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Fibromyalgia services offered in Kingwood, Kingwood, TX
Many things about fibromyalgia are a mystery, but what’s clear is that it causes long-term pain that affects most of your body. Contact board-certified pain management specialists Chandler Mann, MD, and Leonard Trahan, MD, at the North Houston Pain Center in Kingwood, Texas, if you’re frustrated by a lack of fibromyalgia treatments. They use their considerable expertise and experience to provide treatments that reduce your pain and improve your quality of life. Call the North Houston Pain Center today or book an appointment online to get better fibromyalgia treatment.
Fibromyalgia Q & A
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia affects up to 12 million people across the United States each year. It causes pain throughout the body, mainly in the musculoskeletal system — the muscles, connective tissues, nerves, and bones.
Fibromyalgia pain is usually constant but can range from a dull ache or widespread tenderness to throbbing agony. Triggers like stress, vigorous activity, and weather changes can worsen fibromyalgia pain.
The cause or causes of fibromyalgia aren’t known. People with the condition are susceptible to pain signals, but why isn’t clear. Some research shows links to inflammatory and immune system disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. Your genes probably play a part too, because fibromyalgia often affects members of the same family.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Besides pain, fibromyalgia causes other symptoms, including:
- Memory and concentration problems (fibro fog)
- Extreme tiredness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
- Depression
People with fibromyalgia have greater chances of getting IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.
No lab or imaging test is available to diagnose fibromyalgia. Your North Houston Pain Center doctor first needs to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
During your physical exam, they’ll press on specific places on your body to see if they’re excessively painful. These 18 pressure points don’t cause pain in someone who doesn’t have fibromyalgia. If you have it, pressing on these spots can cause intense, throbbing pain that can take an hour or more to fade away.
It’s important to note that if you don’t have a problem with the pressure point test, it doesn’t mean you don’t have fibromyalgia. The North Houston Pain Center team might still diagnose fibromyalgia based on your other symptoms.
How is fibromyalgia treated?
Fibromyalgia isn’t curable, but it’s manageable. Your doctor can offer several treatments that help reduce your symptoms, including:
- Pain medication
- Low-dose antidepressants
- Antiseizure medicines
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Psychological counseling
- Steroid injections
- Nerve blocks
Some patients with fibromyalgia find that complementary treatments like acupuncture and biofeedback help reduce their symptoms.
You can help yourself in many ways by changing your daily habits that improve your overall health. Regular physical activity is essential to keep you mobile. Gentle exercises like yoga and tai chi are best for fibromyalgia because they’re less likely to cause a flare-up.
Stress causes you to tense your muscles, the last thing you want with fibromyalgia. Learning stress reduction and pain management techniques can significantly reduce your pain.
Call the North Houston Pain Center today or book an appointment online to discover how their team can help you live a full, rewarding life with fibromyalgia.