- July 9, 2019
Treating Fibromyalgia Pain
First described in 1990, fibromyalgia has proven to be one of the modern era’s most perplexing medical mysteries. Characterized by widespread and chronic pain all over the body, fibromyalgia can also cause symptoms like difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and stiffness. It’s also associated with anxiety, depression, cognitive dysfunction, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome, all of which can make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.
While the medical community can’t seem to agree on what causes fibromyalgia, some believe it involves an issue with the way the brain and body process pain signals, which may be related to genetics or environmental factors. Although fibromyalgia is currently not well-understood, a number of treatments exist to help patients deal with the pain and other symptoms it causes.
Here are some of the treatments we offer at ReclaimAbility Pain Services in South New Jersey that may be able to help mitigate fibromyalgia symptoms so you can get back to living your life.
Trigger Point Injections
The pain and muscle stiffness associated with fibromyalgia can start a feedback loop that worsens symptoms. If specific muscle groups are involved, trigger point injections may be utilized along with an in-home regimen of stretching and exercise that can loosen up tight muscles, lessening pain. The injections are generally performed in an office setting by a doctor who will insert a small needle into the affected muscle group, helping it to release any stored tension. Next, the doctor will discuss some stretches and exercises you can do at home to keep yourself pain free. Relief can last anywhere from a few days to a month or more, and for people who deal with widespread pain every day, it can be exactly what they need.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP)
Because fibromyalgia is associated with stress and anxiety, symptoms which can in turn make fibromyalgia pain worse, it’s important to address those problems during treatment. Not only do stress and anxiety create greater resting tension in your muscles, but they also reduce your body’s ability to heal after injuries, and they can change the way your central nervous system processes pain signals. The goal of CBT-CP is to discuss the difficulties of living with chronic pain with your doctor as a way to reduce your stress level. During your conversations, your doctor will pay special attention to issues like sources of chronic stress, how living with chronic pain has influenced your self-image, and the ways chronic pain has disrupted your life. Discussing these issues in an honest and open setting can do a great deal to alleviate your anxiety about them, allowing you to get the most benefit from your other treatments.
It can be extremely difficult living with fibromyalgia. Because it’s not well understood, it can be difficult to treat as well. For those living with fibromyalgia, ReclaimAbility Pain Services urges you not to give up hope. Effective treatments are available, so if you’re tired of dealing with pain, anxiety, and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, get in touch with us today.
We have four convenient locations in South New Jersey. Fill out our online appointment form or visit our contact page to find the clinic closest to you and call to book an appointment today. You don’t have to accept fibromyalgia pain. ReclaimAbility Pain Services can help.
