Fibromyalgia causes pain, fatigue, emotional and mental distress, and sleep problems.

There is no cure, but you can manage it with self-care, therapies, and medicines.

On This Page

Overview

Fibromyalgia causes pain and disability, reducing a person’s quality of life. It can cause chronic (long-term) pain:

All over the body.

On one side of the body.

Above or below the waist.

Millions of people have fibromyalgia in the United States.

Fibromyalgia affects people of all ages, including children.

It’s most common in adults.

Experiencing Pain Differently

People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than those who don’t have it. This is known as “abnormal pain perception processing.”

Fibromyalgia can occur with other health problems

People with fibromyalgia are more likely to:

The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are:

Pain and stiffness all over the body.

Fatigue or tiredness.

Depression and anxiety.

Sleep problems.

Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.

Headaches, including migraines.

Other symptoms may include:

Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet.

Pain in the face or jaw, like temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Digestive problems, like stomach pain, bloating, constipation, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The causes of fibromyalgia are not known. But certain things can increase someone’s risk of developing it.

Risk factors or triggers may include:

Stressful or traumatic events, accidents, or injuries.

Repeat injuries, such as repeated joint stress from sports or physical jobs.

Illness, including viral infections.

These include:

Doctors can diagnose fibromyalgia by doing:

A physical exam.

X-rays.

Lab tests.

A review of your health history.

There’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but health care providers can help treat and manage symptoms with therapies and medicine. People with fibromyalgia can also learn ways to manage symptoms on their own.

Your health care provider may suggest working with a team of specialists, including:

Primary care provider.

Rheumatologist (specialist in fibromyalgia, arthritis, and related conditions).

Pain management specialist.

Physical therapist.

Mental health professional.

Sleep specialist.

Physiologist (science expert on the human body).

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

CBT is a type of talk therapy meant to change how people act or think.

It can help someone cope with negative thoughts about their symptoms.

Medicine.

A doctor may prescribe medicine or recommend over-the-counter pain relievers.

Researchers are working to better understand the causes of fibromyalgia and to develop new treatment strategies.

Doctors can recommend a fibromyalgia treatment plan for you.

Self-care for fibromyalgia

People with fibromyalgia can reduce pain and improve function by: