INTEGRATIVE PAIN CENTRE
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Fibromyalgia (1)
What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a common rheumatological syndrome presenting with chronic (long-term),
diffuse musculoskeletal pain and tenderness. There is usually associated sleep
disturbance, fatigue and /or tiredness. (2)
How common is the problem? Fibromyalgia affects between 2% to
10 % of the general population, in all ages, ethnic groups and cultures. But this condition is up to seven
times more common among females than males. (3)
What is it impact on a patient’s quality of life? Fibromyalgia’s impact on an
individual’s quality of life is significant. Individual with fibromyalgia may be
forced by the condition to accept a shorter working week or less physically
demanding job. The limitation is
comparable with a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. (4)
What are the clinical features of fibromyalgia patients? Fibromyalgia patients have abnormal
sensitivity to painful stimulus.
This hypersensitivity to painful stimulation is seen not only at
“painful areas” but also at “normal” areas in the body. Onset can be gradual or after a
traumatic event. Patient usually
described a continuous, deep, throbbing or aching pain in the muscles. Patient commonly too complained of
associated insomnia and/ or daytime tiredness or fatigue. It is also common for patients to
have problems of anxiety, depression, headache, light-headedness,
constipation, diarrhea, urgency, dysuria, abdominal or pelvic pain and pain during
menstruation. (5)
What is the cause of fibromyalgia? The cause of fibromyalgia is not
completely understood. There
appeared to be disturbances in the nerve transmission, the brain processing
of information and/ or the central hormones released. There is also a suggestion that there maybe a genetic basis to the pain, although it is more
likely that multiple genes are involved. (6)
How is fibromyalgia treated? Management of fibromyalgia syndrome
requires a multi-modal approach.
It includes educating the patients, families and friends, and
encouraging patients to take an active role in self-care. Patient’s acceptance of his/ her
condition is important and together with physical therapies, exercise
programs, psychological and psychiatric support and sparing use of
medications, we can work together towards recovery. At times, acupuncture can be applied
and integrated into the treatment regime of patient. (7)
What is the implication of having fibromyalgia? It is important to know that
fibromyalgia does not threaten a patient’s life. Unfortunately, this condition can
cause severe disability and thus substantially compromise the quality of
life. Although complete resolution of
symptom is difficult to achieve, significant improvement in symptom can be
obtained with adequate treatment. For more information, please feel
free to contact us at (65) 6733 4344 or email us at integrativepaincentre@gmail.com |
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