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Can Fibromyalgia Cause Lower Back Pain

Is It Fibromyalgia Or Just Back Pain

Fibromyalgia: How to Manage Chronic Pain

Back pain can be difficult to diagnose because it can have many causes, such as age-related changes to the spine, trauma or a strained muscle or pinched nerve.

However, fibromyalgia is also difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are not always clear-cut and there is no quick blood test for it. But there are ways for doctors and patients themselves to pick up on it.

Rebecca Park, a registered nurse and founder of RemediesForMe.com, says it is difficult to diagnose fibromyalgia because the symptoms are often similar to other conditions. She adds, To make things more confusing, these symptoms can come and go and can also occur concurrently with other disorders.

This includes irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg syndrome, depression, anxiety and other neurological symptoms.

Back pain associated with fibromyalgia is typically unrelated to spine injuries like a herniated disc. The pain experienced with fibromyalgia also stands out from other conditions that cause back pain.

Physicians should suspect fibromyalgia if someone has complaints of pain in a number of different areas of their body, says Hulst. This pain should be present at a similar level for at least three months.

People with fibromyalgia will also have associated symptoms, says Hulst, including fatigue, impaired sleep and cognitive symptoms.

This last one is sometimes known as fibro fog, which can include forgetfulness, problems with concentration and attention, and thinking more slowly.

Talk To Your Doctor Today

Much can be done to help sufferers of both CFS and fibromyalgia reduce symptoms, including low back pain. Making lifestyle changes for better sleep, adopting an appropriate exercise routine, watching your diet and/or supplementing your diet with inflammation-fighting Omega 3 fatty acids are options to discuss with your health care provider. Schedule an appointment today with your doctor for help developing a protocol that will get you well on your way to improving your overall quality and enjoyment of life.

1 Omega-3 for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Potential Benefits. http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/supplement1/p/Omega-3-Fatty-Acids-For-Fibromyalgia-And-Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrome.htm. Accessed April 18, 2016.

Fibromyalgia Back Pain Causes

Fibromyalgia is a condition that may be caused by cellular oxygen deprivation in many instances. This process affects many areas of the patients body. Spinal structures, such as ligaments, muscles, and especially nerves, are particularly prone to the negative health effects of oxygen deprivation. It is for this reason that many fibromyalgia patients have such unbelievably severe dorsalgia.

Oxygen deprivation causes muscles to cramp up and nerves to lose their ability to function correctly. Regardless of whether these structures are deprived of oxygen by the subconscious mind, or the physical body, the effects are always devastating. Widespread FMS back ache can result in complete disability for the patient.

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Fibromyalgia Treatment: Patient Education

Patient education is an important first step in helping patients understand and cope with their diverse symptoms. Unfortunately, not all physicians are intimately acquainted with the variations of this illness. Community hospital support groups and the local chapters of the Arthritis Foundation have become important educational resources for patients and their doctors.

Poor Assessment And Treatment Strategies In Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

The lack of understanding of the mechanisms of fatigue contributes to poor assessment and treatment strategies. The fatigue is described physically as lack of energy and exhaustion, emotionally as lack of motivation, and cognitively as the inability to think or concentrate. Affected patients experience these different kinds of fatigue concurrently, but clinicians rarely sort this and the complaint is normally recorded simply as âfatigueâ. This makes the patients uncomfortable and not interested in making an appointment for âjustâ fatigue. Thus fatigue is a complex and vexing symptom that is highly prevalent for the past five years.

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Effects Of Buttocks Pain In Fibromyalgia Patients

Sometimes pain in the buttocks region can end up in creating embarrassing situation for the fibromyalgia patients.

When the pain comes it may not be very comfortable to express it out but in order to make people understand, the explanation becomes a little bit tricky.

Some people experience the pain deep in the bone affecting their mobility. When the situation is painful, people find it very difficult to walk.

Resting in bed will be the only comfortable thing that people will be able to do. The effects of buttocks pain may not be there all the days.

It happens to people when they give over strain to lower part of the body. But there have been cases where people have reported buttocks pain as a persistent problem.

This will affect their day to day activities. They get morning stiffness and have hesitation to get out of the bed.

How To Diagnose And Treat Fibromyalgia Pain

It may take some time for doctors to diagnose you with fibromyalgia. Since symptoms typically match hypothyroidism, doctors have to rule that out first. Additionally, there are no lab tests for fibromyalgia, leading to a longer diagnosing process. However, three criteria need to be met for a fibromyalgia diagnosis:

  • Pain and symptoms have been ongoing for more than three months
  • There was pain over the previous week in several of the 19 identified body parts, plus fatigue, restless sleep, or other cognitive problems
  • There is no presence of another health issue that would cause the symptoms

No two cases of fibromyalgia are the same. Everyone experiences their own type of pain, which is why its important to develop a specialized treatment plan with your doctor. However, gentle stretching, pool exercises, and daily strengthening of the lower back are crucial. Doctors may prescribe antidepressants to help ease pain and fatigue as well.

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What Are The Possible Causes Of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a widespread chronic pain disorder that affects many different areas and functions of the body. Photo Source: 123RF.com.

