Dr. Frank Muscle and Joint Pain Relief

Fibromyalgia (new lat., fibro-, fibrous tissue, Gk. myo-, muscle, Gk. algos-, pain, meaning muscle and connective tissue pain) is also referred to as FM or FMS. Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain and also allodynia, a heightened and painful response to pressure. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not restricted to pain, leading to the use of the alternative term fibromyalgia syndrome for the condition. Other core symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. Some patients may also report difficulty with swallowing, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling, and cognitive dysfunction. Buskilla and Cohen state that "There are mounting data supporting comorbidity of fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and psychiatric conditions." and cite conditions such as anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Not all people with fibromyalgia experience all associated symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2-4% of the population. There is no recognized cure for fibromyalgia, but some treatments have been demonstrated by controlled clinical trials to be effective in reducing symptoms, including psychological or behavioral therapies, medications, patient education, and exercise.

As a currently medically unexplained syndrome, lacking scientific consensus as to its cause or causes, fibromyalgia is a controversial diagnosis. Many members of the medical community consider fibromyalgia a "non-disease" because of a lack of abnormalities on physical examination, the absence of objective diagnostic tests,