How to Deal with Pain from Fibromyalgia Trigger Points

One of the things that fibromyalgia is most known for is the very painful trigger points; these trigger points are several sore tender points that can be found on the body. For a doctor to give the diagnosis of fibromyalgia there needs to be the presence of fibromyalgia trigger points on at least eleven areas of the body. These trigger point are ordinarily found in the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knees and elbows.

Painful Fibromyalgia Trigger Points

Many people have reported that the most painful aspect of this mysterious disorder called fibromyalgia is when the trigger points start to become swollen and inflamed causing a great deal of pain. Research has shown that many fibromyalgia attacks tend to be brought on by stress. Lack of sleep plus fatigue can also bring on a fibromyalgia attack. which can inflame the trigger points, causing the pain to become so acute that it prevents the sufferer from performing the usual tasks of life. It is extremely difficult for the patient with fibromyalgia to be active when they are experiencing so much pain but sometimes that is exactly what they need. Talking to their doctor about setting up a regular exercise program that consists of mild stretching exercises maybe beneficial.

There are several additional symptoms of fibromyalgia that may be needed for a diagnosis, but it is usually the pain from the trigger point that the patient will eventually make an appointment with their doctor. The patient often comes in complaining of intense pain in certain parts of the body that is intermitent, turning worse under certain life conditions

The fibromyalgia trigger points that are in the chest, neck and shoulders tend to be particularly painful to the doctors touch. Additional symptoms of fibromyalgia that a affected person may be experiencing is: Chronic fatigue, lack of sleep, irritable bowel syndrome, and excessive dryness of the mucous membranes.

Generally the patient does not link these symptoms with the pain they are experiencing from the trigger points and may be confused why the doctor is asking questions about symptoms other than muscle and joint pain. Nevertheless, a knowledgeable doctor who is familiar with fibromyalgia trigger points can tie the symptoms together and make a diagnosis.

This disorder has bewildered medical researchers for over 150 years because none of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are externally obvious, including trigger points. Since it cannot be determined by any lab test or through any other method, some experts in the medical field are still debating whether or not fibromyalgia really does exist. However, it is not at all debatable for those who suffer from it on a day-to-day basis.