Fibromyalgia

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia begins with a conversation about your medical history and symptoms, which may include:  

• Severe muscle pain in multiple areas 
• Widespread body aches 
• Persistent fatigue  
• Mood swings 
• Anxiety  
• Memory issues 
• Brain fog, sometimes called “fibro fog” 
• Inability to focus or concentrate 
• Sleep problems 
• Headaches 
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders  
• Abdominal cramping, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Your specialist will conduct a physical exam and may order blood tests to help confirm or eliminate underlying conditions that may be causing your symptoms.  

Evidence suggests that fibromyalgia may affect the way the brain processes pain signals. Symptoms can appear after physical trauma, surgery, illness or a period of intense emotional stress. In some cases, symptoms appear gradually over time, without an identifiable trigger.  

Currently, there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, and treatments to relieve symptoms must be personalized. A combination of self-care and medication can work together to improve symptoms and overall health.  

Our collaborative team will design a treatment plan to help reduce inflammation and minimize your symptoms. Your plan may include a combination of the following:  

• Changes to your eating habits 
• Medications, such as pain relievers, antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs 
• Meditation  
• Psychotherapy  
• Regular exercise, such as walking and yoga