Fibromyalgia is a constellation of symptoms regarded as a syndrome rather than a disease. Diagnosis is based on exclusion or ruling out other possible causes. Careful physical examination by a physician will reveal fibrobromyalgia's specific pressure points located at nine bilateral locations. These areas are very sensitive to touch and will hurt or ache when pressure is applied.
Symptoms
The diagnosis of fibromyalgia consists of identifying the presence of pain at discrete areas or 11 pressure points of the body plus a specific set of symptoms. The online site, Fibromyalgia Research Association, cited The American College of Rheumatology criteria for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia must include a minimum of 3 months of generalized pain in all four areas or quadrants of the body plus the presence of the 11 specific pressure points out of a possible 18. A June 2009 study published in the "Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine" proposed a possible new diagnostic tool, the Symptom Intensity Scale, in which a score obtained from a simple patient questionnaire would help physicians in clinical practice evaluate, identify, and make accurate, quantifiable diagnosis for fibromyalgia syndrome. Common symptoms consist of morning stiffness, overwhelming fatigue, headache, insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Common pressure points are located at neck, occipult (back of head), shoulders, lower back, elbow, hip and knee regions.
Head and Neck
Pressure points in the head and neck areas are part of the inclusion criteria for fibromyalgia diagnosis. Pain over the nape of the neck and head are common complaints including stiffness in the spine and headaches. Fibromyalgiasymptoms.org says that approximately 70 percent of fibromyalgia sufferers experience morning stiffness on a daily basis and 50 percent of this group have chronic stiffness and soreness that lasts for many hours. Stiffness, particularly morning stiffness in the neck and spine, can lead to decreased mobility, motion and movement in twisting, positional rotations or bending forward or backward. This decrease in movement plus the pain factor can make activities of daily living difficult for most individuals.
Shoulders and Upper Extremities
The symptoms from pressure points located in the shoulders, arms and upper extremities can result in difficulty performing normal daily activities such as writing, driving, cooking, cleaning and toilet care. An article by the Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois, said that it has been shown that incorporating exercise programs specifically custom-tailored for fibromyalgia patients could significantly improve musculature tone and help to alleviate or reduce the symptoms.
Pelvis and Lower Extremities
Fibromyalgia pressure point pain can present in the hips, pelvis, thighs and lower extremities. These areas of immobility make it difficult to sleep, walk and continue daily life. Treatment of fibromyalgia is a multi-modality approach incorporating traditional, complementary and alternative strategies. The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) cited a recent study published in the May 2009 issue of "Clinical Rheumatology," reported that a multidisciplinary intervention strategy for managing symptoms of fibromyalgia is a feasible and effective option for helping to improve quality of life and reduce the severity of the symptoms for the patients.
