Information on Fibromyalgia at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue (feeling tired). People with fibromyalgia have ‘tender points’ on the body. Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These points hurt when pressure is put on them. Other symptoms include morning stiffness, headaches, painful menstrual periods, tingling or numbness in hands and feet and problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called ‘fibro fog’). More from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Fibromyalgia Information from the National Fibromyalgia Foundation
Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally and socially. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause...More at the National Fibromyalgia Foundation
Fibromyalgia Information at Johns Hopkins Medicine
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, chronic, generalized pain syndrome of unknown origin. Although pain and tenderness are its defining features, fatigue, sleep disturbance, non-cardiac chest pain, depression and poor concentration are also common. FM is second only to osteoarthritis in frequency of visits to rheumatology clinics, and about 5% of women and 0.5% of men in the United States will be affected, and the majority will be between 30 to 50 years of age...More at Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Alternative medicine in the treatment of fibromyalgia
This article provides basic information on fibromyalgia and "what the science says" about the effectiveness of complementary and alternative (CAM) practices that many people with fibromyalgia use. If you are considering a CAM therapy for fibromyalgia, this information can help you talk to your health care provider about it.
Guideline for the management of fibromyalgia syndrome pain in adults and children.
Recommendations for diagnosis and assessment of fibromyalgia, and for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic pain management therapies.
Fibromyalgia treatment guideline.
Treatment guidelines from the University of Texas, School of Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner Program. Includes a patient assessment questionnaire.
Acupuncture and electroacupuncture: evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Generally the application of EA stimulation greatly enhances the effect of needling therapy and can increase level of analgesia and significantly extends the period of treatment effectiveness. Many practitioners apply EA as a primary modality for acute and chronic pain and musculoskeletal problems because of its ability to produce a strong analgesic effect.
Abstract: Antipolymer antibody reactivity in a subset of patients with fibromyalgia correlates with severity.
These results reveal that an immunological response, production of anti-polymer antibodies, is associated with a subset of patients with FM. The results also suggest that the APA assay may be an objective marker in the diagnosis and assessment of FM and may provide additional avenues of investigation into the pathophysiological processes involved in FM. See abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Anti-polymer antibodies are correlated with pain and fatigue severity in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.
APA test exhibited a low sensitivity in FM patients and it did not distinguish this group of patients from the controls enrolled in this study. Interestingly, positive APA test prevalence increased with less severe pain or fatigue. See abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and myofascial pain.
A high prevalence of autoantibodies to cytoskeletal and nuclear envelope proteins was found in chronic fatigue syndrome, and an increased prevalence of antipolymer antibodies was found in symptomatic silicone breast implant recipients who often have fibromyalgia. See abstract at PubMed.
Abstract: Antipolymer antibody in Italian fibromyalgic patients.
In conclusion, APA cannot be considered a marker of disease in Italian FM patients. The presence of APA, however, might permit the identification of a subset of FM patients with more severe symptoms and of patients who may respond differently to different therapeutic strategies.
Abstract: Influence of Craniosacral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia.
The objective of this study was to analyze the repercussions of craniosacral therapy on depression, anxiety and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients with painful symptoms. State anxiety and trait anxiety, pain, quality of life and Pittsburgh sleep quality index were significantly higher in the intervention versus placebo group after the treatment period and at the 6-month follow-up.
Abstract: Neurologic signs and symptoms in fibromyalgia.
This blinded, controlled study demonstrated neurologic physical examination findings in persons with FM. The FM group had more neurologic symptoms than did the controls, with moderate correlation between symptoms and signs. These findings have implications for the medical evaluation of patients with FM.
Abstract: Qualitative systemic review of randomized controlled trials on complementary and alternative medicine treatments in fibromyalgia.
Mindfulness meditation showed mostly positive results in two trials and acupuncture mixed results in multiple trials with a tendency toward positive results. Tendencies for improvement were furthermore noted in single trials of the Mesendieck system, connective tissue massage and to some degree for osteopathy and magnet therapy. No positive evidence could be identified for Qi Gong, biofeedback, and body awareness therapy.
Abstract: Fibromyalgic syndromes: could growth hormone therapy be beneficial?
Preliminary placebo-controlled trials have shown that GH therapy can significantly improve signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia and quality of life in patients receiving the current standard of care. Despite the use of relatively high doses of GH in these patients, treatment is well tolerated.
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