What is Fibromyalgia ?

Fibromyalgia ( fi-bro-my-al-ja ) (fibrositis, FMS) is a complex, chronic condition which causes widespread pain and fatigue, as well as a variety of other symptoms. The name fibromyalgia comes from "fibro" meaning fibrous tissue (such as tendons or ligaments), "my" meaning muscles, "algia" meaning pain.

Unlike arthritis, fibromyalgia does not cause pain or swelling in the joints themselves; rather, it produces pain in the soft tissues located around joints, skin, and organs throughout the body

Because fibromyalgia produces few symptoms that are outwardly noticeable, it has been nicknamed "the invisible disability" or the "irritable everything" syndrome.

The pain of fibromyalgia usually consists of diffuse aching or burning described as the "head-to-toe", and it is often accompanied by muscle spasm. Its severity varies from day to day and can change location, becoming more severe in parts of the body that are used the most. (i.e. the neck, shoulders, and feet).

In some people, the pain can be intense enough to interfere greatly with work and ordinary, daily tasks, while in others it causes only mild discomfort.

Likewise, the fatigue of fibromyalgia also varies from person to person, ranging from a mild, tired feeling to the exhaustion of a flu-like illness.

The good news is that fibromyalgia is neither crippling nor fatal.
 
Although the exact prevalence of fibromyalgia in the general population is difficult to ascertain, up to 10 million people have been estimated to have fibromyalgia syndrome (Muhammad Yunus, MD, 1996), and the condition exists around the world.

While most prevalent in adult women, fibromyalgia also occurs in children, the elderly and men.

Symptoms / Syndromes Associated With Fibromyalgia

In addition to pain and fatigue, a number of allied symptoms/syndromes are currently associated with Fibromyalgia. Patients typically experience one or more of the following:

What causes Fibromyalgia?

Although the cause of fibromyalgia syndrome is not currently known, research has already uncovered significant information.

For example, fibromyalgia syndrome often develops after a physical trauma (i.e. accident, injury, or severe illness) that appears to act as a trigger in predisposed individuals.

Such a trauma may affect the central nervous system which in turn produces the condition that we know as fibromyalgia.

Director of Myosymmetries Calgary, Stuart Donaldson, Ph.D.'s research team suggests that in fibromyalgia patients the most powerful electrical activity in the brain is inappropriately in the slowest brain waves (i.e. EEG slowing). Therefore, there is a reason to believe that significant physiological changes may occur in the body following a severe trauma, particularly when the neck or upper body is involved.

Not all cases of fibromyalgia can be considered post-traumatic fibromyalgia, however, since many times no apparent "trigger" can be identified.

Because of this, researchers already suggest there is a strong familial pattern in the occurrence of fibromyalgia syndrome, with fibromyalgia often seeming to follow the female side of the family.

Early research into cause of fibromyalgia syndrome studied possible defects or dysfunction in the muscles of fibromyalgia patients. However, hypotheses in this area have been largely disproved as evidence continues to mount that fibromyalgia is caused by central mechanisms in the brain (i.e. central nervous system) and not by malfunctions in muscles in peripheral areas of the body.

How does Myosymmetries treat Fibromyalgia?

At Myosymmetries, we use a multi-disciplinary approach using treatment protocols designed by Stuart Donaldson, Ph.D. Each patients' treatment program is specifically designed depending on the patients complexity and duration of symptoms.

Patients are first assessed using a variety of diagnostic tests to determine the course of treatment. Stuart Donaldson, Ph.D. consults with the patient about their particular treatment program. A patient may have some or all of the following treatments:

Myosymmetries does not use any invasive techniques, such as needles. Treatment does not involve piercing of one's skin.

Myosymmetries does not treat any patient with medication. Patients must be motivated to stay away from pain killers, anti-depressants, etc.