Dear Fibromyalgia

Year: 2023

  • Can weight loss cure arthritis

    Can weight loss cure arthritis? Not exactly. There are over 100 forms of arthritis, each with different causes, affecting over 50 million people in the U.S. annually. But, while all of these different types of arthritis have varying treatment goals and approaches, there’s one preventative strategy they all have in common. And that’s where weight loss comes in. While some treatment options include pain management through medications, one of the best drug-free options to reduce pain is also one of the simplest and most affordable: weight management. Here are six ways that managing weight can help your with arthritis, no matter what type of arthritis you suffer from.

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    1. Painful joints have less to support

    This is the most straightforward way that managing weight helps with arthritis. The joints in our bodies get a lot of use over a lifetime, and over time the cartilage and cushioning between joints can wear away, causing a wear-and-tear type of arthritis called osteoarthritis. When joint cushioning is worn away, the bones in the joint rub against each other, causing pain and inflammation.

    One study found that women who lost 11 pounds reduced their risk of osteoarthritis by 50%. Even moving the needle from obese to overweight made a difference. In men, losing enough weight to move from a BMI of obese to one of overweight reduced their risk of osteoarthritis in the knee by 20%. For women, the reduction was 30%.

    Less weight means less pressure on the joints, and less pressure means less pain.

    2. Exercise makes daily life easier

    Maintaining a healthy weight may mean changes in exercise levels. Those who begin an exercise plan to maintain a healthy weight may find that this also helps them with tasks in daily life. Climbing stairs, cleaning house, playing with the kids, and even changing a lightbulb are all made easier with the strength you gain from exercise.

    These results will not happen immediately. In order to get the full effects of exercise, it is important to be consistent and exercise daily. For those with extreme joint pain, it is important to talk to your doctor first, but know that over time, as the body becomes stronger and endurance increases, even exercise itself will become easier.

    3. Exercise gives you more energy

    Maybe the thought of hauling your painful joints off the couch makes you tired, but know this: as you consistently exercise, losing weight and building strength and flexibility, your body actually has more energy.

    Researcher Patrick O’Connor, phd and co-director of the University of Georgia exercise psychology laboratory in Athens, Georgia recognizes that it may be hard to believe.

    “A lot of times when people are fatigued, the last thing they want to do is exercise, but if you’re physically inactive and fatigued, being just a bit more active will help…it may be that lacing up your tennis shoes and getting out and doing some physical activity every morning can provide that spark of energy that people are looking for.”

    4. Improved mood due to exercise breaks the vicious cycle of pain, sleep issues, and depression

    Even if pain is not actually worse, poor sleep due to arthritis can bring on mood disorders like depression which make pain seem worse. Managing your weight through exercise sheds pounds while boosting mood, a double bonus for those who need help managing chronic arthritis pain.

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    Dr. Patricia Parmelee from the Center for Mental Health & Aging at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa found that sleep and pain were closely linked:

    “Sleep disturbance is a common complaint among those with pain, particularly among those with OA. Our research is unique as we investigate the complex relationships among sleep, OA-related pain, disability and depressed mood simultaneously in a single study.”

    5. Maintaining a proper BMI can be key to arthritis remission

    Weight management to help with arthritis isn’t always about losing weight. A new study from Hospital of Special Surgery found that those patients with a BMI that was either too high or too low meant a shorter period of remission for those with rheumatoid arthritis. Although higher BMI was linked with more pain and inflammation, those who were severely underweight also had less chance of remission.

    Susan Goodman, M.D., a rheumatologist at HSS, says this result was not expected:

    “What’s striking is that if you look at the BMI classifications, all the patients in the underweight or overweight categories were much less likely to achieve sustained remission compared to those with a normal BMI. Patients who were severely obese had an even lower chance of achieving sustained remission.”

    Managing weight to stay within your target BMI range may be key to remission of pain while decreasing inflammation. She also noted that:

    “Our findings represent the first study to present evidence that BMI should be considered among the modifiable risk factors for poor RA outcomes. There are many things patients can do to manage the disease. Along with timely diagnosis and treatment, weight control and other good practices can result in better outcomes.”

    6. Managing weight can be delicious

    Exercise and proper sleep are just two ways to manage weight, and the benefits of both include less pain and improved mood. But weight can be managed in another way the helps with arthritis pain. Did you know that the foods you eat can have a dramatic and positive impact on your arthritis? Many foods have anti-inflammatory properties and can actually help reduce painful symptoms.

    Eating a diet filled with anti-inflammatory foods can help manage painful, swollen joints even as it helps you lose weight. Anti-inflammatory foods include things like leafy greens, cherries, wild salmon, and almonds.

    For best results, including a quick shedding of pounds, eliminate common inflammation-causing foods like sugar, white flour, and any processed foods. Some people find that dairy or wheat causes painful joint pain flare-ups. There are more substitutes for dairy and wheat than there used to be, but those can be filled with fat, sugar, and salt and should be eaten sparingly.

    The more whole foods you can incorporate into your diet the better. An easy way to think about eating for weight management and anti-inflammation is this: eat foods as close to their natural state as possible.

    What foods are good for arthritis?

    The Arthritis Foundation has released this helpful arthritis diet guide from Dr. Andrew Weil to consult when planning meals. The suggested foods not only reduce inflammation but also increase energy naturally and help maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet.

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    Consider eating the following anti-inflammatory foods:

    • Fruits and vegetables
    • Whole grains, pastas, and legumes
    • Healthy fats, such as olive oil, avocados, and nuts
    • Fish and seafood
    • Whole soy foods such as edamame, tofu, and soy milk
    • Cooked Asian mushrooms
    • Other sources of protein including cheese, eggs, and lean meats
    • Healthy herbs and spices, such as cinnamon and garlic
    • White, green, and oolong tea
    • Daily supplements
    • Red wine in moderation
    • Healthy sweets, such as dark chocolate

    While the anti-inflammatory diet is not intended to promote weight loss, many individuals using it to reduce the inflammation in their joints also experience the health benefit of losing weight. The Arthritis Foundation also recommends that you eat as many fresh foods as possible and choose organic when you can. Water should also be consumed throughout the day—at least 64 ounces.

    Research has shown that body fat increases inflammation within the body. By eating these healthy foods you can reduce your body fat and, subsequently, the resulting pain in your joints. Pain can also be caused by a number of conditions related to body fat or hormone imbalance. Your doctor can refer you to a nutritionist who can help you with the right diet choices for your specific arthritis symptoms. It is important to consult your physician before making any drastic changes to your diet.

    Can weight loss cure arthritis? 

    So, can weight loss cure arthritis? No. But, it is the closest we’ve come to a cure for many types of arthritis. And since it’s non-invasive and comes with its own host of health benefits, it’s also the best treatment plan for your overall health.

    Weight loss through exercise specifically can also help treat or manage:

    • Sleep apnea issues or other sleep disorders
    • Mood disorders, like depression
    • Other chronic pain conditions, like back pain
    • Fatigue
    • Cardiovascular health concerns

    Simply put, there’s no medicine like weight loss from exercise. Talk to your doctor today to learn how weight loss can help you reduce pain and get back to the life you love. In addition, they’ll be able to talk to you about complementary treatment options. These can allow you to exercise with less pain, especially during the beginning of your treatment plan. They include:

    • Physical therapy to build up key muscles around your joints
    • Braces to provide more support during exercise
    • Glucosamine or other supplements to help build up healthy tissue
    • Joint injections to alleviate pain while you’re working on weight loss

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    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

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  • Why fibromyalgia tender points are important for diagnosis

    Fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder that affects approximately 12 million people in the U.S. This chronic disorder causes aches and pains in the body that are severe enough to impact normal activity and disrupt sleep. A person with fibromyalgia may feel pain in the muscles, tissues, joints, and tendons in different areas of the body. Along with these physical symptoms, people suffering from fibromyalgia also experience mental issues as a result of fibromyalgia, including depression and anxiety. Fibromyalgia can also cause deep fatigue and exhaustion, even with very little activity. Even with so many people suffering from fibromyalgia, it remains a difficult disorder to diagnose. One of the most valuable tools for diagnosis was defining fibromyalgia tender points.

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    The history of a fibromyalgia diagnosis

    Fibromyalgia is a term that has only been used in the last few decades to describe a condition of widespread pain throughout the body that also includes fatigue, poor sleep quality, and mood issues. It is possible, however, that mentions of a fibromyalgia diagnosis date all the way back to the 1600s.

