Fibromyalgia Definition

Fibromyalgia is a myofascial pain syndrome that causes generalized muscle pain, feelings of fatigue, and specific tender points that are sensitive to palpation. Other symptoms can include difficulty sleeping, stiff joints, headaches, tingling in the extremities, and depression.

Treatment for fibromyalgia is often conservative, consisting of a combination of light massage or lidocaine injections to help pain in tender points, non-narcotic pain medications, light aerobic exercise, and anti-depressants to help both with mood and to improve sleep habits.

Causes of the condition are unknown, but researchers believe there is a largely biochemical component involved. Fibromyalgia most commonly affects middle-age women who are otherwise healthy.