What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia (FM) was recognized as a true syndrome (now upgraded to a disease) by the American College of Rheumatology in 1990. FM is thought to exist in 2% to 3% of the population. It occurs in both men and women and women are affected 6 to 9 times more often than men. In women, FM occurs most commonly between the ages of 30 to 60. FM can also affect teenagers, children, and the elderly. FM has no known cause. Current research into how the nervous system deals with pain has shown that various abnormalities are present in people who have FM.
Other studies have indicated that genetic (inherited) factors may predispose some individuals to develop FM. These genetic factors can affect how the body responds to pain, physical or emotional trauma, and illnesses (such as viral infections).
This work is at the research stage and not yet available for doctors to help diagnose patients with FM in their offices. But this knowledge can be helpful in the management of FM.
DR Ric Arseneau world-renowned specialist on Fibromyalgia
Sara Shares her journey living with Fibro and Myofascial pain.
Debra Morga shares her skill in living with Fibromyalgia
Leisa is a passionate and fierce advocator for invisible chronic illness and volunteers with the B.C. Lupus Society and Arthritis Research Canada to raise awareness for these complicated and debilitating diseases such as Systemic Lupus, Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis.
Coming to terms with pain, by Sam Hawksmoor.
Fiber-Optic Fascia
You have inside you a cloak of gossamer connective tissue that surrounds and supports everything and functions like fiber optics. This tissue is called fascia.
Fascia is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider’s web or a sweater. Fascia is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption. In this way, you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.
Trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures create Myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures that do not show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.) A high percentage of people suffering from pain and/or lack of motion may be having fascial problems, but are not diagnosed.
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