Fibromyalgia Specialist

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a long-term pain condition that causes widespread muscle and joint pain and fatigue. The pain may come and go, but fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects the quality of life. 

Though there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, there are many effective treatments that can help you manage your pain. 

The team at Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center specializes in providing active care for chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia. 

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Widespread pain all over the body is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia. In addition to pain, people with fibromyalgia also experience fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and cognitive dysfunction such as problems with concentration and paying attention to mental tasks.

People with fibromyalgia may also have co-occurring conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, anxiety, and depression.

The symptoms of fibromyalgia may come and go, and you may notice certain conditions or situations trigger symptoms, such as:

• Change in routine
• Poor night of sleep
• Overexercising
• Emotional stress
• Poor diet choices
• Weather changes

Stress is one of the primary triggers of a fibromyalgia flare-up. Avoiding stress can be difficult, but the team at Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center can help you design a life plan that improves how you manage stress. 

How can physical therapy help fibromyalgia?

Physical activity and strength training are some of the primary treatments for fibromyalgia. Exercise reduces stress and releases chemicals that ease pain and boost mood. 

The Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center team specializes in creating exercise programs for fibromyalgia, customizing care that best meets your fitness and health needs. 

Before making any treatment recommendations, your physical therapist conducts a comprehensive initial assessment, reviewing your medical history and evaluating your body’s muscle strength and balance, flexibility, and joint mobility.

Your physical therapist uses the information they gather from your assessment to design your functional goals and treatment plan, which may include:

• Personalized exercise and strength training program
• Manual stretching
• Joint mobilization
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)
• Core training
• Manual traction
• Myofascial release
• Dry needling
• Pressure point release
• Electrical stimulation
• Ultrasound therapy

In addition to your treatment plan, the team also talks to you about your diagnosis and how movement eases your pain.

At the Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Center, the team wants nothing more than to help you get your life back without pain. To get help for fibromyalgia, call the office closest to you or schedule an appointment online today.