Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain. It often accompanies symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and joint stiffness1, though not everyone experiences all these symptoms. It affects up to 4% of the population and is more common in women.
Physiotherapy for Fibromyalgia:
While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, physiotherapy treatments have been effective in reducing associated symptoms. Our Physiotherapists specialize in exercise treatments and patient education on pain management. Personalized exercise programs and manual stretches can reduce muscle tension and fatigue and help patients manage their condition effectively.
Modalities for Pain Management:
- Ice and Heat Therapy: ice and heat therapy can help alleviate pain and discomfort.
- Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): TENS units stimulate surrounding tissues to provide pain relief 2.
- Therapeutic Ultrasound: this breaks down scar tissues around supporting muscles and reduces inflammation in joints3.
Other treatments:
- Acupuncture
- Dry needling
- Therapeutic cupping
- Guasha
- Exercise therapy
References
- Siracusa, R., Di Paola, R., Cuzzocrea, S., & Impellizzeri, D. (2021). Fibromyalgia: Pathogenesis, Mechanisms, Diagnosis and Treatment Options Update. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(8), 3891-. https://doi.org/10.3390/
ijms22083891 - Jamison, R. N., Edwards, R. R., Curran, S., Wan, L., Ross, E. L., Gilligan, C. J., & Gozani, S. N. (2021). Effects of Wearable Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Pain Research, 14, 2265–2282. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.
S316371 - Antunes, M. D., & Marques, A. P. (2022). The role of physiotherapy in fibromyalgia: Current and future perspectives. Frontiers in Physiology, 13, 968292–968292. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.
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