    Fibromyalgia has had many names throughout the years including:

    Since physicians could not find any evidence of inflammation, these names were replaced with fibromyalgia in 1976. This translates from its Greek roots into “pain in the muscles and tissue.” While a fibromyalgia diagnosis is still difficult to establish today, there have been many recent advances. Research has led to promising tools and guidelines to help pain doctors and patients alike. One of the earliest was the fibromyalgia tender points scale.

    Understanding fibromyalgia

    Fibromyalgia affects about 4% of the U.S. population (~ ten million people) and is predominately found in women.

    Fibromyalgia is not a condition of exclusion, but its symptoms are common in many other illnesses. To make things more complicated, fibro symptoms can appear on their own or in tandem with another disorder. Identifying the cause of each can be problematic. This situation is exacerbated since fibro is a waxing and waning condition, making patterns more difficult to recognize even with thorough tracking.

    Although researchers agree that there is a neurological component to the disease, many previously believed that it was all in a person’s head. Some studies have pointed to risk factors such as a genetic predisposition to feeling pain more intensely. Other evidence connects the development of fibromyalgia to a stressful or traumatic event, repetitive injury, or other disease. Sometimes fibromyalgia has no clear cause or trigger and develops on its own.

    Women are three times more likely to develop fibromyalgia as men, and people with certain illnesses already present may have an increased risk. Autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid or spinal arthritis sufferers develop fibromyalgia at a higher rate than those without these conditions.

    There is no simple, scientifically-supported test to identify if someone has fibromyalgia. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it takes the average person five years to be diagnosed with fibro and this is generally after extensive other treatments have occurred. Misdiagnosis can still occur, but there are far more developed and data backed approaches that physicians use today.

    Fibromyalgia diagnosis – developing the modern view

    In 1981, the first clinical study was published that confirmed that symptoms and tender points of fibromyalgia could be found in the body. This study also established the first data-driven criteria for this condition.

    In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) created the first set of guidelines to help diagnose fibromyalgia. These guidelines set forth the following formal criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis in a research context:

    • The patient must have a history of widespread pain lasting more than three months
    • This pain must affect both sides of the body and be present above and below the waist
    • Of the 18 tender points designated on the human body, at least 11 of them must be in pain

    Before these guidelines were released, a fibromyalgia diagnosis was completely subjective and many were skeptical that the disorder even existed. Even with these new guidelines, fibromyalgia is a condition that can come and go, so using the fibromyalgia tender points criteria can be misleading or change from day-to-day.

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    Fibromyalgia tender points 

    Although most of the population has a spot or two on their body that may be more sensitive than others, people with fibromyalgia often experience excruciating tenderness in very specific locations that are spread across their body. Tenderness is generally mirrored on both sides of the body and is located at nine specific places on the body.

    The nine fibromyalgia tender points locations are as follows:

    • Low cervical region: Front neck area just below the chin near the C5-C7 vertebrae
    • Second rib: Front chest area below the collarbone about 2 inches from the shoulder joint
    • Occiput: Back of the neck at the base of the skull
    • Trapezius muscle: Back shoulder area where this large muscle drapes over the top of the shoulder
    • Supraspinatus muscle: Shoulder blade area just at the top of the shoulder blade
    • Lateral epicondyle: Elbow area in the inside of the arm crease
    • Gluteal: Rear end at upper outer quadrant of the buttocks
    • Greater trochanter: Rear hip in the back
    • Knee: Knee area on the inside where the fat pad sits

    These nine areas are also sometimes called fibromyalgia tender spots. Because fibromyalgia cannot be diagnosed with a lab test, counting fibromyalgia tender points and taking a detailed patient history were often the best ways to get a clear diagnosis. Scroll to the infographic at the end of this post to see these.

    You can also see these in the following video.

    The Symptom Intensity Scale 

    To build on the fibromyalgia tender points scale, the Symptom Intensity Scale was developed using survey results from nearly 12,800 patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or fibromyalgia. These patients located pain in 38 anatomic areas of their body and then also completed a fatigue visual analogue scale. The fatigue analog scale requires a patient to mark their level of fatigue on a ten-centimeter line on the day they identified their pain symptoms.

    In 2006, Frederick Wolfe and Johannes J. Rasker completed an evaluation of 25,417 patients using the Symptom Intensity Scale and found that it was the best and clearest diagnostic tool for fibromyalgia. They also found that higher Scale scores indicated increases in hospitalization, disability, serious medical issues, and death.

    Because of this relationship, the Scale can be used to measure overall health and also predict outcomes for patients with a number of diseases. It uncovers “hidden” illness that accompanies the presenting illness, such as depression or anxiety in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

    Updated 2010 criteria 

    While the fibromyalgia tender points are still helpful, they’re not the only path to diagnosis for medical professionals. In 2010, the American College of Rheumatology published another set of criteria for fibromyalgia. It eliminated the fibromyalgia tender points count and replaced it with the widespread pain index (WPI) and symptom severity scale (SS).

    The WPI calculates if a person has experienced pain in the last two weeks in 19 separate general body areas. Each body area is assigned a one if there is pain or a zero if there is no pain and these are added together to reach a score between 0 and 19.

    The SS measures the severity of the person’s fatigue, sleep quality, cognitive symptoms, and somatic symptoms. Each of these four categories is given a score of 0 – 3 and added together for a total possible score of 12.

    Using these new scales, the ACR changed the diagnosis guidelines to:

    • WPI ≥ 7 and SS ≥ 5 OR WPI 3–6 and SS ≥ 9
    • Symptoms have been persistent for at least three months
    • There is no other disorder that could explain the pain

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    Getting a fibromyalgia diagnosis

    Physicians must rely on a patient’s communicated symptoms to make a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Therefore, the first thing a doctor will do is conduct a thorough physical examination of the muscles and joints. After doing this, she or he will then discuss any symptoms a patient is currently having.

    Some of main symptoms of fibro include:

    • Pain: Constant full body pain with pain at the fibromyalgia tender points
    • Unrefreshing sleep: Even after an uninterrupted eight hours
    • Fatigue: Chronic fatigue or exhaustion after strenuous activity
    • Memory loss: Short-term memory problems coupled with bouts of confusion and inability to concentrate
    • Increased pain sensitivity: Hyperalgesia or allodynia
    • Depression

    Fibromyalgia often is present with other health issues, so a doctor will likely ask about other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, restless leg syndrome, frequent urination, and anxiety.

    Since fibro can occur with other illnesses, the next step is to start eliminating more serious medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. The doctor will run tests on your blood, thyroid, and vitamin D levels. Other tests that could be required are X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Finally, a biopsy and a physiological exam could be necessary to rule out any suspected mental health issues.

    Helping along the diagnosis process

    Since fibromyalgia is mainly based off the symptoms that patients share, there are some smart things you can do if you believe you are suffering from fibromyalgia. These tips could save you time, money, and lots of frustration. And, they can help get you back on the path to being healthy and happy faster.

    • Make sure to communicate any mental or physical trauma that has occurred to you. A major event like this is sometimes associated with the development of fibro symptoms.
    • Keep a pain diary that includes the location of your pain, how it feels, severity, and the length of time it lasts. This can be a perfect tool to parse out fibro from other health issues.
    • Choose the right doctor. The stigma around fibromyalgia is fading as more research comes out, but some physicians will be reluctant to diagnose it. Make sure you go to a doctor who is specialized in pain management and has the experience to help you find the right diagnosis.

    Finding fibromyalgia treatments

    Treatment of fibromyalgia is best approached as a team, with doctors, physical therapists, and other alternative practitioners working together to treat the physical and mental symptoms.

    Some treatments include:

    • Dietary changes to eliminate anything that causes inflammation or triggers a pain response (e.g., sugar and red meat)
    • Changes to exercise plans, including exercises for days when pain is present, and exercise that includes meditation
    • Prescription medicines as needed
    • Sleep counseling to develop proper sleep habits to combat fatigue
    • Changes to work schedules to accommodate good and bad days

    Families also play an important role in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Suffering from an “invisible” but chronic illness such as fibromyalgia can be socially isolating. It is important that the family members are supportive of treatment and are understanding when their loved one needs to rest.

    The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is sponsoring more research on fibromyalgia to better understand this disease, specifically in relation to diagnosis, causes, and better treatments.

    To get a fibromyalgia diagnosis, click here to find a certified pain specialist in your area. They have dedicated experience working with fibromyalgia patients and will use the latest diagnostic guidelines to help you diagnose your condition.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
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    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • Fibromyalgia research looks ahead to 3 emerging treatments

    Notoriously difficult to diagnose, fibromyalgia causes very real pain to those affected by it despite remaining a mystery in many other ways. A musculoskeletal disorder, it’s characterized by a lowered pain threshold and extra sensitivity to situations that would cause an unaffected person no pain at all. Fibromyalgia research is constantly looking for emerging therapies that could help a patient reduce their pain. Here’s three of the latest.

