What is fibromyalgia and how can it be treated?

Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome characterized by deep muscle pain. Exhaustion along with concentration difficulties and sleep problems are among the most typical symptoms. The causes of fibromyalgia have not yet been uncovered. Fortunately, however, treatment methods for symptom relief are available. 

 

Fibromyalgia belongs to the pain syndromes, which can occur without noticeable changes in muscles and joints. Deep muscle pain characterizes this disease, with fibromyalgia pain often becoming especially severe at night. The following symptoms complement the symptomatology of fibromyalgia:

• Exhaustion
• Digestive problems
• Depressions
• Sleep disorders
• Headaches 

 

Another name for fibromyalgia is generalized soft tissue rheumatism, because the pain can occur diffusely throughout the body. 80% of those affected are women in middle age.

 

Fibromyalgia translates to fiber-muscle pain, which describes the symptoms well. In addition to pain, stiffness and a burning sensation, possibly with tingling, can occur. Usually, the pain improves with warmth or moderate movement. Restless legs and fatigue can occur in the context of fibromyalgia.

Since no tissue changes occur, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia usually takes quite a long time. In addition to the anamnesis (taking the patient's medical history), doctors usually palpate the 18 tender points or fibromyalgia pain points. These are the transitions from muscles to tendons, which can be painful as pressure points in fibromyalgia. If 11 of the 18 points are tender to pressure, this indicates fibromyalgia. In addition, diagnostic blood tests are performed to exclude inflammatory rheumatic diseases. There are no changes in blood values caused by fibromyalgia. 

 

The treatment usually only aims at relieving the symptoms. Since the organic causes are unknown, they cannot be cured accordingly. Symptom therapy is therefore the focus. Visits to the following specialists or therapists are recommended, in addition to the general practitioner, of course:

• Pain therapist
• Neurologist
• Psychologist
• Physiotherapist

To relieve muscle pain as permanently as possible, movement therapy is recommended. In particular, moderate-intensity endurance training can help alleviate the pain. The following sports for fibromyalgia are often recommended:

• Hiking
• Swimming
• Cycling
• Dancing
• Aqua jogging
• Walking

Possible physical therapy methods include heat treatments and medical baths. Cold therapies and massages are explicitly discouraged. Other relaxation therapies such as yoga, autogenic training, and progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobsen can be helpful.

 

Fibromyalgia patients are often also treated medically. Antidepressants may be prescribed to reduce the psychological effects of their illness. Antidepressants can not only improve mood but may also increase motivation and reduce fatigue. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also be useful in this context to improve patients' quality of life. 

Anticonvulsants were developed to treat nerve pain and epilepsy and are also quite helpful against fibromyalgia. Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant that helps in many cases. 

Other painkillers like NSAIDs usually have little or no effect on fibromyalgia. Ibuprofen, acetylsalicylic acid, and paracetamol are therefore unfortunately not recommended. Even opioid analgesics are not or hardly suitable for pain treatment in fibromyalgia. For this reason, alternative healing methods from complementary medicine have become increasingly popular recently.

 

The following suggestions are not part of conventional medicine because they lack clear and clinical evidence. However, since treatment options for fibromyalgia are quite limited, more and more people are turning to these alternative medical methods.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is increasingly being used. Methods such as acupuncture or osteopathy are considered for fibromyalgia, although their effectiveness is not proven. 

Homeopathy can also be applied according to the homeopathic understanding of humans and nature. However, the corresponding remedies show no proven effectiveness, so you should discuss such treatment with your doctor. Rhus toxicodendron is a homeopathic remedy occasionally used for fibromyalgia symptoms. 

While medical cannabis can be used for chronic pain, its use is not recommended for fibromyalgia. 

There is also slight evidence that a plant-based diet might help against fibromyalgia. Your doctor can evaluate the relevant research and discuss it with you, as the evidence is really very weak. 

 

Unfortunately, this is quite individual. Often, targeted exercise therapy helps, where endurance training is done aerobically at moderate intensity. Physical therapies, psychotherapy, and relaxation techniques can also be helpful in alleviating symptoms.

Since conventional painkillers do not help much, medication therapy is limited. Besides antidepressants, anticonvulsants are often prescribed. More and more people turn to alternative medicine methods to seek relief from their symptoms.

If you show signs of fibromyalgia, you should see a doctor. They will guide you through the diagnostic process and determine whether your symptoms are caused by another illness. Certain methods are available for this. However, since fibromyalgia does not cause tissue changes, the diagnosis usually takes a lot of time.

Fibromyalgia stands for muscle fiber pain. The main symptom of this condition is a deep pain in the muscle tissue, often located at the transition from tendons to muscles. The pain can be diffuse throughout the body and occurs without tissue changes or other organic causes.

Some doctors and therapists advise against white flour and recommend only whole grain, oats, or quinoa. You should discuss this again with your doctor because it is not clearly proven that other grains negatively affect fibromyalgia.

Contact your general practitioner if fibromyalgia is suspected. They will review the diagnostic methods with you. If necessary, you may be referred to neurologists or pain specialists, but the diagnosis is usually made by your general practitioner.