The importance of exercise
If symptoms with no identifiable cause are present — such as pain, psychological problems, sleep issues, constant fatigue, intestinal problems, or painful menstrual periods — one should consider that the person may be experiencing fibromyalgia syndrome.
Fibromyalgia syndrome was first described in 1906 under the name fibrositis. Although it is a common condition, it is seen in about 2% of the population.
Fibromyalgia syndrome, while most often seen in middle-aged women, can appear in both men and women at any age. The relationship between fibromyalgia and other chronic rheumatic diseases is important for rheumatologists.
Aside from the presence of tender points on the body, the physical examination is usually normal. Laboratory tests are generally not useful except for differential diagnosis.
Fibromyalgia is also a disease with a psychological dimension. It is seen much more frequently in patients with depression, those with sleep disorders, and people with high anxiety levels. Fibromyalgia syndrome (soft tissue rheumatism), generally more common in women aged 25-50, can also be seen in men and in childhood. The disease is particularly common in people with above-average education and economic status.
A perfectionist and workaholic personality type can also be considered among the causes contributing to fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is frequently seen in people working in professions such as journalism, architecture, and finance. It is also seen in people who dislike their jobs. Since unhappiness is a factor that increases pain, those who are not satisfied with their work carry as much risk of developing fibromyalgia as those in the most stressful professions.
Interestingly, fibromyalgia is not a widely recognized disease among the public or among physicians who are not familiar with the subject. Patients presenting with this clinical picture often end up visiting many physicians, since a correct diagnosis frequently cannot be made.
DIAGNOSTIC METHODS
For diagnosis, it is important to assess the patient's complaints, the type of pain, accompanying findings, and to perform a physical examination. On physical examination, widespread tenderness throughout the body, cord-like hardness and taut bands in the muscles, and the presence of numerous tender points and trigger points are findings suggestive of fibromyalgia syndrome.
The number of tender points is important for diagnosis. There is no specific laboratory test that confirms the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. If there is no accompanying rheumatic disease, rheumatologic tests will also come back negative. Laboratory tests are mainly important for ruling out similar diseases.
Unfortunately, diagnosing fibromyalgia in a patient often takes a long time. Fibromyalgia patients undergo many medical examinations and tests before being diagnosed. This causes a loss of time and, consequently, a delay in the patient's treatment.
THE FIRST STEP IS FIGHTING THE PAIN
There is no known definitive method for preventing fibromyalgia. However, the most effective preventive measures — which also help protect against nearly every disease — are a healthy diet, regular exercise, drinking enough water, staying away from animal-based foods that acidify the body, and getting sufficient rest. Exercise in particular is very important.
Relaxation exercises, stretching exercises, a cardiovascular conditioning program, walking, swimming, and cycling are very beneficial. Physical therapy applications consisting of exercise, heat, and electrical currents are effective in reducing pain. Massage, myofascial release, and pressure techniques are also effective in reducing muscle tension.
If these applications do not provide benefit, one should consult a physician. This is because today it is possible to treat the full range of fibromyalgia complaints by combining neural therapy, magnetic field therapy, acupuncture, and ozone therapy.
As with any disease, informing and educating the patient about their condition is very important in treatment. Sometimes patients' complaints may be assessed as having a psychological origin.
Patients should be told that their disease is "real," but that it is not a disfiguring or disabling condition. Treatment can take a long time and may require regular follow-up until there is significant improvement in symptoms.
Painkillers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and sleep-regulating medications are used in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Especially during periods when the disease worsens, it is important to correct posture, reduce repetitive stress factors (such as typing on a typewriter or keyboard, or prolonged sitting/standing), and assess and regulate sleep.
Exercise is the most important preventive and treatment method for fibromyalgia. In particular, relaxation exercises, stretching exercises, a cardiovascular conditioning program, walking, swimming, and cycling are beneficial.
Exercise and physical therapy applications consisting of deep and superficial heat and electrical currents are very effective in reducing pain and muscle tension. Massage, myofascial release, and manual therapy techniques provide positive effects in reducing muscle tension.
Patients are advised to set aside more time for themselves, take frequent breaks during periods of intense work, and perform their daily tasks in as simple and low-effort a way as possible.
Neural therapy, also used in the treatment of fibromyalgia, is a regulation treatment. A stimulus is sent, using local anesthetics, to specific points or areas on the body, and the body responds to this stimulus at the segmental level or above. This response guides us both in making a diagnosis and in providing treatment. Trigger point injections performed by a specialist neural therapy physician are quite effective in fibromyalgia. Trigger point injections alone, however, are not sufficient. In addition to trigger point injections, correcting the functional disorders identified in the problematic area and performing muscle stretching exercises are very important.