Fibromyalgia Doctors In Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia

Understanding fibromyalgia and its related disorders

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas. This condition often leads to sleep, memory, and mood issues. It's believed that Fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting how your brain processes pain signals.

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it's estimated that 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from this condition. Worldwide, the NIH estimates that Fibromyalgia affects 2-8% of the population. While Fibromyalgia can affect anyone, it's more prevalent in women. In fact, up to 90% of those diagnosed are female. Although it's most commonly diagnosed during middle age, Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages, including children and the elderly.

Parts of the Body Affected by Fibromyalgia

People with Fibromyalgia often experience pain in specific areas known as tender points or trigger points, typically located in the soft tissue on the back of the neck, shoulders, chest, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knees.

Looking for Doctors that treat Fibromyalgia?

Pain management is crucial for people suffering from Fibromyalgia. At Pain and Spine Specialists, we understand the complexities of chronic pain conditions like Fibromyalgia and offer cutting-edge treatment options tailored to your specific needs. Don't let chronic pain rule your life. Contact us today to take the first step toward effective pain management.

What Is The Root Cause of Fibromyalgia

While the root cause of Fibromyalgia is still unknown, it's often thought to be related to various factors working together. These may include:

1. Genetics: Genetics can potentially be a leading factor behind this, as it has been shown that Fibromyalgia runs in families, and some genetic mutations make it more likely for Fibromyalgia to occur.
2. Infections: Some illnesses can trigger or aggravate Fibromyalgia.
3. Physical or emotional trauma: Fibromyalgia can be triggered by physical injuries or extreme stressors that cause high levels of emotional distress. Post-traumatic stress disorder has been linked to Fibromyalgia.
4. Central nervous system (CNS) issues: When someone has this condition, it is thought that the brain and spinal cord change from continuous nerve stimulation, which can lead to higher levels of chemicals that send pain signals to the brain.
5. Overly Sensitive Pain Receptors: It is also believed that pain receptors start to form a memory of pain and become overly sensitive, so they overreact to pain and even interpret non-pain signals as pain.

Risk Factors for Fibromyalgia

• Women are twice as likely to develop Fibromyalgia than men.
• Age can be a contributing factor in those who have Fibromyalgia. While anyone of any age can develop this condition, it is most commonly diagnosed in middle age. Your chances of getting it also go up as you get older.
• Those who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis or other autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus, are also susceptible.
• Fibromyalgia can be genetic, and a person has a higher chance of getting it if a parent or sibling also has it.
• People with injuries, especially repetitive injuries, stress joints, and the body.
• Illnesses like viral infections can increase the risk of developing Fibromyalgia.

Remember, while these factors may increase the risk of Fibromyalgia, they do not guarantee its onset. Each individual is unique, and so is their experience with Fibromyalgia. If you are concerned about the risk factors mentioned above, it is important to find a doctor who treats Fibromyalgia and can accurately diagnose your condition.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

As a neurological health problem, Fibromyalgia is characterized by areas of musculoskeletal pain. Early symptoms of Fibromyalgia may begin after a physical trauma, such as surgery or infection. Sometimes they present after psychological stress as well. It is common for symptoms to appear over time without a single catalyst event gradually.

Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia include:

• Tender pain points on the body. These pain points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, legs, hips, and arms.
• Trouble sleeping
• Morning stiffness
• Headaches
• Painful menstrual periods
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called "fibro fog")
• Digestive issues that can include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Variation in Symptoms Based on Stages of Fibromyalgia

The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms can vary significantly from day to day and person to person. Factors such as time of day, weather changes, stress levels, and physical activity can all affect the intensity of symptoms. There are many stages of Fibromyalgia. Some people may experience mild discomfort, while others may have severe pain that interferes with their daily activities.

It's important to note that Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that lasts a long time — possibly a lifetime. However, it won't damage your joints, muscles, or internal organs. If you're experiencing symptoms that may indicate Fibromyalgia, contact our Pain and Spine Specialists team. We're here to help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

How Fibromyalgia Can Affect Your Life

Since Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness with no known cure, it can wear a person down over time and significantly impact their daily life.

Fibromyalgia can increase the chances of hospitalization throughout a person's life, and people are twice as likely to be hospitalized than those who do not have Fibromyalgia.

Major depression is also highly linked to Fibromyalgia, as living with something like chronic pain can easily lead to depressive symptoms in someone. Those dealing with Fibromyalgia are three times more likely to have major depression.

Lower quality of life can, unfortunately, be a result of having Fibromyalgia. Pain from Fibromyalgia can prevent people from completing daily activities that may have once been routine, and moving around can be more difficult.

Fibromyalgia can often co-occur with other autoimmune disorders, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Multiple Sclerosis, and some of the lesser known symptoms of Fibromyalgia can crossover with some autoimmune disorders. While it is possible to have Fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disorder, at the same time, you may also be misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar. This is why it is crucial to seek an accurate diagnosis to receive the appropriate treatment.

Way To Improve Your Life

While the effects of Fibromyalgia can seriously impact your life, there are some things you can do on your own, in addition to proper fibromyalgia pain management, to improve the quality of life from what it currently may be.

Sleep

Sleeping every night is very important in improving your day-to-day symptoms. Sleep allows your body to heal, and Fibromyalgia often leads to fatigue, so getting the recommended amount of sleep is essential to your health. Create a routine for quality sleep, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, and sleeping in a completely dark room with no TV on.