    Fibromyalgia research tackles causes

    Although fibromyalgia affects roughly 2 to 4 percent of the U.S. population (about 9.5 million people), its exact cause remains unknown. Maybe a single cause is so hard to pin down because the development of fibromyalgia has been linked to a number of different factors, some combination of which could be the culprit.

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    Researchers believe that any of the following may contribute to a person’s risk for developing fibromyalgia:

    • Genetics
    • Psychological and emotional factors
    • Illness
    • Trauma
    • Neurobiology
    • Environmental factors

    For example, a genetic mutation might make someone more likely to develop the disorder, while others argue that fibromyalgia can be triggered by an infection or sickness. And some experts link the onset of the disorder to physical or emotional trauma, as patients who present with fibromyalgia have often also been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

    One thing’s for sure: Fibromyalgia affects more women than men, with nine women diagnosed for every one man. This may be a result of certain reproductive hormones present in women, but nothing can be decisively said as to why women are at a higher risk than men.

    Why fibromyalgia hurts

    The cause may be unclear, but the pain is easier to explain. Once the condition presents itself, fibromyalgia pain results from an unusually high amount of certain chemicals in the brain that are responsible for triggering pain signals. This is also called a neurochemical imbalance.

    At the same time, although we don’t completely understand why, pain receptors in the brain become extra sensitive to pain, causing contact that would otherwise not be uncomfortable to be very painful for a person suffering from fibromyalgia.

    These pain symptoms can be accompanied by a range of other problems, including:

    You can find out more about fibromyalgia in the following video.

    Diagnosing fibromyalgia

    Unfortunately, there is no chemical test available to directly confirm a person is afflicted with fibromyalgia. Instead, a doctor must use a number of other methods to make a diagnosis.

    Initially the doctor will observe the patient’s pain symptoms. According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain endured for a minimum of three months. The term “widespread” means the pain should be present on both sides of the body as well as on both the upper and lower body.

    The ACR also describes fibromyalgia as tenderness or pain felt at specific places on the body, including the shoulders, the upper chest, the elbows, the hips and the knees. There are a total of 18 of these specific points listed by the ACR, and a person must experience pain in at least 11 of these for the condition to be considered fibromyalgia.

    But the surest way a doctor can determine a patient suffers from fibromyalgia is actually to rule out every other possible condition — a process which can be involved and lengthy. Patients shouldn’t be discouraged at the sometimes long process, however, as it means the doctors and medical staff are being as thorough as possible.

    Developing fibromyalgia treatments

    Treatment plans for fibromyalgia can be complex. Since there’s no cure for the condition itself, treatment must instead focus on the symptoms, on any coexisting conditions, and on any underlying medical problems that could have triggered or aggravated the fibromyalgia in the first place. We’ll discuss some of these more common treatment plans, before discussing the emerging treatments that fibromyalgia research is focusing on.

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    Medication

    Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) like ibuprofen or naproxen might be recommended to alleviate some discomfort, or the doctor may prescribe something a little stronger, for example, tramadol. In some cases, anti-seizure drugs can be prescribed to effectively reduce fibromyalgia pain symptoms.

    The combination of medications a doctor prescribes will ultimately depend on the patient’s exact symptoms, since these are rarely identical from patient to patient. Every person’s case is unique, with different triggers, different levels of pain, and different conditions or symptoms occurring simultaneously. For example, an antidepressant might also be necessary to fight lethargy, or a relaxant may be required to initiate sleep.

    Lifestyle changes

    Usually doctors will also inform the patient of lifestyle changes he or she can make at home to help with treatment. These include:

    • Getting adequate amounts of sleep
    • Committing to a regular exercise routine
    • Eating a healthy diet
    • Limiting intake of caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants

    Due to fear of their symptoms and the associated pain and discomfort, people who suffer from fibromyalgia can be inclined to withdraw from society and become inactive. Doctors recommend against this, however, as those patients who remain as active as possible — without overdoing it — on a consistent basis, seem to have the best success with managing their symptoms and leading normal lives.

    Many people also benefit from therapy sessions, in which they can not only discuss with a professional counselor the impact fibromyalgia has had on their lives, but also explore strategies for overall stress reduction on a day-to-day basis. This type of training can be crucial for giving patients the confidence to keep living their lives to the fullest potential, without the concern of being limited by their condition.

    Emerging treatments based on new fibromyalgia research

    Fibromyalgia frequently doesn’t respond well to traditional medications, but the good news is that many people find alternative remedies helpful. Therapies like oxygen chamber therapy, low-level laser therapy, and transdermal magnesium are hitting the market, giving fibromyalgia patients new options for managing pain and improving quality of life.

    Oxygen chamber therapy in particular has researchers making grand promises—promises not just of pain relief, but of the possibility to reverse fibromyalgia. The treatment is still early in the study stage. However, researchers understand more about fibromyalgia every day, and this increasingly deep knowledge could one day result in a cure.

    1. Oxygen chamber therapy heralds promise to reduce fibromyalgia pain

    This treatment, which involves breathing in pure oxygen from a tube or while sitting in a pressurized room—hence the term “chamber”—has shown promise for helping people with fibromyalgia.

    Officially known as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the treatment been used for some time to help scuba divers heal from decompression sickness, which is when gasses in the blood form bubbles as divers move toward low pressure. The treatment also works for slow-healing wounds related to diabetes or serious infections, according to Mayo Clinic.

    Enhanced functioning

    Research from Rice University has also found the treatment offers hope for fibromyalgia patients. Scientists evaluated 48 women with fibromyalgia who underwent oxygen chamber therapy for two months and found that 100% of them experienced some form of benefit.

    An increasing body of clinical evidence shows that fibromyalgia develops from abnormalities in the nervous system and brain pathways, many of them related to pain processing. Rice researchers found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy enhanced functioning in these faulty areas.

    Fibromyalgia affects about five million people, most of them women. Researcher Eshel Ben-Jacob says:

    “Symptoms for about 70% of the women who took part have to do with the interpretation of pain in their brains… They’re the ones who showed the most improvement with hyperbaric oxygen treatment. We found significant changes in their brain activity.”

    In the study, participants underwent 40 treatments, each lasting 90 minutes, for five days each week over the course of two months. During treatment sessions, patients breathe in oxygen that’s pressurized three times higher than normal air. The highly pressurized nature allows lungs to absorb greater quantities of oxygen, which then gets absorbed systemically by the body.

    Pain reduction

    Fibromyalgia patients receiving oxygen chamber therapy also experienced a dramatic reduction in pain. The body thrives off this pure oxygen and is better able to heal, fight off bacteria, or in the case of fibromyalgia patients, process pain. Many patients who participated in the study were able to decrease the amount of medications they were taking or, in some cases, stop taking pills all together.

    Researchers said oxygen chamber therapy actually reversed fibromyalgia, targeting the condition’s source, while all the pills did was ease pain, and not heal the underlying condition. Researcher Shai Efrati says:

    “The results are of significant importance since, unlike the current treatments offered for fibromyalgia patients, (oxygen chamber therapy) is not aiming for just symptomatic improvement…(It’s) aiming for the actual cause—the brain pathology responsible for the syndrome. It means that brain repair, including even neuronal regeneration, is possible even for chronic, long-lasting pain syndromes, and we can and should aim for that in any future treatment development.”

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    These promises aren’t as grandiose as they may seem: Efrati says 70% of the research participants no longer had diagnosable criteria for fibromyalgia at the end of the study.

    Oxygen chamber therapy currently has federal approval for use in 14 conditions, including serious infections and burns, but not yet for fibromyalgia, according to webmd.

    Unfortunately, until future studies prove the benefit on a wide scale and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves the treatment, insurance plans won’t cover the treatments, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars because so many are needed.

    We’ll be sure to keep you up to date as this exciting area of fibromyalgia research develops.

    2. Fibromyalgia research focuses on non-invasive low-level light laser therapy 

    With laser therapy, lasers shoot through soft tissue, and the light of the beam raises the temperature. Data is so far mixed on whether the technology works, but fibromyalgia research does show benefits that are promising. Scientists aren’t sure how the treatment works, but are working to learn more.

    One possible theory that explains how low-level light laser therapy works involves a process known as photo bio stimulation. This idea holds that when the energy of the laser penetrates the tissue, it creates adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP), which helps produce cellular energy.

