When you break your leg or cut your arm, it’s easy to see the pain you may be feeling. For people with a condition called fibromyalgia, invisible pain can be a constant aching, throbbing, burning or stabbing pain, which takes over their limbs and body.
Living with fibromyalgia requires near-constant management, but with the help of medical and non-pharmaceutical support, people can often live relatively normal lives.
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is an invisible condition which causes widespread pain and tenderness throughout the body. Thought to affect nearly five per cent of Australians, fibromyalgia awareness is growing within the medical community [1]. As a result, more people are receiving a diagnosis for a condition which is notoriously hard to diagnose, treat and understand.
What are the early signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Due to the complex nature of fibromyalgia, it can take years for a person to be correctly diagnosed [2]. As is often the case with invisible and chronic conditions, sufferers may be misdiagnosed or feel ignored by medical professionals prior to diagnosis.
If you believe you could have fibromyalgia, there are a few common symptoms to look out for, because the condition is more than just widespread pain. While each person has their own set of fibromyalgia symptoms and triggers, some things sufferers may experience include:
- Sensitivity to pain and a decreased pain threshold
- Extreme fatigue
- Reduced cognitive function, including poor memory and concentration
- Difficulty falling and staying asleep
Less common symptoms include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Overactive or irritable bladder
- Constant headaches
- Tingling or numbness in limbs
- Anxiety and depression
[3]
How does fibromyalgia impact on everyday life?
Fibromyalgia causes several disruptions to everyday life.
Currently, there is no cure for the condition, and sufferers will often experience mild to severe flare-ups which can impact their day-to-day lives.
Some things impacted include:
- Sleep quality
- Pain makes it harder to sleep and muscle soreness can make it difficult to stay asleep or get comfortable.
- Cognitive function
- Also called ‘fibro fog’ [1], some sufferers can experience loss of memory and poor concentration
- Emotional and mental health
- Living in pain can cause people to experience depression and anxiety, particularly if the condition is hindering your ability to carry out everyday activities without pain.
What to do if you think you have fibromyalgia
If you are experiencing fibromyalgia symptoms, you should speak to health professional.
There isn’t a fibromyalgia test, like a blood test or scan, to confirm the condition, but your doctor will look at a wide range of things, including unexplained pain for more than three months. They may ask you to undertake some tests to rule out other conditions.
How can physio help fibromyalgia?
People with fibromyalgia usually require a multidisciplinary approach to pain management and prevention. While this usually always involves medication, there are a number of non-pharmaceutical fibromyalgia treatment options, including physiotherapy.
The team at Valens Care can help you with:
- Aerobic and strength conditioning
Although fibromyalgia doesn’t cause damage to the muscles, lack of movement while in pain can cause a decrease in strength and tone. Our team can create a low impact training and exercise program which will mean you can increase your strength without triggering your pain.
- Treatment for fibromyalgia through manual physiotherapy treatment
You may find manual treatment of muscles by a qualified physiotherapist can help treat fibromyalgia pain points. Physios can manipulate and massage your muscles to try and release tension, aches and pains. This may provide some temporary relief to pain symptoms, or help with things such as posture and movement to prevent any additional injury or pain.
- Support with aides and devices
You may require additional medical aides or support if your condition is severe. Things like muscle strapping, walking aides and TENS machines might be helpful for you, depending on your individual condition. A physiotherapist can help make recommendations on these supports as you navigate your condition.
Contact Valens Care today
If you have fibromyalgia, contact our friendly team for an appointment today to see how we can help manage your pain.
Disclaimers:
DISCLAIMER FOR GENERAL/BROAD HEALTH CARE ADVICE THAT DOESN’T INVOLVE A TREATMENT OR PROCEDURE
All information is general and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. ValensCare can consult with you regarding your individual health needs.
References:
[1] Fibromyalgia (painaustralia.org.au) 24 March 2024
[2] What is Fibromyalgia – Fibromyalgia Australia 24 March 2024
[3] Fibromyalgia – Better Health Channel 24 March 2024
