Physical Therapy in Astoria, NY
How Can Physical Therapy Help Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a real disorder that unfortunately targets millions of people across the world. The symptoms tend to be spots of tenderness, fatigue, and pain throughout the bones and muscles. Lamentably, testing for fibromyalgia is fruitless because there is no known cause. In fact, fibromyalgia can occasionally be one of the more difficult disorders to effectively diagnose. But that hasn’t stopped the good people at Advance physical therapy in Nassau County from assisting individuals suffering from the disease.
Potential Causes of Fibromyalgia
Doctors are still unsure of what causes fibromyalgia however, they have pinpointed a few things that may lead to developing this condition:
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- Genetics – If a family member has fibromyalgia, then other members of the family may be more susceptible to potentially getting it or passing the gene on. Certain genetic mutations may also be a prime catalyst for fibromyalgia. However, the specific genes of the complication still elude scientists and doctors today.
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- Infections – If a patient is attempting to fight off the common cold or even something potentially worse, that might make them a possible threat to contract fibromyalgia.
- Trauma/Stress – Physical and emotional trauma may lead to developing fibromyalgia. Undergoing a mortifying experience may have the consequence of acquiring the disorder.
Symptoms and Warning Signs of Fibromyalgia
As stated previously, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can make diagnosing the disease an onerous task. But if an individual is interested in learning more about potential catalysts, they should consider pursuing physical therapy in Nassau County and consult with their PT if they have the following symptoms:
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- Pain – Discomfort throughout the body is typically an immediate warning sign of fibromyalgia. The pain may not be specifically sharp or piercing but more of a dull ache within a patient’s body. The areas that commonly are affected can include the joints, shoulders, and hips. Consistent pain for a prolonged period of time needs to be examined by a medical professional.
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- Fatigue – Another symptom is fatigue, people with fibromyalgia report they sleep enough but it does not feel like it. Fibromyalgia may cause people to wake up throughout the night. Fibromyalgia may lead to other sleep-related diseases such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.
- “Fibro Fog”– People with fibromyalgia may develop cognitive problems which could affect their focus, memory, and attention span.
Treatment of Fibromyalgia
When it comes to treatment for fibromyalgia it is more about managing the pain instead of healing the problem altogether. There is no known cure yet but here are some of the better options:
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- Pain Relievers – Ibuprofen (Advil) may help reduce the pain, as well as acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- Anti-Seizure Drugs – Sometimes medication that is designed with a specific purpose can also have other benefits. Gabapentin (Neurontin) has been proven to aid in easing the pain of fibromyalgia. Pregabalin (Lyrica) has also been recognized by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a problematic disorder that needs to be taken seriously. While there may not be an explicit cure, that shouldn’t mean an indefinite lifetime of suffering is awaiting a patient. There are certainly a copious amount of techniques used for living with fibromyalgia. If an individual is suffering from this complication, they should consider physical therapy in Nassau County over at Advance PT and make an appointment today.
