Fibromyalgia is a chronic, widespread pain syndrome. It often goes undiagnosed for years and can affect you physically and emotionally. Fibromyalgia involves the muscles, ligaments, and tendons surrounding the joints. The pain can be a mild to severe burning, soreness, stiffness, or gnawing, and can start in one area and spread all over the body.
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it may be linked to sleep disturbance, stress, or problems with the immune or endocrine systems. Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia vary, but can include:
- Moderate to severe fatigue
- Tender spots of pain in the muscles
- Decreased muscle endurance
- Sleep problems
- Depressed mood or anxiety
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Diarrhea alternated with constipation
- Urinary urgency
Tests
Electrodiagnostics
Electroneurophysiological testing is done with current and electrodes to determine nerve and muscle function/dysfunction and damage. Tests include electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS).
Treatments
Neurostimulation
Neurostimulation, also called electrical stimulation, uses low-voltage electricity to stop the nerve impulses that cause pain. Examples include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), applied on the skin over nerve endings, and spinal cord stimulation (SCS), which is inserted under the skin.
Interventional spine procedures
These procedures use image-guided technology to deliver steroids and medications right to the pain source. Selective epidural injections, cervical facet injections, cervical selective nerve blocks, and discograms reduce pain and inflammation in the neck. This treatment is usually prescribed with physical therapy or exercise.
Ultrasound-guided injections
Ultrasound imaging allows doctors to view nerves, bones, tendons, and muscles. Combining this technology with injection therapy means we can deliver medicines to the exact trigger point to relieve pain and inflammation. Steroids and platelet-rich plasma injections are commonly used to treat neuromusculoskeletal pain.
Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat from radio waves to damage nerve tissues, disrupting their ability to send pain signals. This is performed on the facet joints in the spine.
Why Choose UHealth?
Multispecialty care with teams built around your condition. Our rehabilitation team works closely with rheumatologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and other specialists to customize your treatment plan. You get a faster diagnosis, personalized treatment plans to reduce pain and better care when we’re all working together for you.
Leading-edge, non-surgical and minimally invasive therapies for chronic pain. You have access to the latest approaches to managing pain, including neurostimulation and neuromusculoskeletal ultrasound-guided injections — offered in a variety of inpatient (hospital stay) and outpatient (clinic) rehabilitation locations near you.
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