Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that creates pain and tenderness all over the body. There has been no cure or primary cause for this condition. Instead, the best options are management strategies and treatment to relieve symptoms. Symptoms associated with this condition include (but are not limited to) fatigue, bowel issues/ stomach pain, altered sleep, altered mood, headaches, increased pain, and muscle stiffness. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be difficult as it can appear to be other conditions as well as getting better or worse for unknown reasons. This can make it hard for clinicians (GP /physiotherapist ) to come to a diagnosis for many years, leaving people undiagnosed for an extended period of time. A GP may refer you to a pain specialist, MSK physiotherapist, occupational therapist, rheumatologist, or psychologist to help relieve stress and pain in the joints and muscles and enable you to manage daily activities.

The main treatments for this condition are to highlight advice and education as well as non-pharmacological therapies (non-medication). Physiotherapist treatment for this includes hydrotherapy, exercise, ultrasound therapy, manual therapy/massage, and acupuncture. Exercise and hydrotherapy help increase quality of life by improving your function, muscle strength, and aerobic endurance and reducing fatigue, stress levels, and blood circulation. Manual therapy is a technique used on soft tissue and the joints using rhymical pressure to relieve tightness, anxiety, stress and stiffness. Ultrasound has also been a recommended treatment method for the condition in reducing pain and improving function and sleep . Evidence has also shown that acupuncture enhances the quality of life , sleep disturbance and pain .