Advanced Interventional Pain Management
Interventional Pain Management Specialists located in Hot Springs, AR & Little Rock, AR
Fibromyalgia is a life-altering condition that causes chronic, widespread pain. There’s still much to learn about the causes of fibromyalgia, but experienced physicians Jacob Abraham, MD, and Ryan Stuckey, MD, of Advanced Interventional Pain Management provide the most effective treatments currently available. The practice has offices in Hot Springs, Little Rock, Texarkana, El Dorado, Arkadelphia, and Mena, Arkansas. If you need help with this distressing condition or have fibromyalgia symptoms but no diagnosis, call the office nearest you today for more information or book your appointment online.
Fibromyalgia Q & A
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder whose key feature is constant or persistent pain and tenderness all over your body. The pain is likely to be dull and aching, worsening considerably with pressure or a lack of moderation (doing too much or too little) in your daily activities.
It most often affects the musculoskeletal system, but some people experience pelvic or abdominal pain too. As well as pain, you’re likely to be affected by chronic fatigue, problems sleeping, headaches, and depression.
Another defining feature of fibromyalgia is “fibro fog” — difficulties concentrating and thinking clearly, and trouble remembering.
If you have fibromyalgia, there’s a higher risk of developing other chronic conditions, such as:
- Arthritis
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Endometriosis
- Restless leg syndrome
- Sleep apnea
It’s not clear why fibromyalgia develops in some people. Studies of patients with fibromyalgia suggest several possibilities, including oversensitivity in the nerves, widespread tissue inflammation, and a link to autoimmune dysfunction.
Fibromyalgia often affects several members of the same family, so there could be genetic and environmental links as well.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be a challenge, as there’s no definitive laboratory test for the condition. Fortunately, your provider at Advanced Interventional Pain Management has many years of experience in diagnosing conditions like fibromyalgia.
First, they need to exclude any other potential causes of your symptoms before confirming that you have fibromyalgia. There’s one test that’s a reliable indicator, although if you do have fibromyalgia, the procedure can be somewhat uncomfortable.
To perform the test, your provider presses on specific points on your:
- Neck
- Back
- Chest
- Elbows
- Hips
- Buttocks
- Knees
If you feel intense, persistent pain in most or all of these points when your provider presses on them, it’s likely you have fibromyalgia.
How is fibromyalgia treated?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic, incurable condition, but with help and support from the team at Advanced Interventional Pain Management, you can improve your mobility and reduce pain and other symptoms.
Your provider creates a personalized program for you that includes a selection of treatments, such as:
- Physical therapy
- Prescription pain relief
- Antidepressants
- Anti-seizure medications
- Occupational therapy
- Psychological counseling
- Trigger point injections containing anesthetic and corticosteroids
You can also help yourself by making healthy changes in your life. Eat a nutritious diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, learn how to relax and reduce stress, and engage in regular, moderate exercise — tai chi and yoga are excellent for fibromyalgia.
If you have symptoms of fibromyalgia or already have a diagnosis but haven’t found an effective treatment, call Advanced Interventional Pain Management today to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online.