Fibromyalgia, described as muscle and connective tissue pain, is a disorder classified by the presence of chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to gentle touch. Other core features of the disorder include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. In addition, persons affected by the disorder frequently experience a range of other symptoms that involve multiple body systems, including difficulty with swallowing, functional bowel and bladder abnormalities, difficulty breathing, diffuse sensations of numbness and tingling and cognitive dysfunction. An increased likelihood of affective and anxiety-related symptoms is also well known. While the criteria for such an entity have not yet been thoroughly developed, the recognition that fibromyalgia involves more than just pain has led to the frequent use of the term "fibromyalgia syndrome". Not all affected persons experience all the symptoms associated with the greater syndrome.
Many patients experience cognitive dysfunction (known as "brain fog" or "fibrofog"), which may be characterized by impaired concentration, problems with short and long-term memory, short-term memory consolidation, impaired speed of performance, inability to multi-task, cognitive overload,[17][18]diminished attention span, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. "Brain fog" may be directly related to the sleep disturbances experienced by sufferers of fibromyalgia.
At 'physiotherapy + pilates evolved' we follow 'Dr Sherwood's Philosophy' when treating fibromyalgia. Dr Paul Sherwood is a prominent London consultant who had his own philosophy for underlying causes of fibromyalgia. He called this hypo-sympathetic tone (HST), or low sympathetic drive. The base of Dr. Sherwood's theory is that hypo-sympathetic tone is caused by imbalances in the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system. The condition of the back plays a huge role in imbalances in the nervous systems. When balance is restored between these systems by treating the back, negative effects will decrease and health will improve.
Some treatments for fibromyalgia (or HST) are:
- Mobilisation and Manipulation
- Ultrasound
- Acupuncture
- Massage therapy
- Electrotherapy
- Exercise
See Dr Sherwoods site for more information of the Sherwood Technique.
Click here to see a flow chart of what can result from injury, what systems may be affected and resulting symptoms.