Like so many misunderstood conditions, fibromyalgia can be brought on by a host of causes.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition driven by a concept called central sensitization , says Mike Bierle, MD, an associate professor of medicine with the Division of General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic and a core faculty member of the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue clinic.

I think about CS as a change in the strategy the nervous system uses to analyze, interpret, and respond to sensations, Dr. Bierle continues. This certainly affects the pain signals but can also affect other senses, leading to sensitivities to touch, smell, light, sound, foods, and medications.

Dr. Bierle adds that these sensitivities are often associated with what he calls traumatic insults that activate the survival part of the brain, or the limbic system. These insults can be:

  • Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

  • Traumatic events such as a motor vehicle accident or loss of a loved one

  • Medical events such as surgery, pregnancy/childbirth, or infections

Although at times Dr. Bierle says he and his colleagues arent able to identify an insult, he notes that several changes in the nervous system can contribute to these issues.

Some medical conditions can increase the risk of developing fibromyalgia, including:

  • Celiac disease

  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Fibromyalgia Symptoms You Should Know

Fibromyalgia: How to Manage Chronic Pain

Fibromyalgia, commonly referred to as fibro, is a painful condition that increases the bodys sensitivity to sensation, causing pain. Because this condition cannot be diagnosed by traditional tests, it can sometimes be difficult for patients to receive a definitive diagnosis. Doctors rely on the presence of symptoms to determine if the patient may have fibromyalgia.

If you experience pain and tenderness on a regular basis, but cant explain it, it is possible you may have fibromyalgia. Your doctor can discuss your symptoms with you and investigate other causes or potential treatments for your pain. Here are some of the common symptoms that can indicate fibromyalgia.

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Additional Natural Treatment Options

You may find that the best treatments for fibromyalgia sciatica pain involve your lifestyle. If you find that the pain is more likely to occur when you sit for long periods of time, invest in a standing desk or a treadmill desk.

It may also help to stick to a weekly fitness routine that includes low to medium impact cardio workouts, energy healing, and strength training specific to fibro people. Visit myFibro Fit People page on Facebook for more support. As I often say, we can spend the rest of our lives de-conditioning our bodies, or we can spend the rest of our lives RE-conditioning our bodies because this is not a race. Consistency is key here. This will help us to better tolerate the ups and downs of fibromyalgia symptoms and fibro flares.

If your back, buttocks, or legs have been hurting more than usual, at least check with a doctor or a specialist familiar with sciatica and fibromyalgia. You may find that your problem is caused by a slipped disc or another problem that possibly has nothing to do with your fibromyalgia. A specialist might help you determine a different cause while creating a treatment plan that relieves some of the pain, stiffness, and overall discomfort.

Research And New Developments

Versus Arthritis is funding a number of research studies into the causes, effects and treatment of fibromyalgia. Some examples include:

  • A study at the University of Cambridge is looking at why things that wouldnt normally be painful, such as sound, light and gentle touch become painful for people with fibromyalgia, and whether brain signals that process pain differ in people with fibromyalgia.
  • Research underway at the University of Sussex is examining how the bodies natural fight and flight response to stress might be altered in people who have fibromyalgia. This work is also looking at the role inflammation might have in this process.
  • We are funding work at the University of Liverpool investigating how the brain processes pain signals. It has been found that in people with long-term pain such as fibromyalgia there are differences in the structure and activity in the parts of the brain that process pain signals. Using mathematical modelling, this work could help to match people up with the best treatment option for them.
  • We are also investigating how to improve healthcare services for people with fibromyalgia. Research being carried out at the University of Aberdeen is looking at how long it took people with fibromyalgia to get diagnosed and where in the system improvements can be made.

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Fibromyalgia Syndrome In Patients With Chronic Low Back Pain

lker Yac1, Eylem Akcan1, Pelin Yldrm2, Mehmet Arman1, Zeynep Güven3

1Marmara Üniversitesi, Fiziksel Tp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dal, stanbul, Turkey2Sivas Devlet Hastanesi, Fiziksel Tp ve Rehabilitasyon Klinii, Sivas, Turkey3Acbadem Üniversitesi, Fiziksel Tp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dal, stanbul, Turkey

Keywords: Chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia

Alternative Fibromyalgia Treatment: Meditation

Secrets about Back Pain and Fibromyalgia: How Common Back ...

With meditation, you allow your thoughts to take a break from daily analytical routines and live in the moment. Meditation produces brain waves consistent with serenity and happiness, which help to relieve anxiety. Meditation may provide nourishment for your soul, satisfies inner spiritual hunger, and helps you develop your ability to pay attention to all areas of life without distraction. Fibromyalgia patients may also be able to control their flare-ups and reduce pain. Preliminary findings suggest that a meditation-based stress-reduction program is effective for some patients with fibromyalgia.

Meditation Benefits

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How Does The Brain Perceive Pain

There are over 20 different kinds of nerve endings in your skin that tell you if among other sensations something is hot, cold, or painful. These nerve endings convert mechanical, thermal, or chemical energy into electrical signals that convey information to the brain and spinal cord — also known as the central nervous system or CNS. These signals travel to areas of your CNS where you perceive the stimuli as the sensations you actually feel — sensations such as searing, burning, pounding, or throbbing.

