Fibromyalgia is a long-term health condition that causes chronic pain throughout the body. Due to its varying symptoms and a lack of diagnostic tests, the condition has long been misunderstood.
But, thanks to ongoing research, experts are continually learning more about fibromyalgia – including how to manage its impact on quality of life.
Here, we’ll look closer at the symptoms, causes, and potential treatment options for fibromyalgia.
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
Because its symptoms often mimic those of other conditions, fibromyalgia can be difficult to understand – even for healthcare professionals. In fact, experts previously questioned whether fibromyalgia was real.
However, thanks to growing research, constant strides are being made to understand the condition better and help people live well.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain throughout the body that typically feels like a consistent, dull ache.
According to the NHS, fibromyalgia can cause several other symptoms, including…
- Muscle stiffness
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Trouble falling or staying asleep, which may cause daytime fatigue
- Struggling with mental processes (known as fibro-fog), such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Feeling frustrated, worried, or low in mood
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
It’s also common for fibromyalgia to affect your mental and emotional health. In fact, in this study, many people with fibromyalgia found the mental fogginess caused by the condition more upsetting than the physical pain.
It’s also common for people with fibromyalgia to move between flare-ups and periods of remission, when their symptoms improve.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
What does fibromyalgia pain feel like?
Pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia and can range from a mild ache to intense pain.
Fibromyalgia pain can affect various muscles and soft tissues around the body, but some areas are more commonly affected. We’ll cover some of these below.
Chest pain
Fibromyalgia pain in the chest can feel similar to pain caused by a heart attack. Because fibromyalgia chest pain is centred in the cartilage that connects your ribs and breastbone, it’s common for the pain to radiate out to your arms and shoulders.
According to experts, fibromyalgia chest pain can feel like a sharp, stabbing, or burning pain – often making it difficult to catch your breath.
Back pain
The back is one of the most common areas where people experience chronic pain – including pain caused by fibromyalgia. Because back pain is so common, it can sometimes be unclear whether it’s caused by fibromyalgia or another condition, such as arthritis or a pulled muscle.
Experiencing other symptoms alongside back pain, such as fatigue or brain fog, can help to point to fibromyalgia as the cause. However, it’s also possible to have a combination of arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Leg pain
Another common area to experience fibromyalgia pain is in the muscles and soft tissues of your legs.
According to experts, leg pain caused by fibromyalgia can feel similar to the pain of a pulled muscle or stiffness caused by arthritis. Many people describe fibromyalgia-induced leg pain as deep, burning, or throbbing. In some cases, you may also experience numbness or tingling.
Fatigue can manifest in the legs, too. For example, your limbs may feel heavy, as if they’re being held down by weights.
Experiencing an uncontrollable urge to move your legs can be a sign of both restless leg syndrome and fibromyalgia, so one may be mistaken for the other.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
If you suspect you may be living with fibromyalgia, it’s important to speak to your GP.
There’s currently no specific test to diagnose fibromyalgia, which can make it difficult to spot. This is made more complex by the fact that symptoms can vary from person to person, often reflecting those of several other conditions.
As a result, diagnosis often relies on a combination of symptoms, medical history, and a physical exam. You can find out more about diagnosing fibromyalgia on the NHS website.
What causes fibromyalgia and are there any risk factors?
The cause of fibromyalgia is currently unknown. However, experts believe that it may be related to abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain and changes in how the central nervous system (the brain, nerves, and spinal cord) processes pain messages around the body.
While anyone can develop fibromyalgia, the NHS has identified several factors that may increase your risk.
Fibromyalgia is more common in women than men and typically develops between the ages of 25 and 55. There’s also evidence that genetics may play a role in the development of fibromyalgia. In many cases, the condition appears to be triggered by physical or emotional factors, such as injury, stress, or infection.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
How is fibromyalgia treated?
There’s currently no cure for fibromyalgia. However, several treatment options can help relieve symptoms and make the condition easier to live with.
We’ll cover some of these below.
Lifestyle changes to treat fibromyalgia
Take steps to manage stress
Studies have identified a strong link between stress and fibromyalgia symptoms – with many people reporting stress as their most common trigger for flare-ups.
As a result, many people find that introducing stress-relieving activities, such as mindfulness, into their routine, to be a huge help. In this study, mindfulness was linked with mild to moderate improvements in fibromyalgia-related symptoms.
You can learn more about mindfulness in our guide. Or, for more ideas, check out our articles: 7 tips for coping with stress and anxiety and 9 simple stress relieving activities.
