Disease:

Fibromyalgia Etiology:

Populations,
Prevalence,
Incidence

Genetics
Infection
Physical/ Emotional
Trauma

Group G: Foy, Mets, Booth, Jones

Pathophysiology

About 2% in the U.S. (5 million)

Higher in women than men (7:1)
Older white women

Risk Factors

Increasing Age
Being a female
Rheumatic disease
Psychological distress for long- term
patients

Transmission

No transmission has been found

Genetics

Strong genetic component

Sibling recurrence

Prevention

No known way to prevent

fibromyalgia

Neurologic
o Increased substanc P and Somatostatin
o Decreased serotonin, cortisol, magnesium, oxytocin,
thyroid hormon
Reproductive Hormone Dysfunction
o Decreased relaxin, testosterone,
Immune System Dysfunction
o Increased cytokines and activation of glial cells
Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction
o Sympathetic and Parasympathetic imbalance
! Sympathetic is hyperactive
! Parasympathetic is hypoactive
o Circulatory system dysfunction
! Decreased circulation, low blood pressure,
increased heart rate
Issues with pain processing in CNS
Dysfunctional pain inhibition

Signs and Symptoms

Generalized pain
Stiffness
Fatigue
Poor sleep
Headaches
Paresthesia
o Tingling and numbness
Painful menstrual periods
Diagnostic Criteria
o Presence of multiple
tender points
o Symptom- based
assessment
o Symptom severity scale
and widespread pain index

Prognosis

Considerations for PT

Cant be prevented or cured

Help with pain and decrease flare- ups
Mortality rate: Similar to the general
population, but increased risk of death
due to suicide
Symptoms can be managed through:
o Gluten-free dieting
o Lyrica pharmaceutical

o Mainly in middle-aged women

o Wide-spread pain/ tenderness

Clinical Pearls

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Teach them how to manage their ADLs despite
decreased load tolerance
Trigger point injections
Joint manipulation and myofascial release
Aerobic and strength exercise
Spinal manipulation and massage therapy
Contraindications
o Pain has been known to increase with
exercise for some patients

References:
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2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fibromyalgia. Http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm.Revied November 7, 2012. Acesed
September 9, 2015.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm .nih.gov/pubm ed/25160886 Accessed September 9, 2015.
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y of 8,186
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