Living with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (also known as FMS) is characterized by a range of different painful symptoms that can change from day to day. Typically, it involves chronic muscle and joint pain, varying in duration and intensity. The pain tends to spread or concentrate in smaller parts of the body. This condition is often accompanied by a sense of fatigue. The fatigue occurs even with minimal exertion and can significantly limit daily physical performance, along with the other pains.

The chronic pain can be just as damaging as the fear of the pain itself. People with FMS sometimes experience a sense of hopelessness, making it difficult to manage everyday life. Night sleep is interrupted by pain attacks, and sometimes memory and concentration abilities are also affected. Often, people with fibromyalgia describe having “pain everywhere,” which is why fibromyalgia is often referred to as a “generalized pain disorder” that can be felt both in muscles and joints.

FMS shares symptoms with several similar conditions – some of which are psychological in nature – so it is important to be examined by a doctor. Although the symptoms of fibromyalgia are well documented, no one knows exactly what causes it or how to generally help someone suffering from FMS. Patients with fibromyalgia have reduced amounts of serotonin and dopamine – both important substances responsible for mood and appetite.

The symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and include:

• Headaches
• Intestinal and bladder irritation
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Sensation of tingling or pricking in the skin
• Numbness
• Restlessness in the legs
• Increased muscle pain with physical activity

Treatment of FMS

Fibromyalgia can never be fully cured, but you can – in consultation with your doctor – learn to manage the pain. The goal is to gain certainty about the circumstances and contributing factors of the pain. The most common approach involves physical, emotional, and social circumstances of the pain condition and is referred to as a bio-psycho-social approach.

In addition to this form of treatment, sauna therapy – especially Waon sauna therapy (dry heat therapy of the body with long-wave infrared light at 60 degrees) – can contribute to a significant reduction in sudden pain. This warms your body and helps you relax while simultaneously increasing blood flow to areas where pain and sensitivity occur. The process of pain treatment will likely involve a coordinated rehabilitation effort with specialists working across disciplines.

Disclaimer

All content and information on nordic-therm.com are for informational purposes only and in no way replace medical advice or other forms of professional medical consultation and/or treatment.