Treating Fibromyalgia and Back Pain

Treating Fibromyalgia and Back Pain

Published: February 2, 2022

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that impacts around 4 million adults in the United States. Primary symptoms include sleep disturbance, exhaustion, widespread chronic pain, and cognitive difficulties. When you have fibromyalgia, you may feel as if you cannot get enough of the pain, which might include a throbbing back. Lower back pain affects up to 49% of persons with fibromyalgia. Back pain is so common in patients with fibromyalgia that it was initially one of the symptoms physicians looked for when diagnosing the condition.

Living with fibromyalgia is difficult enough on its own, let alone when you are also dealing with chronic back pain. Luckily, there are interventional treatment options to deal with fibromyalgia back pain.

Does Fibromyalgia Back Pain Differ From Other Types of Pain?

Fibromyalgia pain is distinct from other forms of physical pain in that it impacts various body parts. This discomfort is often felt in muscles as well as other soft tissues, such as joints. As a result of how the brain processes pain, the pain becomes more intense. Other than the middle and lower back, fibromyalgia pain commonly affects the following body parts:

  • Neck
  • Arms
  • Shoulders
  • Arms

Fibromyalgia symptoms vary from person to person, since everyone is different. For example, some patients experience fibromyalgia discomfort all over their body, while others just experience it in their back or legs. The level of the pain varies from person to person as well. Some common phrases used to describe fibromyalgia pain are: 

  • Soreness 
  • Burning
  • Shooting 
  • Throbbing
  • Stabbing
  • Stiffness
  • Aching
  • Burning 

It is also important to remember that the intensity of pain fluctuates based on the activities undertaken and time of day. Some people have severe pain in the morning, while others experience severe pain during or after exercise. The degree and kind of fibromyalgia pain are also affected by stress, the weather, and lack of sleep.

How to Treat Fibromyalgia Back Pain

Similar to chronic back pain, there is no uniform therapeutic option for the pain resulting from fibromyalgia. Instead, our doctors will work with patients to better understand their fibromyalgia symptoms, which will help in exploring the ideal treatment options. To manage back pain for patients without putting them through further intrusive procedures, we always start with the most conservative kinds of treatment. The following are some types of back pain treatments that may be effective for fibromyalgia patients:

  • Gentle massages
  • Aerobic fitness with a low impact
  • Over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen, decrease inflammation, muscle aches, and enhance sleep. Avoid non-narcotic medications
  • Injections of lidocaine to reduce pain in delicate areas
  • Antidepressants
  • Yoga 
  • Physical therapy
  • Acupuncture for pain relief

Most fibromyalgia patients are already being treated by a general internist, family physician, or rheumatologist. However, all the treatments mentioned above supplement any treatment offered by other healthcare experts. 

While other medications, such as antidepressants, may be useful in addressing some symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as insomnia and depression, the treatments provided by our team of experts at Southeast Pain & Spine Care will be tailored to treat pain in the back or spine muscles. We can help ease overall back discomfort and exhaustion and any sore places that may be present by focusing on these regions.

Final Point

Fibromyalgia is a significant health problem, as seen from this article. However, it would help if you were not discouraged from seeking help, because everybody suffering from this ailment can receive several effective treatments. Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional information on Fibromyalgia back pain and available treatment options.

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Published: February 2, 2022

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