Research suggests that the pain associated with fibromyalgia is caused by a “glitch” in the way the body processes pain. This glitch results in a hypersensitivity to stimuli that normally are not painful. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases , research has shown that people with fibromyalgia have reduced blood flow to parts of the brain that normally help the body deal with pain.

How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed

FMS was only recognised as a syndrome in 1993, and as such, a list of diagnostic features were developed. The main feature being that 11 out of a possible 18 myofascial trigger points needed to be present. Most doctors now believe that to be too simplistic, and a more flexible diagnosis based on mapping of trigger points, related symptoms and exclusion of other conditions is mostly used now. Once the new blood test is available in every country, diagnosis will be much easier.

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Fibromyalgia And Back Pain: How To Get Relief

These two chronic pain conditions often go hand-in-hand, and experts believe treatment needs to target them both together and individually.

When you have fibromyalgia, it may seem as if you just cant get a break from the pain which may include an aching back. As many as two-thirds of people with chronic low back pain also have fibromyalgia. Looking at the numbers from the other direction, up to 49 percent of people with fibromyalgia have lower back pain. In fact, back pain is so prevalent among people with fibromyalgia that it was once one of the symptoms doctors looked for in making a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Theres no doubt that living with fibromyalgia is challenging enough on its own, let alone when you have back pain. But it may make you feel a little better to know there is an explanation for the intensity of the pain youre going through.

The hyperarousal is really a normal response, says Dr. Staud. Normal, yes, but it throws a monkey wrench into finding the right combination of treatments to ease two very painful problems.

The Basics Of Chronic Pelvic Pain

Fibromyalgic trigger pain || Neck pain and upper back pain exercises

A lot of conditions can cause chronic pelvic pain. Research links only some of them to FMS and ME/CFS When trying to make a diagnosis, your healthcare provider may want to start with the common overlapping conditions, but he or she may also explore some of the others, as well. It will likely depend on your specific symptoms.

Several conditions that can cause chronic pelvic pain are gender-specific. Causes specific to women include:

  • Vulvodynia
  • Nerve damage
  • An injury in the pelvic region

Symptoms, treatments, and diagnostic procedures vary based on the specific cause of pelvic pain. The sheer number of possibilities can make it tough to figure out, so it may take a long time for you to get a proper diagnosis. That’s unpleasant when you’re miserable, but keep in mind that the right answer and, especially, the right treatment are what you’re after. It may take some experimentation before your healthcare provider knows exactly what’s going on.

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Top 5 Causes Of Chronic Back Pain

Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability and one of the most common reasons for missed work in the United States. Its one of the most pervasive medical ailments in our society: experts estimate that up to 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute back pain resolves within a few days to three months, while chronic pain lasts three months or longer. While many people recover fully from back injuries and pain, some people experience severe and debilitating pain and cant find pain relief from traditional treatments.

Keep reading to learn the top five causes of chronic low back pain and when its time to see a doctor.

How Does The Chronic Pain Of Fibromyalgia Impact Lives

Fibromyalgia’s chronic pain seems unending. The ongoing headaches, neck pain, aching joints, and painful tender points prevent sleep, causing you to awaken frequently at night. The chronic sleep disorder of fibromyalgia results in increased achiness, morning stiffness, and daytime fatigue. While you want to exercise and be active, you may suffer with foot pain, hip pain, knee pain, or other painful joints. All of these make it next to impossible to exercise with friends or to play with your kids or grandkids.

The constant pain causes more irritation and difficulty dealing with others, including family members, friends, and people at work. For women with fibromyalgia who must take care of family members and work full-time, coping with pain is a challenge. If there is undiagnosed pain and no effective treatment or medication for the fibromyalgia, the overwhelming feelings can lead to irritability, exhaustion, anxiety, social isolation, and depression.

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What Steps Can I Take At Home To Relieve Fibromyalgia Symptoms

You can take the following steps at home to help relieve your symptoms:

  • Getting enough sleep. Most adults should try to get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. But fibromyalgia can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Talk to your doctor about any sleep problems you have and ways to treat them. Your doctor may recommend:
  • Going to bed at the same time and getting up at the same time every day
  • Not drinking caffeine, alcohol, or eating spicy meals before bedtime
  • Not taking daytime naps
  • Doing relaxing activities, such as listening to soft music or taking a warm bath, that prepare your body for sleep.
  • Reducing stress. Stress can trigger a flare-up of fibromyalgia symptoms. Strategies such as meditation, massage, and talk therapy may help. Get tips on relieving stress.
  • Getting regular physical activity. Pain and fatigue may make exercise and daily activities harder to do. But studies show that for many women with fibromyalgia, regular physical activity can reduce pain.11 Any activity, even walking around your home or neighborhood, can help relieve your symptoms. Start at a very low level, and slowly increase the amount of activity you get.
  • Trying complementary or alternative therapies. Some women say their symptoms got better from trying complementary or alternative therapies, such as:
  • Physical therapy
  • Yoga
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