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Fibromyalgia is a relatively new and commonly misunderstood disorder. The symptoms of fibromyalgia and the tissue and joint pain associated with this chronic condition are important to distinguish from fungal or bacterial infections.
It’s Not a Disease!
Fibromyalgia is not a disease because there is not a clear, identifiable cause. What fibromyalgia does is cause pain or discomfort in the soft tissues and joints of the body creating a variety of signs and symptoms that are hard to trace to one specific cause.
The Physical Signs of Emotional Trauma?
One theory about the cause of fibromyalgia is that it is due to experiencing very stressful or traumatic life events. This hypothesis is basically suggesting that the body physically becomes ill as a result of very difficult mental or emotional conditions. Whether or not another physical illness which is considered “traumatic” to a person is enough to create the disorder or fibromyalgia is unknown. While hard science is obviously challenged to verify this theory, it is worth considering as you evaluate your overall health.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Because fibromyalgia is not considered a disease and the signs and symptoms can vary dramatically from person to person, it is important to consult with your doctor about your specific case. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Restless leg syndrome
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Sleep problems
- Tingling or numbness in fingers and toes
- Sensitivity to temperature
- All over body aches
- Burning sensation
Overall, fibromyalgia consists of pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the body. You may feel like you just had the flu and are “worn out”. Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia can be very difficult to treat because is it a relatively new disorder and people’s symptoms can differ a lot and vary from mild to quite severe.
Pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs are one course of treatment although inflammation is not believed to be the “cause” of fibromyalgia.
Following the theory that emotional or mental trauma can contribute to fibromyalgia, therapy with a licensed social worker or psychologist may be beneficial. Addressing past trauma and emotional challenges is a good idea anyway, and if it helps your symptoms of fibromyalgia, all the better!
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Fibromyalgia 
