Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, also known FM or FMS, is a chronic condition defined by widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons of a person along with certain pressure points across the body. This pain may then lead to sleep difficulties, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and muscle stiffness. It is found more commonly in women and occurs in all age groups. However, the average age of diagnosis is 35.

Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia

The symptoms of Fibromyalgia are difficult to diagnose due to there being many different causes.

Symptoms include:

• Chronic Muscle Pain

• Muscle Spasms Or Tightness

• Insomnia

• Waking Up Feeling Tired

• Stiffness Or Pain Upon Waking

• Pain From Staying In One Position For Too Long

Diagnosis is often done through a process of elimination, the number of painful sites, pain severity and the presence of symptoms for at least 3 months. Our Chartered Physiotherapists can assist in the diagnosis of this problematic condition.

Treatment Of Fibromyalgia

The benefits of aerobic exercise are essential to sufferers of FM. Your physiotherapist will demonstrate a series of specific stretching and graded strengthening drills to incorporate into your daily life. There is no specific cure for FM so treatment is focused towards ongoing management.

Many sufferers of FM feel they benefit from periodic soft tissue techniques including soft tissue massage, dry needling and acupuncture.

Our Expertise

Fibromyalgia can be a very difficult condition to deal with as it can have a far reaching impact on a person’s quality of life. Furthermore, this disorder can lead to a cycle in which people may take pills or alcohol to aid sleeping and then excessive caffeine to recover from fatigue.

Physiotherapy focuses on alleviating fatigue, muscle weakness, pain and sleep disturbances.

Our Physiotherapists are highly skilled and will use various evidence based techniques such as advice, manipulation and strengthening and aerobic exercise. Research has shown that a correctly prescribed exercise program can be hugely beneficial to those with Fibromyalgia, both physically and mentally.