Ultimate Neck Pain, Back Pain & Sciatica Relief Strategies

Relative to many of today’s diseases and disorders, little is known about the etiology, the cause, and the long-term effects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). The two disorders share a myriad of characteristics, however, which begs the question: Are they really two separate diseases? How does Myofascial Pain Syndrome fit in? What are the various pain expressions characteristic of each? How are symptoms the same or distinct from each other? Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica have been reported in all three conditions but in varying degrees of intensity and frequency. How are they the same and how are they different? We have already begun to explore the answers to these questions in previous articles, we will continue to do so in this and subsequent articles in this series.

Of the two disorders, CFS is being reported to be nearing or at epidemic levels, affecting many persons at the same time across a wide range of demographic groups. CFS symptoms wax and wane more frequently than symptoms of FMS, and the rate of disability is greater in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Currently, we don’t know what the direct (or indirect) connection is between chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Early research and speculation has suggested that they could possibly be distinct, meaning the two disorders are not related, identical, the same disorder, but with different names, overlapping, two diverse expressions of a similar disorder or possibly the result of different causes or triggers leading to a common pathway, two subtypes of a larger illness and part of a spectrum of illnesses, including both…and possibly Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Until further research is done, it is difficult to say with any degree of certainty.F

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To your health!

Professor John P. J. Zajaros, Sr.,
216-712-6526
Skype: johnzajaros1
johnz@ultimatebadbackstrategies.com

Fibromyalgia is one of two conditions known collectively as the musculoskeletal pain syndrome. The constellation of symptoms expressed by fibromyalgia patients is often referred to as the fibromyalgia syndrome. Fibromyalgia symptoms are found in approximately two percent of the population, it affects vastly more women than men, with reports of ratios are as high as ten to one, women to men. Fibromyalgia, while difficult to diagnose, is usually found in individuals as early as childhood but predominantly in patients from twenty years of age to fifty. Significantly, pregnant women are affected by this disorder in greater numbers than the remainder of women in the population. The most notable symptoms of this widespread, often debilitating condition include: deep and throbbing low back pain; chronic, non-specific pain; painful trigger points, areas tender to the touch; and stiffness, sometimes known as morning stiffness. Additionally, fibromyalgia is known to produce sleeplessness and sleep dysfunction, extreme fatigue, and even anxiety and depression. In the previous article, “Understanding The Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome: Fibromyalgia and Back Pain Part I,” we discussed in some detail the various symptoms associated with the fibromyalgia syndrome. In this article, we will specifically address fibromyalgia-related pain, its consequences, and possible treatment strategies.

Fibromyalgia pain is widespread and prevalent in more than ninety-seven percent of all patients with the disorder. Fibromyalgia back pain, unlike other expressions of neck pain, back pain and/or sciatica is generally widespread and difficult, if not impossible, to pinpoint. The pain may be felt in the tendons, the muscles, and even the ligaments surrounding the joints. The pain has been described as ranging from slight and mild to acute and throbbing. Other adjectives used to describe the pain are deep, sharp, dull, aching, tender, throbbing, sore, annoying, gnawing, burning, and many others. For many fibromyalgia sufferers the pain is transitory, it comes and goes and may express itself at a variety of locations on or in the body.

In addition to deep and throbbing muscle aches and pains, individuals suffering from fibromyalgia may have what is referred to as “pain to the gentle touch” or allodynia. This type of pain is expressed at various trigger points or specific locations sensitive to the touch. The fibromyalgia trigger points are generally found at or near the joints. Interestingly, it’s the area around the joints that is the most sensitive. In these areas, the pain may be at skin level and is not generally associated with the deeper, throbbing pain. Once again, the pain associated with these trigger points may also be described as prickly or needle-sharp pain, rather than deep and throbbing in the body. It must be understood, that while this pain is localized, and generally triggered by a “gentle touch” or allodynia, it is still extremely painful to the fibromyalgia sufferer.

Unfortunately, no one knows the etiology or cause of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is debilitating and often disabling, and patients often present with such significant levels of pain that it is almost impossible for them to function without accommodation. The pain is found in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and, what has been referred to as, deep skeletal pain. Pain associated with the fibromyalgia syndrome often varies in level and location from day to day. While it is unclear what causes fibromyalgia, some possible explanations include some sort of physical or stress-related trauma or event, a psychologically or emotionally upsetting or stressful event, and/or a catastrophic illness or related immune disorder.

While researchers are still searching for the ultimate explanation, many believe that fibromyalgia is the result of any abnormal amount or imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, particularly substance P, norepinephrine, dopamine and, perhaps most significantly, serotonin. Consequently, pain levels usually in check for the “normal” individual are out of whack or out of proportion for the fibromyalgia sufferer. It has been suggested, that fibromyalgia patients have their pain “volume control” set on high. Finally and as stated previously, fibromyalgia pain is characterized as one of two types of pain, pain affecting the soft tissue and particularly the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around the joints, and the existence of trigger points at skin level, particularly around the joints.

