Fibromyalgia is a condition that is not well understood. It can be mild and only slightly interfere with normal activities, or it can be quite disabling. It's difficult to diagnose, and some patients go for years before an accurate diagnosis is made. One common characteristic of most fibromyalgia patients is the existence of certain tender points in the body. If you suspect you have fibromyalgia, talk to your doctor about having a thorough examination to see if you have these tender points and you meet the criteria.
Identification
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes a wide variety of symptoms. These include chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sensitivity to light, smells and sounds, memory lapses and sleep disturbances. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it's a condition in which the nervous system doesn't process pain and other sensations normally. There is no exact known cause and no cure.
Significance
Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because there are no laboratory tests that can be done to detect its presence. Conditions such as arthritis or diabetes can be detected by blood tests. There have been no definitive findings in blood work, X-rays or scans. Physicians must primarily rely on the patient's self-reported history of symptoms. In addition, the American College of Rheumatology has designed an exam with specific criteria to identify tender points that are common in many patients with fibromyalgia.
Features
To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you must meet certain criteria. One is that you have had widespread pain throughout the body for at least three consecutive months. In addition, your physician must be able to locate and identify at least 11 of the known eighteen tender points. To identify the tender points, your doctor must follow the criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology. This procedure is done through a physical exam in the doctor's office.
Location
The tender points common to those with fibromyalgia are located throughout the body. They are found in the neck, shoulders, arms, back, buttocks, hips and thighs. In addition, when these specific tender points are pressed, the result is significant pain to even the lightest touch. According to the National Fibromyalgia Research Association, another criteria is that the tender points hurt when pressed but the pain does not radiate. The association says that it often feels similar to pressing on a bruise. This is unlike other conditions where the pain is not so centralized.
Considerations
With fibromyalgia, these tender points don't usually respond well to massage or other forms of body work, unlike with muscle pain where massage may feel good. Massage may even worsen the pain or cause nausea. These tender points--along with the presence of certain symptoms--can help your health care provider diagnose you correctly. In addition, your doctor may run other tests to rule out conditions with similar symptoms.
