Fibromyalgia Pain Causes

Fibromyalgia pain causes discomfort ranging from a nagging ache in a number of "tender points" to widespread severe pain throughout the body. 

Fibromyalgia sufferers say their pain resembles arthritis, but is felt in the muscles, ligaments and tendons rather than the joints.

It may also be felt in bursa sacs, which surround the joints and lubricate their movement. The pain may occur in relatively small areas, or it may be felt throughout the body

The degree of fibromyalgia pain varies from one sufferer to another. Some people can function at normal levels. For others, the pain is debilitating. It also tends to increase as the day goes on.

Fibromyalgia pain is endured by more than three million men and women in the United States alone.

Causes of Fibromyalgia Pain

The cause of fibromyalgia is probably related to brain function in some way, but as of this writing, there's still not a complete understanding of the physiology behind it. For many years, people believed that those who endured fibromyalgia pain were just imagining it.

But more and more is being discovered about it through research. It seems to be caused by a condition in the brain, and those who have fibromyalgia appear to have a much lower pain threshold than normal. They feel pain more acutely, and the pain they experience also seems to linger for a longer period of time.

There are a number of factors that seem to affect the intensity of fibromyalgia pain. They include

• diet - unhealthy eating habits
• overexertion and fatigue
• hormone levels
• psychological factors like stress and depression
• weather conditions

Fibromyalgia Pain Treatment

Despite ongoing research, there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia. However, it appears that regular, low impact exercise can help reduce discomfort. Exercise also helps increase energy levels and provide for better sleep. Stretching exercise can be beneficial, as can massage.

Some pain sufferers report that applying gentle heat to aching muscles sometimes brings relief.

Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), and naproxen (Aleve) may help too.

Also see myofascial pain syndrome causes.