you.

The doctor also palpate (which means it will apply gentle pressure with her hands) on 18 pressure points. If you suffer from fibromyalgia, at least 11 of these points will make you hurt when the doctor gently push.

Other Possible Tests

As mentioned above, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can be very similar to other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, hypothyroidism and ankylosing spondylitis. Your doctor will want to rule out other diseases and can then let you pass other tests.

Remember, these tests are not used to diagnose fibromyalgia, and their goal is to eliminate any possible illness.

The doctor will make you go:

• A test for antinuclear antibodies: antinuclear antibodies are abnormal proteins that may be in your blood if you have lupus, a disease whose symptoms are similar to those of fibromyalgia. The doctor will want to know if your blood contains these proteins in order to rule out the theory of lupus.
• A blood count: Looking at your blood count (or blood count), your doctor will be able to find another cause for your fatigue, such as anemia.
• A sedimentation rate (ESR): A Test of ESR measures how quickly red blood cells fall to the bottom of the specimen. In people suffering from rheumatic disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis), the ESR is often higher. Red blood cells fall quickly in the bottom of the specimen, suggesting inflammation in the body.
• The test of rheumatoid factor (RF): In many patients with inflammatory disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis, which has the same symptoms as fibromyalgia), a higher rate of rheumatoid factor can be identified in the blood. A higher rate of FR does not guarantee that your pain is caused by rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but with this test, your doctor will explore the possibility of diagnosing RA.
• Thyroid Testing: These tests help the doctor to rule out thyroid problems.

End point

Once again, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can take time. As a patient, your role is to remain proactive in the process of diagnosis, be your own lawyer.

For example, when your doctor makes you take a test, ask them why. Make sure you understand what the results will show to what extent this test will help to learn more about your pain. If you do not understand the results or their implications, ask questions until everything is clear.

Fibromyalgia is a frustrating disease. Not only it can be incredibly painful but we also know relatively little about it. The doctors have yet to determine its exact cause. For this reason, know how to treat it is a challenge.

There is evidence on the causes of fibromyalgia, but the results are mixed. Among the findings are:

• Chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia may be due to abnormalities in the endocrine and autonomic nervous system. Some researchers believe that changes in the autonomic nervous system (activated when you're stressed) and the endocrine system (which releases hormones in response to stress) results in chronic widespread pain associated with fibromyalgia. A hyperactive autonomic nervous system produces an excessive amount of hormones that sensitize pain receptors, causing pain and sensitivity.
• Fibromyalgia may be linked to physical or emotional shock after a posttraumatic stress disorder.
• Genetics may play a role as fibromyalgia seems to occur within families.
• Bacterial or viral infections may cause disease. The hepatitis C, HIV and Lyme disease have been associated with fibromyalgia and some evidence suggests that vaccinations might be causing the problem.
• The abnormalities of muscle tissue could also be responsible. Muscle abnormalities can be structural, metabolic or functional. They can be caused by endocrine disruption as a decline in hormone levels may prevent muscle tissue to repair itself correctly.
• An abnormal blood flow. A study conducted in November 2008 found that fibromyalgia may be related to abnormal blood flow in two areas of the brain. The study showed that women with fibromyalgia had too much blood flow in the area of the brain that interprets the intensity of pain. However, this flow is too low in the area that responds to pain. The researchers also discovered that the symptoms are more severe than the blood flow is abnormal.

In addition, women are ten times more likely than men to suffer from fibromyalgia. A fact which, as expected, the cause is unknown.

As with many diseases, it is possible that fibromyalgia has no single cause, many factors can affect the risk of developing this disease. The research may lead to conclusions but separated and the medical community better understand fibromyalgia, which will help create effective treatments.

Chronic widespread pain is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia. However, in general, patients experience multiple symptoms. The most common of them are:

• Localised pain: The sensitivity and pain in many pressure points (often confused with the points "trigger", associated with chronic myofascial pain) are a classic symptom. In fact, one of many ways a doctor's diagnosis of fibromyalgia is to see if the patient feels pain in at least 11 of the 18 pressure points known.

• Widespread pain: The pain of fibromyalgia is not limited to pressure points. It is generally widespread and considerable, and may be described as stabbing, burning and painful. Your muscles can "beat" and jump.

Most patients suffer more in the morning. Some factors, such as problems sleeping, cold or wet weather, anxiety and too much or too little activity, aggravate the pain. This latter limit your mobility, which explains why fibromyalgia is often grouped with rheumatoid arthritis.

• Fatigue: Patients with fibromyalgia experience a form of severe and debilitating fatigue. That's not weariness in the sense that you feel exhausted after a long day at work. It is so powerful that many people feel too tired when they wake up in the morning when they had gone to bed the night before. For this reason, fibromyalgia is often linked to chronic fatigue syndrome. Such depletion tends to aggravate other symptoms, especially pain.

In addition to pain and exhaustion, many people report having fibromyalgia:

• Sleep disorders: Research has shown that fibromyalgia patients experience some sort of bursts of brain activity during deep sleep phases. These disturbances prevent them from enjoying a restful and restorative sleep.

• Anxiety and / or depression: mood disorders and depression are often associated with fibromyalgia. This may be explained by the fact that emotional trauma is a possible cause of this disease. Thus, the symptoms are so painful, many fibromyalgia patients suffer from social isolation.
Pain, fatigue, disturbed sleep and depression are the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia. But you could also submit:

• Difficulty concentrating and remembering - sometimes called "fog"
• Dizziness
• Pain during and after the exercise
• Rules painful
• A sensitivity to touch, light and noise
• stiff muscles when you wake up or you've stayed too long in one position

Many medical problems are associated with fibromyalgia, and researchers have yet to determine the exact correlation. These problems co-existing "common include:

• The irritable bowel syndrome (abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, diarrhea and / or constipation)
• Irritable bladder (urinary frequency increased)
• Headaches
• Raynaud's Syndrome (also called secondary Raynaud's disease, it appears when blood flow to the tissue surface of the hands and feet is temporarily diminished, resulting in generally cold or numbness)
• The restless legs syndrome (a disorder of the nervous system resulting in periodic leg movements and / or arms)
• The condition of the temporomandibular joint or TMJ (pain characterized by facial muscles, usually in front of the ear, temples and / or neck, caused by movements of the jaw)

It is important to remember that fibromyalgia is a disease diagnosed and often misunderstood, wrongly, as a similar problem (such as rheumatoid arthritis). To be sure the diagnosis is correct, take care that all your symptoms even if they are subtle. You might find it helpful to keep a diary every day you would notice the intensity of pain. You can then talk more specifically about your symptoms with your doctor.