Fibromyalgia Spine Pain Treatment Options In NJ

Fibromyalgia affects more than 12 million Americans, making it the second-most common musculoskeletal condition, after osteoarthritis. It’s characterized by chronic pain throughout the body, with tender points in the muscles and soft tissues. It’s also been linked to issues such as sleeping problems, fatigue, depression, headaches, and anxiety. It’s more common in women than men and often occurs between the ages of 20 and 50. It may also be known as fibromyositis and fibrositis.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that’s commonly identified by acute pain in the muscles and joints as well as fatigue, sleep and mood disorders. Scientists think that it increases pain sensations because it affects the brain’s ability to process pain signals. The disease’s symptoms may begin shortly after an injury, surgery or infection, but it may start gradually without any traceable triggering event.

Who Does Fibromyalgia Affect?

Women are more prone to having fibromyalgia spine pain than men. Most of the people who have this condition also have painful issues like:

Temporomandibular joint disorders
Painful bladder syndrome
Migraines and various kinds of headaches
Irritable bowel syndrome

You’re more likely to have fibromyalgia if any of your relatives have it. If you suffer from disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, you’re also more likely to develop fibromyalgia.

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How Is It Diagnosed?

Currently, there are no specific tests that can indicate that you have fibromyalgia. However, during an examination, the doctor will try to rule out conditions like:

Arthritis
Lupus
Underactive thyroid

X-rays and blood tests will be conducted to monitor hormone levels and check for signs of inflammation. Blood tests could include:

Total blood count
Rheumatoid factor
Cyclic citrullinated peptide test
Erythrocyte sedimentation

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

The causes of fibromyalgia are not well known, but doctors believe it’s caused by a variety of factors, including:

Emotional or physical trauma: A motor vehicle accident or psychological stress can trigger the symptoms of this condition.
Infections: Infections like interstitial cystitis seem to trigger fibromyalgia.
Genetics: Patients with ancestors who’ve had fibromyalgia are more likely to have it.

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What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Some of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia include the following:

Impaired cognitive functions: You may have difficulty paying attention and poor mental concentration, which is referred to as “fibro fog.”
Fatigue: Someone with fibromyalgia usually wakes up feeling tired after they’ve slept for many hours.
Disruption of sleep: Sleep is often disturbed by pain, and patients with this condition have various sleep disorders, like sleep apnea and restless legs.
Widespread pain: Pain occurs above the waist and on the left and right sides of the body.

Pain might radiate from those locations, ranging from an ache to a shooting pain. Usually, the joints are unaffected although the radiating pain might make them feel sore. Sleeping often becomes an issue for those suffering from fibromyalgia pain, as they may awake with body aches and stiffness. Some patients report that their pain gets better during the day but more intense at night, but other patients experience pain throughout the day. Factors such as the weather and stress can make the pain worse.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Palpitations
Reduced ability to exercise
Memory and concentration problems
Tension or migraine headaches
Numbness and tingling in hands and feet

Associated Conditions of Fibromyalgia

Many patients come into our clinic each year seeking fibromyalgia pain relief. No one is sure what causes fibromyalgia, but there are a number of conditions that often occur with fibromyalgia or mimic the symptoms of the condition. These include:

Chronic fatique syndrome
Sleep disorders
Chronic back and neck pain
Lyme disease
Depression
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

The symptoms of fibromyalgia can be triggered (or potentially caused) by factors such as:

Emotional or physical trauma
An abnormal pain response in the in brain of the patient
Disturbance to normal sleeping patterns
Infections or viruses, although this has not been confirmed or identified

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

Before a doctor can help you with fibromyalgia pain relief, you’ll need to be diagnosed. Diagnosis of the condition will depend on symptoms such as:

Widespread pain for three months of longer
Tender points in at least 11 of the common pain points for fibromyalgia sufferers, which include the neck, back, thighs, elbows, and shoulders.

In order to confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may request blood and urine tests. While there is no test currently for fibromyalgia, these blood and urine samples can help your doctor rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms to fibromyalgia.

The Treatment Options for Fibromyalgia in Central New Jersey

Initial Treatments for Fibromyalgia

The goal of chronic pain management treatment for fibromyalgia sufferers is to help the patient live with the symptoms. Suggested treatments might include:

Massage
Relaxation techniques
Physical therapy
Fitness regimens

Medication Treatment Options for Fibromyalgia

If these fibromyalgia pain relief treatments don’t work, pain medication may be the next step recommended by your back pain specialist. Medication can help improve the quality of sleep the patient is getting as well as help them tolerate the pain. There are many drugs that may be prescribed for fibromyalgia, including:

Sleeping aids
Anti-seizure medication
Pain relievers
Muscle relaxants
Antidepressants

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is an important part of fibromyalgia pain relief treatment. Keeping a diary of the symptoms and pain can help the patient control negative thoughts they might be experiencing, as well as track when symptoms get worse and what might be triggering them.

Patients with fibromyalgia should seek out activities that they enjoy doing and focus on the positives in their life. Be aware of your physical limitations and don’t over exert yourself.

Support Groups And Other Recommendations

If you are having trouble coping with the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic pain, you may find relief by joining a support group. You can gain insight from other members and support each other in your condition. Along with a support group, you can provide self-care by doing the following:

Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Try acupuncture
Limit your caffeine intake
Set up a sleep routine

If your symptoms continue and you are having trouble finding relief, you may want to ask for a referral to a pain clinic.

The Prognosis for Fibromyalgia

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are many treatments for chronic pain available. Studies show that fibromyalgia patients who are treated by a multidisciplinary team have the most positive outcomes. That team should include your primary care doctor, a mental health doctor, and an alternative therapies manager. Working with an experienced medical team and creating a care and treatment plan can help you live a happy, healthy life while managing your fibromyalgia symptoms.

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What Are Some Fibromyalgia Treatment Options in Central New Jersey?

Treatment for this condition includes self-care and medication, but there’s no single treatment that works perfectly for all patients. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following treatments:

Medication: These include muscle relaxers, antidepressants, pain relievers and anti-seizure drugs.
Exercise: Regular moderate to low-impact exercise will help you develop endurance and build stronger muscles. Exercise will also relieve stress and help you sleep well.
Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you the exercises that will give you stamina, flexibility and strength. Swimming can also be helpful.
Occupational therapy: With the help of an occupational therapist, you can modify and re-organize your work area. You can also adjust the way you perform tasks to reduce stress on your body.

Contact Spine INA for more information on this condition and its treatment options.

Fibromyalgia