    Benefits of photo bio stimulation include:

    • Reduced pain and swelling
    • Improved circulation
    • Enhanced delivery of life-supporting materials like water, oxygen, and other nutrients

    Research results for this therapy have been mixed, but several have shown promise. More research is needed to better quantify the potential for this therapy to treat pain from fibromyalgia.

    Other names for low-level laser therapy are cold laser therapy, low-energy laser therapy, low-intensity laser, and monochromatic infrared light energy (MIRE) therapy.

    3. Transdermal magnesium shows promise for fibromyalgia pain 

    Magnesium is an important nutrient for optimal body functioning, however many people don’t ingest enough of mineral. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and anxiety may all be symptoms of a deficiency.

    People often take magnesium in pill form, but transdermal magnesium involves applying magnesium directly to the skin. One way of doing this involves rubbing oil directly on the skin, where it can easily be absorbed and distributed throughout the entire body. Another option is to take a bath with Epsom salt, which is magnesium sulfate.

    Gels and patches are also available, however rubbing oil on the body and taking baths have relaxation and other therapeutic benefits, and are wonderful ways to receive healthy amounts of magnesium.

    Only a few small trials of fibromyalgia research have found transdermal magnesium has a large benefit, but the anecdotal evidence is vast. Plus, with magnesium deficiencies so common, transdermal magnesium is a good health practice to have.

    Finding relief

    While fibromyalgia research continues to pave the way for new and innovative treatments, patients should first make sure they have an accurate diagnosis. You can work closely with a pain doctor to find out if you have fibromyalgia. They can also help you learn more about complementary and advanced treatments for reducing your pain.

    https://fibromyalgia-6.creator-spring.com/
    https://www.teepublic.com/stores/fibromyalgia-store

    Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….

    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

    Click here to Contact us Directly on Inbox

    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

    Click here to Visit Fibromyalgia Store

  • How to relieve shoulder pain at night

    Shoulder pain at night is a very common issue among chronic pain sufferers. The shoulder is one of the most vulnerable joints as it has such a wide range of motion, which opens it up to various injuries and problems. So, why are you experiencing shoulder pain at night and what can you do to find relief? We discuss five treatment options ranging from shoulder stretches to chiropractic to interventional procedures.

    Issues associated with shoulder pain at night

    On top of the pain, most people with shoulder pain at night sleep poorly, which a completely different set of problems has associated with it. These can include:

    Sleeplessness can become a vicious cycle of decreasing sleep and increased pain, which will only make your condition worse.

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    Causes of shoulder pain when night

    Although many shoulder disorders can cause pain, the most common cause of shoulder pain at night comes from rotator cuff tendinitis. It usually is caused by irritation of the shoulder tendons leading to inflammation and pain. This condition can be caused by many things, including:

    Rotator cuff tendinitis is known to affect millions of people in the U.S. each year and is a major cause of shoulder pain when sleeping.

    Some of the other causes of shoulder pain at night are:

    Why exactly does the pain increase at night even though it might be fine during the day?

    Why do I have shoulder pain at night only? 

    While this nighttime shoulder pain cannot always be explained, a lot of the pain comes down to:

    • Being still at night
    • Unrelieved tension and stress from the day
    • The sleeping position you choose
    • Your mattress

    During the day, the shoulder is being actively used while you are in a vertical position. The tendons engage and are pulled downward by gravity, which allows space to be made in the muscle groups in the shoulder. This additional space allows for an increase in blood flow and oxygen that alleviates the stiffness and pain that would be present otherwise.

    When you lay down to rest or sleep at night, you are generally in a horizontal position. This removes the effect of gravity and allows the shoulder muscles to relax. The lack of movement and the relaxation of the muscles allows the fluids in your joints to settle and decreases the flow of blood, allowing the joint to become inflamed. People also tend to lie on their shoulder while sleeping, which can compress the joint even further, and thereby worsening the inflammation.

    How-to relieve shoulder pain at night

    If your shoulder pain is worse at night, there are ways to ease your pain.

    1. Find a better sleeping position 

    The first course of action to relieve shoulder pain at night is to find a good sleeping position for you. Tossing and turning at night is normal for most people, but can agitate your shoulder if you land on it wrong. Sleeping on the opposite shoulder can help avoid this pain, but try not to sleep on your back.

    If the pain persists, you can always trying wrapping your arm or wearing a sling to assist in preventing movement during sleep. Sleeping with a pillow under your knees can help alleviate any associated back pain.

    2. Stick to a sleep schedule 

    Along with fixing your position while sleeping, always make sure to try to stick to a sleeping schedule. Good sleep hygiene can make all the difference in your sleeping patterns. Having a consistent bedtime ritual that helps wind you down at the end of the day can do wonders in terms of reducing stress and tension, and improving sleep length and quality.

    Try something relaxing before bed like a shower and make sure you fall asleep in a dark room with no electronics. Medication can also help you sleep, but be cautious of how often you use them. Constantly requiring sleep aids can be a major sign of a problem and the more you use over-the-counter drugs, the more you will need to be effective. In addition, if you’re using other medications, they may react poorly with the sleep aids.

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    3. Perform stretches for shoulder pain at night 

    Exercising a few hours before bed can also be useful as it will increase blood flow throughout the whole body. This can alleviate pain, but also relax you enough to ease sleeping troubles. Try something low impact like a brisk walk or a bike ride, and then allow your body to cool down again before going to bed.

    Further, certain shoulder stretches can help you reduce the tension and stress that has built up during the day. Not only are shoulder stretches an easy option, but they take only a few minutes at night. Stretching has huge health benefits like increasing flexibility, range of motion, and blood flow. Another big plus is that they are simple to do in your own home and require no special equipment. Before you go to bed, try these seven shoulder stretches to alleviate some tension and reduce your stress.

    Shoulder stretch basics

    If you start to feel pain at any time during a stretch, stop immediately. Stretching should be done to the point of mild strain. If you experience pain, you are going too hard and could injure yourself. This is especially true if the pain is sharp or sudden. It is a good idea for chronic pain sufferers to consult a pain doctor before starting too strenuous of a stretching routine as overexertion could exacerbate certain conditions.

    For best results, always warm your muscles up a little before stretching. For the following stretches, it is best to do each for approximately 30 seconds to one minute for maximum effect. Also, make sure you are steadily breathing in and out in a controlled manner.

    Chin retractions

    This is a quick stretch that is great if you spend way too much time staring at a computer monitor. Slowly extend your neck outward, making sure your keep your chin parallel with the floor. Then, pull it back in to a neutral position that is straight with your spine, slightly tucking the chin in. Repeat.

    Eagle arms

    Sit in a cross-legged position on the ground. Extend your arms in front of you and place your left elbow in the crook of the right arm. Now, bend your elbows back so your hands are touching. Hook one hand over the other so that your palms are facing each other.

    For this stretch, you should keep your palms together, elbows lifted in a 90 degree angle, and your hands in front of your face. Try to keep your shoulders relaxed and down. You should feel a powerful stretch in your shoulder blades as well as the lower part of your neck. After this, change arms by placing your right elbow in the crook of your left arm and repeating.

    Cow-face pose

    Take your right arm and reach over your shoulder aiming to lay your palm in-between your shoulder blades. Then take your left arm and reach up your back (not over the shoulder) also placing the hand between the shoulder blades. Try to interlock your hands and pull slightly.

    If you are having trouble interlocking your hands, you can modify this stretch. Keep a towel or something similar in your top hand, and then grasp it with your bottom hand instead of clasping the hands together. Gently pull with each arm to feel your shoulders start to open up.

    Standing wall stretch

    While standing tall, reach out and place both of your hands on a wall. Walk your feet back until the arms are straight, but don’t let your arms reach too far above your head. Make sure you keep the shoulder blades open and relaxed downwards during the whole stretch. Also, avoid pushing against the wall and don’t allow your shoulders to press up and into your neck.

    Shoulder blade stretch

    Start by spreading your feet, so they are shoulder-width apart. Raise your arms above your head as far as possible and bring your palms together. Now, simply twist your waist by bringing one shoulder forward and simultaneously pulling the opposite shoulder back. Hold this stretch and then switch sides.

    Half-dragon fly

    This stretch begins by lying face down on your stomach. First, place your right hand palm down on the floor like you are starting a pushup. Next, lift your chest slightly and slide your left arm under your chest. Finally, square your chest with the floor and lower on top of your arm. Hold this position and then switch your arms.

