Why Fibromyalgia May Be The Cause Of Your Pain

Millions of people suffer from chronic pain each year due to a variety of medical conditions, but one of the most painful issues out there is fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder caused by damage to the brain stem that induces pain throughout the entire body. Luckily, there are ways to combat fibromyalgia and reduce the pain associated with it. Massage therapy, blood testing and neurological treatments can eliminate pain and help you find balance in your life again. Find out what options you have to treat fibromyalgia with this guide!

Chronic Pain Triggers

Each of us will experience pain at some point during our lives, but there are millions of Americans who suffer chronic pain on a daily basis. Car accidents, surgeries, medical conditions and other life-changing events can influence the frequency and severity of pain that people feel day-to-day, but there are a few specific triggers that can make your pain even worse than it used to be. For starters, stress is directly connected to worsening physical symptoms among people, specifically in relation to their pain levels. Stress can develop due to a death in the family, divorce, work, illness or a hectic lifestyle, among other situations. Whatever the case, if you’re feeling stressed, you’re probably experiencing higher pain levels in your life, too. Secondly, too little sleep can increase the pain that you feel on a daily basis. Ironically, the more pain you have, the harder it is to sleep, which causes your body to lose out on the sleep it needs to heal your body from the pain it’s experiencing. It’s a vicious cycle that is common among those with chronic pain, and ultimately makes it even worse in the long run. Lastly, worry and catastrophic thinking often lead patients to exaggerate their pain until it actually increases in intensity. The brain is an amazing organ that controls all of the body’s systems, but it also influences how our body reactions to external and internal stimuli. The more you think that the small pain in your wrist is going to get worse, the more likely it will. Recognizing the times when you’re actually feeling pain and thinking positive thoughts about the experience can prevent your brain from exacerbating the situation, which will help keep your pain levels in check.

How Fibromyalgia Increases Pain

The aforementioned triggers are very common among those who experience chronic pain, but the reason behind pain development can be varied and unpredictable. However, there is one medical condition that seems to be at the root of the problem for many patients who consistently suffer from pain on a daily basis, and that condition is called fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a term used to describe the neurological condition that causes a variety of pain symptoms throughout the entire body, including the feet, hands, nose, eyes, neck, head and other musculoskeletal areas. Fibromyalgia develops after the brain stem has been damaged or traumatized, interrupting how it sends pain signals to other areas of the brain and causing the brain’s pain receptors to become more sensitive. When this occurs, patients will experience widespread pain that develops on both sides of their bodies and lasts for more than three months. Most patients will experience fibromyalgia for years at a time, and they often characterize it as a low, dull ache that they feel in every part of their being. Many patients with fibromyalgia will also experience fatigue as their pain prevents them from sleeping, and it can even lead to other sleep disorders like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.

While it’s still unknown why fibromyalgia develops, one consistent factor is stress. Stress comes in a variety of forms, such as chemical, physical and emotional. Chemical stress can be caused by alcohol or tobacco use, and even consuming too much junk food. Physical stress comes in the form of car accidents, falls, bruises and other events that impact your physical ability. Lastly, emotional stress can be due to divorce, a harsh work environment, financial difficulties or death. Each of these stressful events can interfere with how the neurotransmitters transmit pain signals in the body and can even make small things, like brushing your arm against something, hurt in an extreme way.

Treating Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

The general consensus surrounding fibromyalgia is that it is permanent and progressive, but many have eliminated their pain with the help of physical, neurological and metabolic treatments. Physical treatments include trigger point therapy, therapeutic massage and myofascial release therapy which all focus on manipulating the muscles of the body to soften and strengthen the connective tissue found therein. Neurological treatments involve oxygen therapy, spinal decompression and other brain-based therapy programs to stimulate brain and nervous system function to increase firing to the brain. Metabolic treatments will vary depending on the results of blood tests, lipid panels and thyroid evaluations, but these tests can determine whether an autoimmune disease is causing your pain symptoms and/or if tissue antibodies (gluten reactions) are triggering a specific response. Meeting with a medical professional will be a vital part of successful treatment and recovery as he/she will determine which type of treatment you need and monitor your reactions. While many doctors will opt to prescribe painkillers or drugs to dull your pain, these only cover the symptoms for a time and don’t treat the root cause of your problems. Make sure to schedule an appointment with a licensed professional so that you can receive the thorough testing and evaluation required to accurately diagnose and treat your condition.

Get Pain-Free With Our Help!

At Texas Spine & Sports Therapy Center, we care about your health and want to help you achieve an optimal and satisfactory state of being. If you believe that fibromyalgia may be causing your pain, call our office at (512) 806-0015 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shaner. Don’t let pain rule your life anymore; call today to find health, happiness and hope again!