Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome of widespread pain, aching and stiffness of muscles, often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances and multiple tender points.

What causes fibromyalgia is not well understood; however, most patients describe a physical trauma, such as a whiplash or neck injury from a car accident, as the beginning of their fibromyalgia pain.

Fibromyalgia — Explained

fibrofibrous tissue (e.g. ligaments, tendons, fascia)
myo
muscle tissue
algiapain

Symptoms

FM is a chronic condition characterized by:

Fatigue

Widespread musculoskeletal pain above and below the waist

Otherwise, symptoms can vary from person to person. There is no definitive biological marker or test.

In addition to pain and fatigue, other symptoms include:

Stiffness

Facial / TMJ pain

Anxiety or Panic Disorders

Irritable Bladder

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Numbness and tingling

Hypersensitivity to the environment

Chest pain

Difficulty concentrating (“fibro fog or brain fog”)

Headaches

Weight change

Dizziness and Balance Problems

Memory Lapses

For more information, consult the Canadian Consensus Documents.

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