Fibromyalgia

Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care

Pain Management Physicians & Vein Specialists located across Northwest Indiana

Fibromyalgia pain is constant and spreads across the whole body, making every day a considerable challenge. If you have fibromyalgia, help from the Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care team could make a tremendous difference in your life. At their offices in Hobart, LaPorte, Merrillville, Munster, and Valparaiso, Indiana, the experienced pain management physicians use non-surgical treatments to reduce the pain and other symptoms fibromyalgia causes. Call the Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care office nearest you today to find out more or book an appointment using the online form.

Fibromyalgia Q & A

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia causes continual pain across most or all of the body. The pain can affect muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues, making you feel like you've had a traumatic accident, although there’s no visible damage.

As well as widespread pain, fibromyalgia typically causes cognitive problems that are known as "fibro fog." You might have trouble with your memory, struggle to concentrate, and find it hard to think through problems. Chronic fatigue and difficulty sleeping are also common symptoms.

Many patients with fibromyalgia also have additional issues, which might include:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Headaches
Sensitivity to temperature or light
Food intolerances
Numbness or tingling in the limbs
Depression and anxiety

As there are no outward signs to show you have fibromyalgia, it’s sometimes difficult for other people to understand just how disabling and distressing this condition can be.

Doctors still don't know precisely why some people develop fibromyalgia, either. There could be a genetic link, as the condition often affects people from the same family. The pain seems to come from oversensitive nerves, widespread inflammation, or some combination of the two, but why this happens isn't clear.

How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?

One of the key diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia is the tender point test. There are 18 spots around your body on your back, neck, and places like the insides of your knees that are particularly painful if you press on them. If you have 11 or more of these tender points, that's a good indication that you have fibromyalgia.

Although your body feels tender and bruised, there are no visible signs of damage that show up on diagnostic imaging scans when you have fibromyalgia, and there's no lab test that can confirm you have this disease.

How is fibromyalgia treated?

There isn't a cure as yet for fibromyalgia, but the Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care team can help you manage your condition and make significant improvements to your quality of life.

The first step is to look at your daily routine and habits. Like most conditions, the better you care for your body, the less severe your symptoms are likely to be.

Vital aspects of managing fibromyalgia include maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly using gentle methods like yoga and Tai Chi, and eating a well-balanced diet.

Cut out bad habits like smoking and drinking alcohol, and find ways to reduce stress. Issues like poor posture and muscle tension can make fibromyalgia much worse, so making sure your muscles stay relaxed can make a big difference to your comfort levels.

The Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care experts also offer a selection of treatments that can help ease your pain, including:

Functional movement exercises
Ultrasound therapy
Electrical stimulation
Stretching
Hot and cold treatments
Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving creams
Trigger point therapy

It might also be worth having a chiropractic evaluation to address any underlying musculoskeletal issues like spinal subluxations (misalignments) that could be contributing to your pain.

Get expert help and support for fibromyalgia by calling the Centers for Pain Control and Vein Care today or book an appointment online.