Stay active
Exercising may be the last thing you feel like doing if you’re in pain. But research has found that staying active can help reduce fibromyalgia symptoms. In fact, the NHS cites exercise as one of the most effective approaches – particularly for reducing pain and fatigue.
It’s best to start slow and choose activities that won’t create too much strain. Experts generally recommend any low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. Stretching and strength-based exercises such as yoga, Tai Chi, and resistance training can also be beneficial.
In this study, participants found that practising Tai Chi once or twice a week helped relieve fibromyalgia symptoms – even more so than moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
If you’re yet to find a form of exercise you enjoy, head over to our fitness and exercise section for inspiration. Alternatively, you might like to try one of the fitness classes over on Rest Less Events.
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
While there’s no specific diet advice for treating fibromyalgia, research suggests that anti-inflammatory diet approaches may be beneficial.
For example, the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, has shown promise for relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. Other studies have highlighted the benefits of plant-based diets, gluten-free diets, and the low-FODMAP diet for treating fibromyalgia.
There’s also evidence that certain nutrients, including vitamin D, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, may be particularly important for managing fibromyalgia. Take this study, which noted a link between vitamin B12 deficiency and fibromyalgia symptoms.
Some people find that certain foods can exacerbate symptoms – particularly ultra-processed foods, which are linked with inflammation. Keeping a food diary can help identify food triggers.
Head over to our diet and nutrition section for more information.
Note: It’s important to speak to your GP before starting a new diet, particularly approaches like the low-FODMAP diet which significantly restricts what you eat, as these aren’t suitable for everyone.
Take steps to conserve energy
Many people with fibromyalgia struggle with fatigue, which can impact daily life. For this reason, breaking down daily tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and scheduling regular rest breaks can be helpful.
Learning to prioritise tasks and saying no when necessary can also be beneficial. Remember, you can’t do everything, and that’s okay! Check out our article, The power of saying no – 8 ways to say no and why it’s important, for more help with this.
Health checks for living well, longer
We all have different reasons for getting health checks – reassurance, motivation, curiosity.
With Bupa, you’ll find the health check that gives you the right knowledge for you. Because when you know what’s going on, you’re empowered to take action, and feel better.
Build a strong support network
Being diagnosed with a long-term health condition like fibromyalgia can take time to come to terms with. For this reason, building a good support network can make all the difference.
This might mean opening up to a trusted friend or family member about how you’re feeling, or leaning into organisations that offer support. For example, Fibromyalgia Action UK has a helpline, information packs, and regional support groups where you can connect with others going through similar experiences.
If fibromyalgia is taking a toll on your mental health, it’s important to allow yourself the time and space to process your feelings. For more support with this, head over to our healthy mind section.
Talking therapies to treat fibromyalgia
According to the NHS, two talking therapies may help to reduce pain caused by fibromyalgia. They are…
- Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) – aimed at helping you accept what’s out of your control while identifying changes to make life easier. Studies suggest ACT can be effective for improving sleep quality, reducing pain, and managing negative emotions.
- Cognitive behavourial therapy (CBT) – helps people understand how their thoughts and emotions influence behaviour. CBT has been found to significantly reduce the impact of fibromyalgia pain, improve mood, and reduce pain catastrophising.
If you feel you’d benefit from talking therapy, you can either ask your GP to refer you or refer yourself directly to NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP. The healthy mind section of our website also has more information on counselling and therapy services.
Medicine to treat fibromyalgia
In some cases, antidepressants may be prescribed to help treat fibromyalgia. For more information, head over to the NHS website.
Alternative therapies to treat fibromyalgia
There’s evidence that alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, can help to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with long-term pain. That said, further research is needed to confirm its long-term effectiveness.
Growing research into the effects of medical cannabis as a treatment option for chronic pain is also promising.
According to experts, medical cannabis treatments may help to reduce inflammation and discomfort caused by fibromyalgia. For example, in this study, medical cannabis treatment was linked with better pain management, mood regulation, motivation, and cognitive function in people with fibromyalgia.
If you’d like to read more, check out our article: Chronic pain – how can medical cannabis treatment help?
Final thoughts…
Due to its effects on daily life, fibromyalgia can be incredibly difficult to live with. However, while the condition has long been misunderstood, experts are increasingly understanding more about how it’s possible to live well with fibromyalgia.
For further reading, head over to the general health section of our website. Here, you’ll find information on everything from bone, joint, and muscle health to important health checks for over 50s.
Do you have any experience with fibromyalgia? Is there anything you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
