Pharmacological therapy of fibromyalgia: what patients should know
Fibromyalgia is a neurological disease characterized by referred pains in muscles and fascia. The disease is relating to paraarticular soft tissue pathologies. Several phases are distinguished in the development of the myofascial pain syndrome, which are acute, subacute and chronic. Fibromyalgia occurs in different parts of the body and has a distinct localization. The disease is characterized by the formation of trigger zones, which are areas of compaction in the muscle fibers.
Causes of fibromyalgia are:
- anomalies in the development of the musculoskeletal system (different lengths of limbs, flat foot, asymmetry of the pelvic bones);
- spinal curvature (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis);
- chronic joint diseases;
- excessive physical activity;
- impact injuries, traumas;
- prolonged immobilization;
- undercooling;
- chronic stresses;
- inconvenient clothes compressing the muscles.
The main cause of myofascial syndrome of the lumbosacral spine is excessive physical activity and prolonged sitting (at a computer, in a car).
Risk factors that trigger the onset or exacerbation of the disease include slouching, obesity, wearing tight clothes, emotional lability, and spinal diseases.
Fibromyalgia: what it is and how to treat it
As mentioned above, myofascial pain syndrome is a neurological pathology that manifests in pain and formation of muscle seals. The disease can manifest in various muscle groups.
Localization of myofascial pains:
- upper and lower limbs;
- head;
- abdomen;
- buttocks;
- back;
- chest;
- neck.
Note that myofascial pain syndrome of the cervical spine is most often caused by osteochondrosis or spondylosis. X-ray radiography is mandatorily assigned to a patient to confirm the diagnosis.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
- Myofascial pain syndrome of the face The disease is manifested by pain in the area of the masseter muscles, spasms of the facial muscles, limiting the movement of the lower jaw, and a crepitus in the temporomandibular joint.
- Chest and abdominal pains. Trigger points in this case cause the pain in the upper part of the chest and the right side of the subcostal area, imitating the symptoms of gallbladder dysfunction.
- Neck and shoulder pains. In case of cervical fibromyalgia, trigger points are located at the top of the trapezius muscle. Most often, this pathology develops in office workers and in people with impaired posture.
- Hip pain. The symptoms of fibromyalgia in this case are as follows: pain in the groin, radiating to the thigh, and the inability to be in a sitting position for a long time.
- Myofascial pain syndrome of the arms. The pain occurs during the flection and extension of the arms. The patient often experiences pain feelings in the elbow joints and in the little fingers.
- Pains in lower limbs. The causes of pathology are most often injuries and excessive physical exertion on the legs. The syndrome is manifested by the pain in knee joints and lateral thighs.
You can find out about the causes of fibromyalgia of the jaw and head at a consultation; you can book an appointment on our website. The attendance is provided by the specialists of the highest expert category with many years’ experience. If necessary, the doctor will prescribe a diagnostics and tell you in detail about fibromyalgia, what it is and how to treat the disease.
Diagnostics
A neuropathologist will treat the pathology. After a thorough examination of a patient, a doctor may prescribe additional examinations, namely: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), electroneuromyography, ultrasound examination and X-ray radiography. Based on the results of the examinations, a treatment scheme will be prescribed.
Read more about diagnostics in Dobrobut
Treatment of fibromyalgia
The course of therapy begins with the treatment of the underlying disease that caused myofascial pain syndrome. In addition, the patient will be prescribed anesthetics, sedatives and antispasmodics. It is appropriate to prescribe anesthetic ointments to eliminate pain. After the removal of acute pain, therapeutic massage, acupuncture and exercise therapy are recommended. Additional treatment methods for fibromyalgia include special stretching exercises for the affected muscles and hot wraps.
Important!
It is necessary to treat the pathology at the first symptoms before the formation of complications and the transition of the disease to a chronic form. The earlier the treatment is started, the more chances the patient has for a full recovery. During a consultation a doctor will not only recommend certain methods of treatment, but will also tell you what helps other people for the pain of fibromyalgia.
Prevention
Regular exercise, healthy sleep, emotional peace, a properly equipped workplace, good nutrition and the correct distribution of weight when doing hard physical work will help in prevention of the disease. Office workers who spend most of their working time in a sitting position and drivers need to maintain correct posture and alternate work periods with 15-minute breaks.
Author of the article: Elena Zagoruyko, M.D.
Date of publication: 17.01.2020
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