Fibromyalgia
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, intense fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties ("fibro fog"). While the exact cause is unknown, it involves central nervous system dysfunction—a heightened sensitivity to pain—often triggered by physical trauma, infection, or emotional stress. It is more common in women and typically diagnosed in middle age.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
-
Widespread Pain: Pain that lasts for more than 3 months, often described as a dull ache, affecting both sides of the body.
-
Fatigue: Extreme tiredness that persists regardless of sleep quality.
-
Cognitive Issues ("Fibro Fog"):Difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and mental slowing.
-
Sleep Disorders: Insomnia or waking up unrefreshed.
-
Other Symptoms: Morning stiffness, headaches, jaw pain (TMJ), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anxiety, depression, and tingling/numbness in hands and feet.
How Can Physical Therapy Help Fibromyalgia?
-
Gradual increase in load tollerance
-
Dry needling
-
Vagus nerve stimulation
-
Breathing exercises
-
Retraining the body to decrease reactiveness to pain signals
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and increased sensitivity to touch or pressure. It is believed to involve changes in how the nervous system processes pain signals, making the body more sensitive to normal sensations.
What causes fibromyalgia?
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not fully understood. Researchers believe it involves a combination of genetic factors, nervous system changes, stress, and environmental triggers such as illness, injury, or trauma.
What are the common symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Common symptoms include:
-
widespread body pain
-
fatigue
-
sleep disturbances
-
brain fog or difficulty concentrating
-
headaches
-
increased sensitivity to touch, light, or sound
Symptoms can vary from person to person and often fluctuate over time.
Why does fibromyalgia cause so much pain?
In fibromyalgia, the nervous system may amplify pain signals, a process known as central sensitization. This means that the brain and spinal cord become more sensitive, causing normal sensations or minor stimuli to feel painful.
Can physical therapy help fibromyalgia?
Yes. Physical therapy can help improve strength, mobility, and overall function. Treatment often focuses on gentle exercise, pacing strategies, nervous system regulation, and gradually increasing activity tolerance.
What types of exercise are best for fibromyalgia?
Low-impact and gradually progressed exercises are often most helpful. These may include walking, gentle strengthening, aquatic therapy, and mobility exercises designed to build tolerance without triggering flare-ups.
Why do fibromyalgia symptoms flare up?
Fibromyalgia symptoms can flare due to factors such as stress, poor sleep, illness, overexertion, or environmental changes. Learning pacing strategies and gradual activity progression can help reduce the frequency and severity of flares.
Can fibromyalgia improve with treatment?
Many people with fibromyalgia experience improvement with a combination of treatments such as exercise therapy, stress management, sleep support, and education about pain processing. While symptoms may fluctuate, many individuals learn strategies that significantly improve their quality of life.
2026
Tongling Wang, Hao Su, Yilun Zhou, Liwen Du, Yuanyuan LV, Laikang Yu
2022
Dalila Scaturro, Fabio Vitagliani, Sofia Tomasello, Mirko Filippetti, Alessandro Picelli, Nicola Smania, Giulia Letizia Mauro
2019
Fernanda Mendonça Araújo, Josimari Melo DeSantana