As suggested in the previous article on this topic, and noted above, treatment should be holistic in nature bringing to bear the various disciplines and subdisciplines of medicine required to treat this controversial and little understood syndrome. A combination of medications, particularly NSAIDs and antidepressants, along with behavioral therapy to deal with stress and anxiety-related conditions, as well as the depression, alternative medicine, and a thorough and complete, individualized and medically supervised exercise program should all be part of the treatment strategy. Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, as well as pain levels expressed at other areas the body, may remain problematic until a specific cause for the syndrome can be found and treated. The prognosis can be good, depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to the individual fibromyalgia syndrome sufferer’s motivation and adherence to the treatment strategy prescribed. Any program must include a complete exercise program to help overcome the neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, and a program of education, both self and group administered.

These are some of the programs I recommend. I hope they help you as much as they helped me!

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Understanding the Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome: Fibromyalgia and Back Pain Part I

Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, also referred as the back pain complex, have many causes. One the principle, least understood causes of back pain, and there are myriad causes, is commonly referred to as the musculoskeletal pain syndrome. Musculoskeletal pain syndrome is expressed in one of two forms, fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome. The two pain syndromes are responsible for pain in various parts of the body, to include the neck, back, both upper and lower, and the legs (sciatica). This article will deal with the former, fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia results in pain to the affected area when touched, these areas are known as trigger points. Fibromyalgia may also be responsible for fatigue, stiffness, and sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia is a more widespread condition than myofascial pain syndrome and is found throughout the body. Both pain syndromes are thought to be related to a change in or alteration of the body’s pain threshold, meaning that the pain reported is out of proportion with the actual pain stimuli. Fibromyalgia is an often disputed classification and in fact has been referred to as the “non-disease.”

Fibromyalgia Defined

Fibromyalgia is defined as muscle and connective tissue pain. The condition is characterized by widespread, chronic pain combined with an overly sensitive reaction to allodynia, or gentle touch. As noted above, fibromyalgia is not only responsible for widespread pain, to include neck pain, back pain, and sciatica but may also be characterized by debilitating and disabling levels of fatigue, sleeplessness and sleep dysfunction, stiffness and soreness, difficulty breathing and swallowing, and a myriad of symptoms expressed by and affecting various body systems. The concert of symptoms, not always present in full, are generally referred to collectively as the “fibromyalgia syndrome.” In addition to the above mentioned symptoms, fibromyalgia may also be expressed in terms of cognitive dysfunction, as in difficulty shaping and expressing concepts and thoughts, and an increase incidence of anxiety and affective symptoms. The link between stress and fibromyalgia appears to be a significant one, with a number of psychological manifestations being present, to include depression. In fact, there is a powerful link between major depression and fibromyalgia. The etiology or cause remains highly speculative, as it has not been shown that there is a true causal link between the two. It has been suggested, and this author concurs, that depression may be a consequence of having to endure multiple symptoms, including sleeplessness and sleep dysfunction, with no clear cause or treatment options.

Types of Pain and Fibromylagia

Fibromyalgia, as noted above, is defined as widespread, chronic pain and a response to allodynia or gentle touch, particularly at various trigger points on the body. Additionally, pain expressions or symptoms may include deep muscle aches and pains, at times deep, almost burning sensations; muscle cramps and spasms, mild to severe and debilitating, particularly low back pain radiating into the legs (sciatica); nerve pain, to include prickly or needle-like sensations on the skin; generalized weakness, particularly in the limbs; and, disturbances of the bowel, to include colitis-like spasms.

Other Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Sleeplessness and sleep disturbances are common in fibromyalgia sufferers, and may grow in severity and frequency over time; and, as psychological symptoms become more prevalent, particularly anxiety and depression. Significantly, a kind of “fibrofog” or “brain fog,” manifesting itself as cognitive dysfunction, may be a consequence of sleeplessness and dysfunction. There is a clear and demonstrable link between fibromyalgia symptoms and the inability to concentrate, difficulty with memory, both short and long term, and impaired attention span and an inability to multi-task. There are many more symptoms expressed by fibromyalgia sufferers but they are beyond the scope of this article.

Treatment Strategies Associated With Fibromyalgia

Ultimately, there are a multitude of symptoms and consequences linked to this devastating and debilitating syndrome. Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica are certainly significant in fibromyalgia patients but the concert of symptoms, the syndrome, has multiple expressions and possible causes, physiological and psychological. The fibromyalgia treatment focus must be a holistic one, primarily because of the multiple-system, multi-symptom nature of the syndrome. There is no clear and systematized approach to the handling of, much less a cure for, fibromyalgia sufferers. Treatment strategies often include analgesics such as NSAIDS (naproxen-sodium) for aches and pain. Antidepressants are often prescribed for depression and for possible serotonin dysfunction and its impact on the central nervous system’s ability to properly process pain impulses. The impact of norepinephrine and serotonin affecting and stimulating drugs is being explored, a link has been discussed and it is suggestive but the outcome is still unclear. Additionally, behavioral intervention and alternative medicine are options many pursue. As with most cases of neck pain, back pain, and sciatica, exercise is an essential component in the treatment strategy, more so due to the wide-ranging, often ambiguous constellation of pain symptoms. Again, a holistic approach is vital if there is to be a resolution for not only the neck pain, back pain, and sciatica but the myriad of additional symptoms collectively classified as the fibromyalgia syndrome.

These are some of the programs I recommend. I hope they help you as much as they helped me!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Zajaros