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    If you want a deeper stretch in this position, you can move on to the full dragonfly. This is accomplished by lying on your stomach face-down. Crisscross both arms near the collar bones and straighten your arms out as far as possible. Then, allow your body to drape onto your arms.

    Triangle

    Stand your feet hip-width apart. Turn your right foot forward. Turn the left foot so it is perpendicular with the right and raise both arms to shoulder level straight out from the body. Stretch your right arm up and forward, pulling your body up slightly. Then slowly lower the chest forward over the right leg until it is parallel with the ground. Place your hand on your thigh or calf, while avoiding placing it on the knee directly. Try to keep as little weight in your hand as possible, focusing on keeping yourself upright with your core instead. Extend the left arm completely upward towards the ceiling, if it feels comfortable. Finally, turn your head upwards towards the ceiling or down towards the ground for an additional neck stretch.

    4. Try yoga poses for neck pain

    Since shoulder pain at night is often related to neck pain, trying the following yoga poses for neck pain could also help relieve your pain. This video also demonstrates the triangle shoulder stretch.

    5. Talk to a pain doctor about interventional therapies 

    If these natural treatments don’t work to relieve your shoulder pain at night, it may be time to talk to a pain doctor. They can help diagnose the exact cause of your shoulder pain. If your pain isn’t due to an acute injury or fracture, they may suggest interventional treatments for chronic pain.

    These shoulder pain at night treatments include:

    • Physical therapy to increase flexibility and reduce pressure on your joint
    • Chiropractic care to increase mobility and loosen tension
    • A regimen of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
    • Regenerative medicine approaches, including PRP injections 
    • Joint injections that can relieve nerve irritation
    • Surgery, but only for the most severe cases of shoulder pain at night

    If more conservative treatments like chiropractic care or physical therapy haven’t worked, a joint injection provides a minimally-invasive treatment that doesn’t require surgery. You can learn more about this approach in the following video (while not a shoulder injection, it does showcase a knee joint injection using a similar approach).

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    References:

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    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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    Fibromyalgia Stores

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  • The surprising impact of chronic pain, on family and money

    The surprising impact of chronic pain, on family and money

    Chronic pain is the number one cause of disability in the U.S. According to the American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA), one in six people are living with chronic pain. The type of pain can vary with age. People in their 20s and 30s are most likely to suffer from headaches or chronic migraine. Adults in middle age tend to suffer from chronic back pain. The elderly often report pain as a result of arthritis or fracture. The percentage of people in each group does not change as the population ages, making chronic pain a fairly consistent condition. Whatever the demographic, however, the impact of chronic pain is skyrocketing, both on a person’s family life and money.

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    The monetary impact of chronic pain

    Estimates of the cost of pain can vary widely, depending on what is being measured. A 2003 report from The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) put the annual monetary impact of chronic pain at $62.1 billion. A more recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) report in 2011, “Relieving Pain in America,” puts the economic cost of chronic pain at an estimated $560-635 billion annually.

    The JAMA study only counted loss of productivity and did not measure all types of pain, but focused only on headache and some musculoskeletal pain. The IOM estimate looked at all types of economic costs, including loss of productivity, use of medical services, and other financial impacts.

    The impact of chronic pain on your work life

    According to the results of a National Health and Wellness survey, individuals who suffer from osteoarthritis were less likely to be employed and highly likely to be on disability.  The costs of disability payments are spread among taxpayers, and were included in the IOM report as well.

    Missing work due to pain or being perceived as unemployable due to pain can be devastating financially to individual families and society as a whole. This perception can be difficult to change, as chronic pain is generally an “invisible” illness. Common misperceptions of those suffering chronic pain include the following.

    • They are unreliable: Because chronic pain sufferers have good days and bad days, employers may see this as a trait that could impact their productivity. In fact, chronic pain sufferers may be even more reliable. They know their jobs rest on doing what they say they will do, even in the face of pain.
    • They are less productive: Employers may view chronic pain sufferers as less able to perform the functions of their jobs due to pain. In fact, efficiency and effectiveness are the order of the day when chronic pain sufferers are feeling good. They can be even more productive than their coworkers.
    • They use pain as an excuse: Other workers may believe that chronic pain sufferers use their bad days as an excuse to get out of work. In fact, there is zero evidence of this as a characteristic of chronic pain sufferers. Indeed, most are ready and willing to move forward and take on responsibilities and work that gives them purpose and direction. Pain is a medical condition, not an excuse.

    Although there are moments when chronic pain can interfere with an individual’s ability to work, a team-based treatment plan can help. Individuals can develop coping strategies that allow them to continue to be productive. An important part of managing the impact of chronic pain is also understanding more about a person’s condition and utilizing creative scheduling to work around bad days.

    The social and family impact of chronic pain

    The impact of chronic pain is more than dollars and cents. Beyond the dollar signs, the cost of chronic pain is personal and rising. People with chronic pain are more likely to be depressed to the point of attempting suicide, and there are social costs as well. Christopher L. Edwards, phd, assistant professor of psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine, writes:

    “The social costs are incalculable. How do you estimate the value of lost self-worth? How do you estimate the loss of family, friends, and a sense of accomplishment?”

    Approximately 100 million people in the U.S. live with chronic pain, but how many families are living through their pain with them? Caregivers of chronic pain patients experience many special challenges. People suffering from chronic pain may feel isolated and ostracized. Their families may not understand, and tensions in the home may compound the issue. The pressure can be extraordinary, and the impact of chronic pain in the family can be deeply felt. Here are just a few of the tasks and challenges the families of chronic pain patients face.

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    They are responsible for daily care

    For some patients, this may be driving to appointments and coordinating care. For others, this can be caring for the patient physically, including lifting and moving the family member from bed to bathroom to anywhere else they need to go. Other daily tasks can include shopping for and preparing meals that may be specifically tailored to the patient. It could also be reminding the patient to complete any exercises or activities.

    These tasks may be done lovingly, but both patient and caregiver can feel resentful and angry at times. The stress of these simple daily tasks can mount up and be overwhelming.  Often, the caregiver is also responsible for other family members, including children who may not understand why they have to wait or not get undivided attention.

    They are responsible for dealing with insurance and doctors

    Although the patient may be in closest communication with his or her doctor, often the caregiver is responsible for talking to insurance companies and coordinating care across a team of doctors. Advocating for a patient who may be unable to advocate for themselves at times is an important job. There is a tremendous amount of paperwork associated with a chronic illness, and the caregiver needs to be organized and thorough when analyzing benefits statements and bills.

    They are sometimes responsible for income

    There are chronic pain patients who are able to continue to work and contribute to the household income, but in many cases, the caregiver is also the breadwinner. Even if the pain patient is on disability, the family may need additional income, especially if there are children. Of all of the impacts of chronic pain in the family, this is arguably the most stressful one, affecting daily life in the most basic way. If the caregiver needs to drive the patient to appointments, the stress of missing work and income can be exacerbated.

    They are responsible for cheerleading, even when they don’t feel cheery

    Chronic pain patients can feel isolated, trapped in their pain. It can be difficult to see the beauty in life when simple movement is excruciating.

    Families of chronic pain patients experience this in another way in their sense of powerlessness. Those with a chronic pain in the family see a family member in pain and are unable to do anything concrete to relieve the pain. The only thing they can do is to be encouraging, patient, and kind. They can point out the things the family has to be grateful for, and they can look to the future. This can be a thankless task, and some days their family member in pain won’t want to hear any of it. The challenge is to be the cheerleader, even at the hardest times.

    What can you do?

    The impact of chronic pain cannot be overstated. It costs the U.S. billions of dollars each year. It’s also costly in terms of mental and social health, affecting families disproportionately. So how can all aspects of the cost of chronic pain be more effectively managed?

    1. Develop team-based treatment plans

    These can include not only prescription medication, if necessary, but also other holistic treatments. Having a team of healthcare providers that are able to utilize alternative treatments such as diet, meditation, and exercise can make all the difference in the successful management of chronic pain. Working with a pain specialist can help you accurately diagnose your pain and learn more about treatments that could work for you.

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    2. Educate employers on chronic pain and help them utilize telecommute options

    An employee who is having a bad day may not be able to get into the office, but may still be able to work on projects at home. Offering this as an option can help keep patients with chronic pain in stable employment, which will do wonders for their mental and emotional health. Productive employment is one way to keep the costs of chronic pain down. It also keeps patients off disability and in the working world.

    3. Involve families more in your treatment

    Families feel the impact of chronic pain on a daily basis, but they may not understand it completely. This lack of understanding can be isolating for the chronic pain sufferer. It can increase the social impact of pain. A strong, supportive family or group of close friends is crucial to managing the mental and emotional impact of pain. Get them involved by talking to them about what you’re feeling.

