According to the World Health Organization, Fibromyalgia is defined as a disease or syndrome from the group of rheumatic illnesses. In other words, illnesses related to joints, soft tissues and connective tissues.
Despite its symptoms being similar to those of arthritis, they are not related. Fibromyalgia in itself does not harm any of the body’s tissue, but it is important to maintain regular physical activity to prevent the muscles from weakening.
According to estimates, between 2% – 8% of the population suffer from fibromyalgia, while the number of women who suffer from the syndrome is almost 9 times more than men.
Researchers estimate that approximately 5 million Americans aged 18 or older are affected by Fibromyalgia syndrome.
People with certain rheumatic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (commonly called Lupus) or Ankylosing Spondylitis (spinal arthritis) may be more likely to develop Fibromyalgia
Diagnosis of the disease in most cases is between the ages of 20-50 and around 75% of those who suffer from it are undiagnosed. The disease is defined by chronic muscle pain and it is not known what causes the syndrome or how to treat it.
The main symptoms of Fibromyalgia are
- Pain
- Extreme chronic tiredness
- Sleep disorders
The effects of these symptoms differ from person to person and from day to day.
People who suffer from Fibromyalgia often say that tiredness is the worst part of the disease because they are unable to think clearly or remember things properly.
The pain may feel as if it affects the entire body or it may be particularly intense in a few areas. Patients report that the pain is more severe in extreme weather conditions. Another trait is the extreme sensitivity to pressure in certain points of the body (18 sensitive points).
The less common symptoms of Fibromyalgia include:
- Poor blood flow along with feelings of tingling, numbness or swelling in the arms and legs.
- Irritability or feelings of despair.
- Urgent need to go to the bathroom, especially at night.
- Diarrhea or constipation and stomachaches (sometimes diagnosed separately as IBS).
Methods of Treatment:
Because there is no exact diagnosis regarding the causes of outbreak of the syndrome, the main goal of treatment is to maintain ability to function, improve quality of life and reduce the symptoms. Common treatments include:
- Hydrotherapy.
- Psycho-therapeutic treatments – hypnosis, NLP, CBT and methods based on meditation that help patients cope better with the pain and symptoms that accompany the illness.
- Acupuncture.
- Medications.
Treatment with low-level laser – The Laser for treating Fibromyalgia pain.
Living in the shadow of fibromyalgia pain is not simple. The pain attacks the body in waves, sleep is disturbed, and there is no effective treatment today that cures the disease.
The laser may relieve fibr`omyalgia pain, doing so without any known side effects, in the comfort of your home. It is worthwhile to be aided by in times of pain, and thus may improve the quality of life.
The low-level laser works on the skin surface, and at the same time penetrates to the deep tissue without any heating effect and without harming the skin. The soft laser technology has, up until now, only been available using large and immobile machines in clinics, hospitals and pain treatment centers. For years, this technology has served the best experts in the world and it is a proven, acknowledged and effective mode of treatment.