Fibromyalgia causes chronic pain throughout the body, with 18 common tender points. Over 75 pain points have been identified, with symptoms including depression, fatigue, and vision problems. Treatment options include exercise, rest, healthy eating, prescription drugs, and natural remedies. The cause of tender points is unknown.
People with fibromyalgia or other pain disorders can experience tender spots. Tension points are areas of the body that experience different types of pain when pressure is applied to them. Doctors define tender points as points on the body where pain occurs after nine pounds of pressure is applied.
Also known as rheumatic syndrome, fibromyalgia is a soft tissue disease that consists of chronic pain throughout the body. This pain often manifests itself in a common set of 18 tender points. While some people may experience sensitive areas of the flesh after suffering an accident, flu or other ailments, fibromyalgia sufferers have specific sensitive spots known to affect certain areas of the body. According to rheumatology experts, most people with fibromyalgia experience pain or tenderness in at least 11 of these 18 diagnostic points.
These 18 localized points occur in nine bilateral body areas. These include the knee, scapula, anterior chest, posterior shoulder, anterior neck, elbow, posterior extremity, posterior neck, and posterior hip regions. Each tender point is centralized around a joint. The joints themselves, however, are not sources of pain. Each little dot is the size of a coin.
Tender spots are not limited to the 18 areas used in diagnostic tests. Over 75 total pain points have been identified in fibromyalgia cases. In addition to these sensitive areas, patients with rheumatic ailments typically experience deep muscle tearing throughout the body. They also often battle depression and fatigue from living with long-term pain.
Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, stiffness, weight gain, chronic headaches and vision problems. Some patients may experience nausea or vomiting. Pelvic or urinary tract problems can also be a sign of the disease. People who suspect they have fibromyalgia should see their GP.
A tender point differs from a trigger point. While a trigger point may or may not feel pain when touched, it can deliver pain to another area of the body. The tender points, on the other hand, are particularly painful when touched directly.
The cause of the tender points is yet to be discovered. Inflammation was ruled out as a cause. Scientists believe the stitches themselves aren’t random, as they’re commonly experienced in the same areas by fibromyalgia patients around the world.
There are several options for treating fibromyalgia pain. Patients are advised to exercise and get plenty of rest, as well as consume healthy foods and minimize stress. Prescription drugs, including antidepressants, may be prescribed. Natural remedies for pain, such as the use of ice or warm water, are often recommended. Pain relievers can be given as needed.
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