    4. Encourage your family to get the self-care they need

    The challenges when there is chronic pain in the family are so extreme that some research suggests that the caregivers risk becoming patients themselves. In a 2014 study, researchers at the Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science found that “high burden” caregivers, those tasked with care giving for 21 or more hours per week, were highly likely to develop chronic pain themselves.

    Researchers interviewed 46 informal (non-professional, generally family members) caregivers and asked them to complete questionnaires. Over four weeks, 94% of caregivers reported pain in at least one part of their body. Amy Darragh, occupational therapist and lead researcher had this to say about the results:

    “Almost all of the caregivers who participated in our study said they experience significant musculoskeletal discomfort related to care giving activities, and that this discomfort can interfere with their ability to provide care, work and participate in life activities.”

    The researchers found that professional caregivers experienced some of the same injuries. But, since they had access to training and tools to help them with patients, they were less likely to be injured or to have that injury become chronic. Many times those with chronic pain in the family have to dive in with little or no training. This includes the proper way to lift a patient or to complete repetitive daily tasks. These physical issues don’t even measure the potential for mental disorders such as depression or anxiety.

    Darragh and her team have received grants to develop protocols for family and non-professional caregivers. Until those protocols are in place and used widely, family caregivers need to be careful and monitor themselves for signs of stress or injury. Taking any classes that may be available through doctors or hospitals can be helpful. You can also stayed informed about groups or respite caregivers who may be able to help when needed.

    5. Work hard to increase awareness of healthy lifestyles and living for all people

    Chronic pain can be a condition that develops as a result of traumatic injury or accident. But, it can also be as a result of any other disorder or condition that could be prevented by making healthy choices. Eating well and exercising regularly is good medicine for everyone. Encouraging people to get active and stay that way can lower the chances of developing chronic pain. Further, by talking more about your chronic pain, it becomes more normal in the world. Keep up-to-date with blogs like this one, or any of our favorite chronic pain bloggers, to learn tips for reducing the impact of chronic pain on your life.

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    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

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  • Can Endorphins Ease Chronic Pain?

    This week at Chronicillness.co Site of the United States and the Pain Channel, we’ve been spending a lot of time focusing on the power of the mind to overcome pain in the midst of battle, along with how to prevent injuries in preparation for the Spartan Race. Today we want to bring some alternative medicine and perhaps unconventional chronic pain relief ideas. Today, it’s all about little chemical messengers called endorphins.

    What are Endorphins?

    Technically speaking, endorphins are peptides that function as neurotransmitters. Endorphins are released from the pituitary gland, also known as the hypophysis, located just at the base of the brain at the bottom of
    the hypothalamus.

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    (The pituitary gland helps to control the following: growth, blood pressure, childbirth, breast milk production, thyroid gland function, metabolism, water regulation in the body, and body temperature).

    Endorphins are produced and released by the pituitary gland during exercise, excitement, pain, laughter, and love. There are estimated to be at least 20 types of endorphins that can get distributed throughout the nervous
    system. Endorphins have the ability to block nerve cells from releasing more pain signals to the brain and can act literally like morphine and codeine.

    Can Endorphins Ease Chronic Pain?

    While there has not been an incredible amount of research conducted on the topic of releasing endorphins into the nervous system, many physicians believe there is a key in endorphins to help patients combat chronic pain, without the risk of opiate addiction. Some researchers believe that chronic pain patients have a lower-than-normal level of endorphins in their spinal fluid, which is why opiate drugs like morphine and codeine are prescribed. However, there is a fine line for physicians to follow when prescribing opiate drugs so that their patients don’t become addicted and/or their patient’s body becomes depleted of their natural opiates.

    According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise can help to manage chronic pain by releasing endorphins. As hard as it may be to imagine exercising when in pain, researchers say the release of endorphins will block pain signals and help to curb anxiety and depression. Both conditions can make chronic pain even harder to deal with.

    The clinic says exercise also helps build strength, improve flexibility, boost energy, enhance mood, protect the heart and blood vessels, improve quality of sleep and help the body maintain a healthy weight.

    There are many ways to release natural endorphins and opiates within our bodies, from exercise and diet to love and laughter. Pain also releases endorphins in spurts, allowing humans and animals great feats of strength and willpower when injured. Stress, unfortunately, in long periods of time has the opposite effect on endorphins, not allowing them to be released as often. This is yet another reason why pain doctors will always implore patients to reduce their stress levels, which can be done through exercise.

    If you want to learn more about conventional and unconventional chronic pain treatments, we have offices in valley wide including Mesa and North Scottsdale.

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  • Recent research that untangles pain

    Pain is an unavoidable fact of life, especially for those with a chronic pain condition. There are dozens of potential treatments for pain already, but researchers are always searching for a deeper understanding of pain to help them devise even better treatments.

    One group of researchers has found a way to cut off the communication of pain in the brain.

    At the University of Calgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute, neuroscientist Gerald Zamponi, phd, and his team have found a way to shut off pain signals. Calcium channels in the brain and peripheral nervous system are part of the line of communications to transmit pain signals. Because of this, calcium channels have been a focus of pain research for quite a while. Zamponi and his team have found that by interfering with a specific enzyme’s communication with the calcium channels, the nerve impulses are interrupted.

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    The researchers in this study are currently looking at more than 100,000 molecules. They’re trying to find one that will successfully stop the communication between the enzyme and the calcium channel, thereby stopping the pain signal. Two viable molecules have already been identified as painkillers in animals.

    If these researchers are able to isolate the correct molecule to create the same effect in humans, it could potentially be turned into a drug. A drug like this could provide a new pain-relief option for people who suffer from all sorts of pain conditions, such as arthritis or neuropathic pain.

    A better understanding of how different populations experience pain can help physicians manage their patients’ pain more effectively.

    A few factors that decrease an individual’s pain tolerance have been identified. These include:

    There are also a few odd factors that influence an individual’s ability to tolerate pain. For example, one study suggested that right-handed people were more tolerant of pain than left-handed people. Some research also suggests that natural redheads may be more sensitive to pain.

    Additionally, gender has an effect on pain sensations. More women report pain than men, and women are generally believed to be more sensitive to pain. It’s been assumed that women may be more tolerant of pain, as well, but a new study challenges this assumption.

    First it’s important to understand the difference between pain sensitivity and pain tolerance. Pain sensitivity refers to the pain threshold, or when an individual begins to perceive stimulation as painful. Pain tolerance is the level of pain an individual is able to tolerate.

    Researchers at Malaga University have found that there is no difference in pain tolerance between men and women. Rather, the characteristics of each individual determine his or her ability to tolerate pain. Resilience was identified as the most important factor in determining pain tolerance. People who are resilient are more likely to accept their pain. Accepting the pain, rather than focusing on it to the exclusion of everything else, allows individuals to focus on increasing their quality of life instead. Resilient people generally feel less pain, stay more active, and have a better overall mood.

    In addition to acceptance of pain and individual resilience, fear of pain was identified as a central variable in people’s pain experiences. People who are afraid of pain experience more anxiety and depression. This ties into the only difference identified between men’s and women’s pain experiences: in men, a fear of pain also related to a greater degree of pain.

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    Another study has identified several specific genes that affect an individual’s pain tolerance.

    A group of researchers looked at 2,721 people who have been diagnosed with chronic pain. Participants rated their pain perception on a scale that was divided into low, moderate, and high pain groups. Researchers then checked the participants for specific genes, COMT, DRD2, DRD1, and OPRK1, and found the following statistics:

    • DRD1 variant was 33% more prevalent among the low pain group than the high pain group
    • COMT variant was 25% more prevalent among the moderate pain group than the high pain group
    • OPRK1 variant was 19% more prevalent among the moderate pain group than the high pain group
    • DRD2 variant was 25% more common among the high pain group than the moderate pain group

    According to Tobore Onojjighofia, MD, MPH, with Proove Biosciences and a member of the American Academy of Neurology, this research could have two major benefits for pain patients. First, finding out if an individual possesses these particular gene variants could provide his or her physician with a way to evaluate his or her perception of pain. This could help physicians manage patients’ pain according to each individual’s pain tolerance. In addition to this, the identification of genes that influence pain perception could play a role in developing new, targeted pain therapies.

    New brain imaging has identified a brain abnormality that may explain the overly sensitive response to stimuli in people with fibromyalgia.