Physical Activity

Exercise and moving your body throughout the day is an excellent way to help reduce pain related to Fibromyalgia or Arthritis. It is recommended that adults are moderately physically active for at least 150 minutes a week, which can be broken down into 30 minutes of moderate exercise (i.e., walking, swimming, or hiking) five days a week. Stretches, such as doing light yoga poses, having good posture, and relaxation practices (ex., meditation) are also great exercises to add to your routine.

Healthy Lifestyle

A balanced diet and limiting tobacco products and caffeine are all part of a healthy lifestyle, along with finding activities that bring you joy and keep you mentally and physically engaged. Stress management is another factor in reducing the chronic aspects of Fibromyalgia. Stress management can mean saying no, creating boundaries more often, limiting commitments and overexertion, and practicing deep breathing techniques.

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

At Pain and Spine Specialists, we understand that diagnosis of Fibromyalgia can be difficult because symptoms often mimic those of other conditions. Our board-certified physicians are committed to providing you with a thorough examination, which will assist in identifying the root cause of your symptoms. Using advanced diagnostic techniques, our fibromyalgia doctors will discover the reason for your pain and get you on the road to better health.

Here fibromyalgia diagnosis criteria we use:

• Review of Medical History: We begin by thoroughly reviewing your medical history. We listen carefully to understand the nature of your pain, its duration, severity, and any patterns or triggers you've noticed.

• Physical Examination: During the physical examination, our specialists will check for tender points. In Fibromyalgia, certain parts of your body may be extra sensitive to pressure.
• Diagnostic Imaging: While there's no specific imaging test to diagnose Fibromyalgia, we may use X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to rule out other conditions that could be causing your pain.
• Nerve Tests: Although not typically necessary in diagnosing Fibromyalgia, nerve conduction studies or electromyograms may be conducted if there's a suspicion of a neurological disorder.
• Diagnostic Nerve Blocks: While not typically used in diagnosing Fibromyalgia, we may perform diagnostic nerve blocks if we suspect another source of your pain. These include facet joint injections, epidural steroid injections, sacroiliac (SI) joint injections, and medial branch blocks. These procedures can help us pinpoint the source of your pain more accurately.

Our goal is to provide a precise diagnosis so we can create a personalized treatment plan to manage your Fibromyalgia effectively.

Treatments for Fibromyalgia at Pain and Spine Specialists

At Pain and Spine Specialists, we understand that living with Fibromyalgia can be challenging. Our goal is to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life with various treatment options tailored to your needs. Existing and new treatment for Fibromyalgia includes:

Injection Therapies

While not typically used as a first line of treatment for Fibromyalgia, certain types of injection therapies may provide relief for some patients. This can include:

• Trigger Point Injections: These involve injecting medications into specific points to alleviate pain. This can be particularly effective for muscle groups contributing to pain and discomfort.

Conventional Treatment Fibromyalgia

Conventional treatments often involve a combination of medication and physical therapy.

• Medication Management Programs: These programs are designed to manage the use of medications in treating chronic pain. They aim to optimize drug therapy to improve patient outcomes.
• Referrals to Fibromyalgia Physical Therapy: Physical therapy for Fibromyalgia can help improve musculoskeletal strength and flexibility and reduce pain. It's often recommended as part of a comprehensive fibromyalgia treatment plan.

Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia

Many patients find relief from alternative and natural treatment for Fibromyalgia. At Pain and Spine Specialists, we partner with Shakthi and Health and Wellness Center to give access to many of these alternative treatments. Some of these treatments include:

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): TMS is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression and other conditions.
• Infrared Sauna: This type of sauna uses infrared panels to heat the body directly and can help with relaxation, pain relief, and detoxification.
• Acupuncture: This ancient Chinese medicine technique involves inserting thin needles into specific body points to relieve pain and other symptoms.
• Amethyst Biomat: This therapeutic mat uses far infrared rays and negative ions to promote healing and regeneration in the body.
• IV Therapy: Intravenous therapy delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream and can be used to help improve overall wellness.
• Lymphatic Enhancement: This treatment aims to improve lymphatic circulation in the body, which can help boost the immune system and improve overall health.
• Photobiomodulation: Also known as low-level laser therapy, this treatment uses light to enhance the body's natural healing processes.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Treating Fibromyalgia

At Pain and Spine Specialists, we understand that Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that affects everyone differently. That's why we have developed a comprehensive approach to treating Fibromyalgia that is as unique as you are.

We believe effective treatment starts with thoroughly understanding your symptoms, lifestyle, and health history. Our Fibromyalgia pain doctors will extensively evaluate your condition to build a complete picture. We then use this information to create a personalized treatment plan to manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Our treatment strategies may include a combination of conventional therapies like medication management and physical therapy referrals, along with alternative treatments such as acupuncture, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and infrared sauna. We also offer cutting-edge treatments like trigger point injections, which can provide targeted relief for specific muscle groups.

Contact Our Fibromyalgia Treatment Centers 

Starting your journey towards a life with less pain is simple. You can find us conveniently located throughout Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation with one of our doctors who treat fibromyalgia. During this appointment, we will discuss your symptoms, answer any questions you may have, and begin developing your personalized treatment plan.