Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose and treat, so it requires specialized care. Talk to Mikhail Artamonov, MD, and his team at Amira Integrative Health PC in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, if you’re experiencing widespread pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms. Dr. Artamonov and his colleagues excel at diagnosing fibromyalgia. They also create personalized treatment plans that help patients manage their condition more successfully. Call Amira Integrative Health PC today or schedule a consultation online to get the expert help you need for fibromyalgia.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) characteristics include widespread, long-term pain, tenderness in specific areas, and severe fatigue. Pain can be mild or intense, affecting the body’s muscles, joints, and/or skin. Fibromyalgia pain isn’t contained in one area but affects different places at different times or often the entire body.

Unexplained pain or nerve sensitivity is usually the first fibromyalgia symptom. It’s often affected by stress, changes in temperature, and unusual activity. Fibromyalgia trigger points cause pain with light pressure. They commonly develop in the:

• Back of your head
• Middle of your shoulders
• Front of your neck
• Top of your chest
• Elbows
• Hips
• Knees

Identifying trigger points is often the key to diagnosing fibromyalgia.

You could experience other symptoms, including restless leg syndrome (an uncomfortable sensation that causes leg movement), headaches or migraines, intense menstrual pain, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Stress, anxiety, and depression are common with fibromyalgia. You might have difficulty remembering and concentrating and suffer from confusion. Problems with memory and thinking are so common among fibromyalgia patients they’re known as fibro fog.

The unrelenting fatigue, pain, and mental fogginess are overwhelming and often frightening. You might need help to complete everyday tasks or even get out of bed. The Amira Integrative Health PC team focuses on treating the key underlying problems to restore your vitality, productivity, and quality of life.

What causes fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a complicated disorder that’s hard to diagnose. Your risk of developing fibromyalgia increases with the following:

• Sickness
• Chronic, hidden infections
• Traumatic events like car accidents
• Injuries or repetitive strain
• Diseases like osteoarthritis
• Immune system dysfunction
• Sympathetic nervous system dysfunction (resulting in problems like weather sensitivity)

Fibromyalgia is often idiopathic (without a clear cause). No diagnostic tests exist to identify the disorder, and it’s poorly understood in mainstream medicine. Patients often suffer for years without a diagnosis or effective treatment.

How is fibromyalgia treated?

Fibromyalgia has no cure, but the Amira Integrative Health PC team can help you manage your symptoms. They design a personalized treatment based on the problems you experience. The treatment addresses your condition’s causes where possible. Potential fibromyalgia treatments include:

• Antidepressant medicines
• Anticonvulsant drugs
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Psychological counseling
• Trigger point injections (containing local anesthetics and steroids)
• Acupuncture
• Biofeedback
• Relaxation and meditation
• Ozone therapy
• Intravenous (IV) therapy
• Prescription pain medication
• Ketamine infusions
• Medical marijuana

Combining several treatments usually produces the best results.

Call Amira Integrative Health PC today or book an appointment online for expert fibromyalgia diagnosis and treatment.