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans provide detailed pictures of the body’s tissues. When an MRI scan is done on the brain, the result is series of images that allow physicians to visualize the anatomy of the brain. A functional MRI (fmri) maps the brain’s function by showing the amount of oxygen (and therefore the amount of oxygenated blood flow) in different areas of the brain. In other words, an MRI is similar to a very detailed snapshot, while an fmri is like a flipbook showing brain activity.

    A study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology used fmri to study brain response to stimuli among people with fibromyalgia. The fmri showed reduced activation of certain areas of the brain, namely the primary and secondary visual and auditory areas. There was also increased activation in the sensory integration regions.

    These brain function abnormalities are responsible for the often painful hypersensitivity experienced by people with fibromyalgia. In fact, the researchers in this study believe these abnormalities might be part of the pathology, or key components, of fibromyalgia. This is significant because research in this area might eventually offer new neuro stimulation targets for fibromyalgia treatment.

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    For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

    References:

    Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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    Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

    Click here to Get the latest Chronic illness Updates

    Fibromyalgia Stores

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  • An Overview of Over-The-Counter Medications

    Top 13 Truths About Over-The-Counter Medications for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Relief

    Fibromyalgia and chronic pain are complex, life-altering conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in specific areas, fibromyalgia often overlaps with other chronic conditions like arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Managing this constellation of symptoms can be challenging and often requires a multifaceted approach. One of the most common starting points for individuals seeking relief is over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

    OTC medications are easily accessible and can offer immediate, though often temporary, symptom relief. While they are not a cure, they play a significant role in pain management strategies for many patients. This article explores the various OTC options available, their mechanisms, limitations, and the critical considerations individuals with fibromyalgia and chronic pain should keep in mind when using these products.

    Understanding the Role of OTC Medications in Chronic Pain Management

    Over-the-counter medications are those you can buy without a prescription. For individuals with fibromyalgia and chronic pain, these medications are often the first line of defense due to their availability and affordability. However, not all OTC drugs are suitable for long-term use or for addressing the wide spectrum of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

    Common symptoms like muscle stiffness, nerve pain, headaches, and inflammation might respond differently to various medications. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the different types of OTC drugs and how they function.

    Analgesics: Basic Pain Relievers for Mild to Moderate Pain

    Analgesics are perhaps the most widely used OTC drugs for fibromyalgia and general chronic pain. The two most common types include:

    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol): This medication reduces pain and fever but does not address inflammation. It’s often chosen for its relatively low risk of gastrointestinal side effects and is commonly used for muscle aches and generalized pain. However, long-term use or high doses can lead to liver damage.
    • Aspirin: While it provides pain relief and reduces inflammation, its frequent use may cause gastrointestinal irritation or bleeding. It may be less ideal for those with sensitive stomachs or bleeding disorders.

    Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): For Pain with Inflammation

    NSAIDs work by reducing inflammation and are particularly helpful when chronic pain is accompanied by swelling or stiffness.

    • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve): These are among the most common OTC NSAIDs. They are effective for joint pain, menstrual cramps, and muscle aches. However, prolonged use can lead to gastrointestinal issues, kidney strain, or increased cardiovascular risks, especially in older adults or those with pre-existing conditions.

    Patients with fibromyalgia may find limited benefit from NSAIDs since fibromyalgia pain is more related to nerve sensitivity than to inflammation. Nonetheless, if there is a coexisting condition such as arthritis, NSAIDs might offer meaningful relief.

    Topical Pain Relievers: Localized Treatment with Fewer Systemic Effects

    Topical pain medications are applied directly to the skin over the affected area. They are less likely to cause internal side effects and are useful for targeting specific areas of discomfort.

    • Menthol-based creams and gels: These create a cooling sensation that temporarily distracts from pain.
    • Capsaicin cream: Derived from chili peppers, capsaicin can dull nerve receptors over time. It may reduce localized nerve pain but can initially cause a burning feeling.
    • Lidocaine patches or creams: Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that numbs the application area and is particularly effective for sharp or shooting nerve pain.

    These products are particularly helpful for patients who experience tender points or muscle knots that do not respond well to oral medications.

    Sleep Aids and Muscle Relaxants: OTC Solutions for Secondary Symptoms

    People with fibromyalgia often struggle with sleep disturbances and muscle tightness, which can worsen pain. OTC options like:

    • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl, found in many sleep aids): While not a pain reliever, this antihistamine can help with sleep and is often used off-label. However, it may cause grogginess and cognitive cloudiness.
    • Magnesium supplements: While not officially a medication, some OTC magnesium products help with muscle relaxation and sleep quality. Research shows that magnesium deficiency may contribute to muscle pain and cramps.

    These options can offer temporary relief but are best used as part of a broader sleep hygiene and relaxation strategy.

    Risks and Limitations of OTC Medications

    While over-the-counter medications are convenient, they are not without risks. Long-term use can lead to dependency, reduced effectiveness, or harmful side effects.

    Key concerns include:

    • Liver damage from prolonged acetaminophen use
    • Stomach ulcers or bleeding due to NSAIDs
    • Kidney strain and blood pressure elevation with frequent NSAID use
    • Interactions with other medications including antidepressants, blood thinners, and supplements

    It’s crucial to follow dosage recommendations and consult with a healthcare provider before starting or continuing any OTC regimen.

    OTC Medications and Central Sensitization

    Fibromyalgia is associated with central sensitization, a condition where the nervous system becomes hyper-responsive to stimuli. Many OTC medications are not designed to address this neurological factor, which is why they may offer only partial relief. That’s also why other treatments such as physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and prescription medications are often combined with OTC products for a more effective approach.

    The Importance of an Individualized Pain Management Plan

    Every individual with fibromyalgia or chronic pain experiences symptoms differently. What works for one person may not work for another. Therefore, OTC medications should be one part of a comprehensive, personalized plan that includes lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, physical activity, and professional care.

    Combining OTC medications with techniques like stretching, massage, or warm baths can enhance pain relief. Keeping a symptom journal to track triggers, effective remedies, and reactions to medications can also support more informed decisions.

    When to Move Beyond OTC Options

    If OTC medications are no longer effective or if symptoms worsen, it may be time to consider prescription treatments. These could include muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or even low-dose opioids under strict medical supervision. In some cases, non-medication strategies such as acupuncture or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can provide relief when drugs fail.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Can OTC pain relievers cure fibromyalgia?
    No. These medications can manage some symptoms but do not address the root causes of fibromyalgia, which involves complex nerve sensitivity.

    2. Is it safe to take NSAIDs every day for chronic pain?
    Long-term daily use should be avoided unless approved by a healthcare provider due to the risk of gastrointestinal, kidney, and heart problems.

    3. Which is better for fibromyalgia: acetaminophen or ibuprofen?
    This depends on the individual. Acetaminophen may be safer for long-term use, while ibuprofen may help more if inflammation is present.

    4. Are topical treatments effective for fibromyalgia pain?
    They can be helpful for localized muscle pain and are a good alternative for those who cannot tolerate oral medications.

    5. What OTC medication helps most with fibromyalgia fatigue?
    There is no direct OTC treatment for fatigue, but improving sleep with antihistamines or supplements may indirectly reduce tiredness.

    6. Should I try magnesium supplements for fibromyalgia?
    Some people benefit from magnesium for muscle relaxation and sleep support, but consult your doctor before adding any supplement to your regimen.

    Conclusion Over-the-counter medications can provide meaningful relief for individuals managing fibromyalgia and chronic pain, but they are rarely a standalone solution. From basic analgesics and NSAIDs to topical creams and sleep aids, each option serves a specific role in symptom control. Understanding their capabilities and limitations is key to using them effectively and safely. Always approach pain management holistically and under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure the best possible outcomes.

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  • How we treat head pain

    How we treat head pain

    Nearly everyone will experience head pain at some point during their lives, but for some people, head pain can become chronic. Chronic migraines and headaches can range in severity from annoying to debilitating. Thankfully, a wide range of treatment options are available for head pain, providing lots of potential options to try when managing head pain.

    Oral medications are usually the first type of pain management attempted to treat head pain.

    The most common reason that people purchase over-the-counter pain medications is head pain. These medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids), like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. These over-the-counter pain medications often fall short when it comes to treating severe or chronic head pain. For instance, nsaids are considered most effective for people who suffer episodic migraines ten or less days per month.

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    For more severe types of head pain, a physician may prescribe an opioid, such as oxycodone. Anticonvulsant drugs are also sometimes effective when treating head pain. Different medications may be indicated depending on the type of head pain being experienced. Explain what type of pain you’re experiencing as clearly as possible to your physician so he or she can prescribe the right medication.

