As many as one in 20 Australians suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition that causes chronic pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons all over the body. Can you imagine having aches and pains from head to toe with no discernable cause and no cure?
Fibromyalgia is a controversial condition. Up until five years ago, it was not widely acknowledged as a physical condition, but rather viewed as a psychosomatic disorder (a manifestation of emotional distress. We understand the nuances of the pain system better, we know that people with fibromyalgia process pain in an abnormal way.
While the incidence of fibromyalgia is not necessarily rising but still remains an under-recognised condition which can delay diagnosis.
Main Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Diagnosis
If you hurt all over and feel worn out, you may have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Both are serious chronic illnesses that have specific criteria for diagnosis but may be overlooked because blood tests are typically normal. Also, the distinction between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome is rather fuzzy, with up to 70 percent of patients meeting the diagnosis for both.1
Benefits
Treatment strategies
Largely an integrative approach using a combination of:-
Medication for symptom relief such as pain management and antidepressants.
Non-drug therapies such as acupuncture, massage, nutritional approach, intravenous nutrient therapy, and herbs, Taking care of gut health, and
Self-help tools such as breathwork and meditation and Self help strategies through coaching and effective counseling, to change and alter driving behavioral patterns
