Fibromyalgia – Real or Fantasy?Ronald H. Bradley, D.O., Ph.D

Health Plus of Michigan

Total Health Care of Michigan, P.C.

Contact Us: Phone: (517) 332-0440

What is Fibromyalgia?

• Complex, chronic condition causing widespread pain and fatigue– Numerous side effects may exist

– Produces pain in the soft tissue located around joints, in skin, and organs throughout the body

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Stiffness

• Increased Headaches

• Facial Pain

• Sleep Distrubances

• Cognitive Disorder

• Gastrointestinal Complaints

• Skin Complaints

• Depression and Anxiety

• Genito-Urinary Problems

• Paresthesia

• Myofascial Trigger Points

• Chest Symptoms

• Dysequilibrium

• Leg Sensations

• Sensory Sensitivity

• Allergic Symptoms

Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria• History of Widespread Pain

– Chronic, widespread pain lasting longer than 3 months

– Widespread pain being experienced in all four quadrants of the body

– Axial skeletal pain must be present (pain located in the cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine, or lower back)

• Pain in 11 of 18 Tender Point Sites on Digital Palpation– (1 & 2) Occiput: bilateral, at the sub-occipital muscle insertions.

– (3 & 4) Low Cervical: bilateral, at the anterior aspects of the inter-transverse spaces at C5-C7.

– (5 & 6) Trapezius: bilateral, at the midpoint of the upper border.

– (7 & 8) Supraspinatus: bilateral, at origins, above the scapula spine near the medial border.

– (9 & 10) Second Rib: bilateral, at the second costochondral junctions, just lateral to the junctions on upper surfaces.

– (11 & 12) Lateral Epicondyle: bilateral, 2 cm distal to the epicondyles.

– (13 & 14) Gluteal: bilateral, in upper outer quadrants of buttocks in anterior fold of muscle.

– (15 & 16) Greater Trochanter: bilateral, posterior to the trochanteric prominence.

– (17 & 18) Knee: bilateral, at the medial fat pad proximal to the joint line.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Causes

• Cause is currently “unknown”

• However, it is linked to trauma…

• Stress Associated Syndrome

• Centrally Mediated– 3 times the level of substance “P”

(brain chemical associated with pain)

– Low levels of serotonin

Prevalence

• 70% in Females

• 30% in Males

• Age Group 20 – 60

• Family history is a positive indicator

Physical Rehabilitation

• Massage

• Myofascial Release

• Trigger Point Therapy

• Craniosacral Therapy

• Osteopathy

• Stretching

• Diet

• Aerobic Exercise

Complimentary Therapies

• Postural

• Occupational

• Relaxation

• Nutrition

• Acupuncture

• Cognitive Restructuring