    Oral medications generally provide short-term, as-needed pain relief. Some injected medications can provide short-term pain relief, as well. Sumatriptan in oral form is commonly used to treat migraines, but subcutaneous (injected) sumatriptan is used to provide short-term relief from cluster headaches.

    Other types of injected medications can potentially provide medium-term pain relief, or pain relief that’s not permanent but could last for several weeks to months.

    Nerve block injections can act both as pain management and as a diagnostic tool for head pain.

    These types of injections deliver medications directly to the inflamed nerves causing head pain. The injections will typically include a local anesthetic to block pain. Corticosteroids might also be included to reduce inflammation.

    The exact location of the injection will depend on which nerves are causing the head pain. To relieve chronic migraine or cluster headaches, for example, a nerve block injection will be applied to the trigeminal or occipital nerves.

    The physician will determine which nerve location is most likely to provide relief. If the injection is delivered to the nerve that’s causing the head pain, relief can occur fairly quickly and may last for weeks or months. If the injection is delivered to the incorrect nerve, it will have very little effect. In this way, the injection can be used as a diagnostic tool to identify exactly which nerve or nerves are to blame for the head pain.

    Once the nerves causing the head pain have been identified, other types of treatments can be applied directly to the nerves.

    Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can be used on nerves that have been identified as causing head pain, but it can also be used as a potential treatment for severe, persistent headaches that don’t respond to nerve block injections.

    During RFA, a local anesthetic is applied. Then thin probes are passed through the skin until they reach the targeted nerve or nerve group. The probes emit radiofrequency, or electrothermal impulses, on the nerve or nerve group. This selectively damages the nerve, causing the formation of a lesion, which blocks the pain signals that the nerve conducts.

    Another type of nerve therapy is spinal cord stimulation (SCS). During SCS, flexible, thin devices are implanted next to the spinal cord, close to the nerves causing the head pain. The devices are attached to external leads, which are attached to a control device that allows the patient to operate it. When the devices are activated, a mild electrical impulse is emitted. This impulse interrupts the pain signals being transmitted along the nerves. When head pain occurs, the patient can then control his or her own pain relief.

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    Alternative and complementary therapies, used in conjunction with traditional therapies, may be effective in controlling head pain, too.

    Acupuncture originated in traditional Chinese medicine. It involves the insertion of small, sterile needles into strategic places on the body. This is believed to cause the body to release endorphins, increase blood circulation, and reduce inflammation. Acupuncture can be effective when used in conjunction with other pain management techniques. In fact, for some people, acupuncture is more effective than traditional pain management therapies.

    Chiropractic manipulation might also be an effective treatment for head pain. It involves the application of targeted force to correct the body’s spinal alignment. Massage therapy, which focuses on the release of muscle tension and stress, can potentially reduce head pain as well, especially when the myofascial muscles are massaged.

    Another technique called biofeedback might be particularly effective at teaching patients how to control their own head pain. Readings are taken of brain activity, muscle tension, and galvanic skin response, all of which are impacted by headache triggers like stress. People with head pain can then study these measurements to understand the physiological effects linked to their headaches. This understanding can then be applied toward relaxation techniques to enhance control over the physiological effects linked to head pain.

    Keeping a pain diary can also enhance understanding of the triggers behind head pain, as well as make it easier for a physician to decipher exactly which type of head pain is being experienced and how best to treat it.

    To track head pain with a migraine or headache diary, take note of all the factors surrounding the head pain, such as:

    Although tracking all of this information won’t necessarily reduce head pain, it can shed light on what causes the pain. For instance, it might suddenly become clear that headaches worsen after drinking caffeine, or that migraines occur more frequently after a short night’s sleep. This clearer understanding of what can lead to or worsen head pain can allow you to avoid the things that trigger head pain.

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  • Cerebral Palsy and Multidisciplinary Pain Management

    Cerebral palsy affects an estimated 800,000 people in the U.S, and 3 out of every 1,000 children. It’s a condition that affects every aspect of the human body, from movement, and muscle tone to developmental brain abnormalities, vision and hearing problems, and seizures. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 10,000 babies per year in the U.S. will develop cerebral palsy, and of these babies, many of them will need specialized physical therapy and pain management doctors throughout their lives.

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    What is Cerebral Palsy?

    Cerebral palsy (CP) is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a disorder of movement, muscle tone, or posture that is caused by injury or abnormal development in the immature brain, most often before birth. Cerebral actually refers to the brain while Palsy refers to the physical aspects of the condition. Though most cases of cerebral palsy develop before birth, CP can be the direct result of a traumatic brain injury at any point in life.

    Symptoms of CP occur in the first few years of life, or soon after a traumatic accident, and only worsen as time goes on. Although symptoms vary greatly, there is rarely a misdiagnosis issue with it comes to CP. The Cerebral or neurological symptoms can include difficulty with vision or hearing, seizures, abnormal pain perceptions, dental problems, and intellectual disabilities. On the Palsy, or physical, sides of things, symptoms include variations in muscle tone, ‘spastic’ or ‘rigid’ muscles, tremors, motor skill delays, favoring one side of the body, difficulty swallowing, difficulty with sucking or eating, delayed speech, and difficulty with precise motions.

    While there are many types of cerebral palsy, the most common is Spastic CP which includes rigid, tight, and spastic muscles, muscles only functioning properly on one side of the body, or severe muscle and movement difficulties so that a wheelchair is required. Other forms of cerebral palsy include Athetoid Dyskinetic, Ataxic, Hypotonic, Congenital, or Erb’s CP.

    What Causes Cerebral Palsy?

    The exact cause of many cases of cerebral palsy can be hard to pinpoint. If CP occurs in an adult, it’s easier to see that a traumatic event or accident has occurred to damage the brain, but before birth, it’s hard for physicians to determine the exact cause of CP.

    Cerebral Palsy is not one disease with a single origin, like chicken pox or measles. It is a group of disorders that are related but probably stem from a number of different causes. When physicians diagnose Cerebral Palsy in an individual child, they look at risk factors, the symptoms, the mother’s and child’s medical history, and the onset of the disorder.

    There are, however, common factors that may lead to the type of brain development issues that can cause CP. These predictors include drugs and alcohol, infection such as rubella, toxoplasmosis, syphilis, or chickenpox, exposure to toxins such as methyl mercury, thyroid problems, lack of oxygen or blood supply, or premature birth.

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    Pain Management for Cerebral Palsy

    Pain management doctors who specialize in pediatrics and special needs have supreme knowledge of the intricacies of cerebral palsy. With this condition comes a different reaction to pain, a different understanding of pain, and pain doctors must be able to communicate to parents and children the aspects of treatment.

    Children with CP understand pain differently than children with normal brain function and physical movement.  Many times, this condition brings with is an extremely sensitive pain threshold. Pain is experienced in a different ways and on different levels, so a pediatric pain doctor must use specific pain assessment to determine exactly where the child’s pain is coming from.

    Children with CP often have prolonged experiences of pain that can keep them in and out of the pain doctor’s office throughout their lives. Nerves and tendons become easily injured to the ‘spastic’ and ‘rigid’ nature of muscles, as well as spasms and seizures that can add extreme pressure to different areas of the body. Joints become easily inflamed and patterns of wear and tear appear quite frequently in areas that are repeatedly spasming.

    Spasticity Pain

    When muscles are tight for great lengths of time, or when the brain cannot control those muscles, spasticity occurs. Spasticity is an imbalance of signals from the central nervous system to the muscles, according to WebMD, and the most common symptom of cerebral palsy. Because the muscles are hard at work at all times of the day and night, there is a great deal of pain associated with spasticity.

    Spinal Pain

    Another form of pain that is quite common to those living with CP is chronic back pain. Because of the many spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis) associated with cerebral palsy, upper and lower back pain is seen in many patients. These spinal deformities can make sitting, standing, and walking incredibly uncomfortable and even painful.

    CP Pain Management

    Pain doctors most commonly refer to physical therapists, behavioral therapists, prescription medications, and a neurologist when treating patients with cerebral palsy. By using a multidisciplinary team of medical experts, a pain doctor can treat all aspects of the child’s condition.

    A physician, such as a pediatrician, pediatric neurologist, or pediatric physiatrist, who is trained to help developmentally disabled children. This doctor, who often acts as the leader of the treatment team, integrates the professional advice of all team members into a comprehensive treatment plan, makes sure the plan is implemented properly and follows the child’s progress over a number of years.  – The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

    For more information on cerebral palsy and pain management, contact us today.

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