Fibromyalgia

Conventional medical treatment for fibromyalgia often falls short, leaving many people struggling through their days with bodywide pain and extreme fatigue. But don’t give up hope because help is available from Marcie Merson, MD, at Palm Beach Pain Institute. As a board-certified pain management specialist, Dr. Merson has helped many people overcome fibromyalgia with advanced care. Call the office in Delray Beach, Florida, or request a fibromyalgia consultation online to get customized treatment that can ease your pain and improve your well-being.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting (chronic) health condition that causes pain all over your body. This complex condition:

• Causes widespread pain without inflammation or an underlying disease.
• Affects an estimated 6% of all people
• Is more common in women than men
• Often diagnosed in middle age but can occur anytime, even in childhood
• Often (but not always) runs in families

Medical researchers believe that fibromyalgia arises from an overly sensitized nervous system and changes in the way your brain processes pain. As a result, you feel pain without an apparent cause.

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia’s primary symptom is muscle pain in a large part of your body. The type of pain varies for each person and is sometimes confused with other health problems like arthritis and inflammatory muscle conditions.

In addition to bodywide pain, you may experience:

• Extreme fatigue
• Muscle stiffness
• Joint pain
• Headaches or migraines
• Difficulty sleeping
• Memory loss
• Difficulty concentrating (brain fog)
• Anxiety and depression
• Face or jaw pain
• Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
• Digestive problems (diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, and bloating)

Most patients find that their symptoms flare up in response to stress, anxiety, too much physical activity, hormone fluctuations, changes in their routine, and other triggers.

How does myofascial pain syndrome differ from fibromyalgia?

Myofascial pain syndrome causes acute (short-term) and chronic pain that develops at trigger points in your muscles and fascia, the connective tissues surrounding and supporting muscles and organs.

A trigger point can be problematic when a group of muscles or fascia spasm creates a hard, sensitive knot. This can cause stiffness and pain at the knot and elsewhere in your body.

How is fibromyalgia diagnosed and treated?

Dr. Merson specializes in diagnosing fibromyalgia and creating treatment plans that ease your symptoms and promote wellness. Your treatment may include:

Lifestyle treatments

Dr. Merson may recommend dietary changes to ensure you have the nutrition to optimize energy and alleviate pain. She also recommends changes to improve your quality of sleep.

Physical therapy

Strength training and gentle exercise help relieve and prevent fibromyalgia symptoms.

Behavioral therapy

Many people benefit from stress management and therapy to help them cope with pain.

Medication management

Dr. Merson may prescribe medications to balance brain chemicals, block pain signals, and improve mood or sleep.

You can take control of your health with fibromyalgia treatment at Palm Beach Pain Institute. Call the office or use the online booking feature to request a fibromyalgia consultation today.