What is fibromyalgia?
Briefly introduce what fibromyalgia is. How prevalent is it, can it get worse over time, is it easily treatable?
Fibromyalgia causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances and mood issues. Sufferers can also have increased tenderness in their joints and muscles.
Symptoms may feel worse when moving or due to weather changes. Anxiety and stress can also exacerbate symptoms.
People with fibromyalgia may experience related issues like tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disorders, resulting in jaw pain. Their condition may also cause them to experience anxiety and depression.
Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages but women have a higher likelihood of developing it, especially between ages 20 and 50.
Seeking medical guidance is vital for diagnosis and effective management. There is no cure but your GP can play a pivotal role in managing your symptoms. They can help with addressing pain, fatigue and sleep issues. There are also various holistic techniques for managing pain and reducing stress.
1 in 20 people may be affected by fibromyalgia
90% of people with fibromyalgia experience sleep problems
Fibromyalgia is recognised as a disabling condition
Lupus or RA increases the likelihood of developing fibromyalgia
What causes it?
There is no exact root cause known for fibromyalgia, but several factors are believed to contribute. Genetics, environment and heightened stress levels all play a part.
Fibromyalgia may be influenced by how the nervous system processes abnormal pain and abnormal responses in pain-controlling brain regions. This could be influenced by genetic predisposition and environmental triggers, particularly stress. Genetic mutations in neurotransmitter-related genes may intensify pain sensitivity.
Physical or psychological stress can trigger fibromyalgia. Experiencing trauma, surgery or an infection might trigger fibromyalgia symptoms. Sleep disturbances also play a crucial role. However, there isn’t always a specific trigger and fibromyalgia can develop gradually over time.
What are the symptoms & effects?
Fibromyalgia pain can begin in specific areas, categorised as ‘regions of pain,’ with some traditional overlapping tender points like your back or neck. People often describe the pain as burning, aching or throbbing. It can be a persistent, dull ache throughout your body.
Alongside chronic pain, you may face other symptoms that can seriously impact your quality of life.
Fatigue can appear suddenly, varying from mild tiredness to intense exhaustion that prevents you from doing anything. Similarly, headaches can range from mild pain to severe migraines.
You may have problems with sleep, as fibromyalgia can cause sleep disturbances or prevent you from sleeping deeply enough to restore energy levels.
Cognitive challenges known as ‘fibro fog’ can impact your ability to remember things and you may struggle with concentration.
How can it be managed?
The symptoms of fibromyalgia can be challenging. Adopting a holistic approach with various management methods can help you gain a more balanced life.
Medication
Medications like antidepressants and muscle relaxants can improve your pain tolerance and sleep quality. Your GP may prescribe Duloxetine, pregabalin or milnacipran and you should carefully consider any potential side effects.
Diet and exercise
A wholesome diet and avoiding processed foods can help reduce the inflammation associated with chronic pain. It’s also important to remain physically active as exercise will strengthen your muscles and boost your mental wellbeing. Although you may find it difficult, activity can reduce pain. Look to embrace low-impact activities, like walking, swimming or cycling. You could also try water exercises and a stationary bike.
Stress relief
It’s important to recognise stress as a trigger and find ways to manage it effectively. Massages may assist in stress relief for fibromyalgia. Cognitive-behavioural therapy and hypnotherapy can also offer supportive techniques.
How can hypnotherapy help?
Hypnotherapy for fibromyalgia can help in pain management, as well as offering stress relief. It aids your recovery by offering a non-invasive approach to improve your overall wellbeing.
Through visualisation techniques, hypnotherapy can ease specific areas of pain or discomfort associated with your fibromyalgia. Hypnosis is used to reveal reduced brain activity in the pain network, addressing root causes tied to stress or trauma.
Psychological relaxation achieved through hypnotherapy helps to reduce stress that often exacerbates fibromyalgia symptoms. In addition, muscle relaxation can help to reduce sleep disturbances and promote improved sleep quality.
Hypnotherapy for fibromyalgia enables you to gain mental clarity and an increased sense of control over your condition. With increased resilience, you will gain a better quality of life as you manage your fibromyalgia symptoms effectively.
Our Fibromyalgia Hypnotherapy Specialists
Carmen Harrington
Market Harborough
Caroline Prout
Thrapston
Chris Johannes
Spalding
Claire Noyelle
Maidstone East
Dawn Ibbetson
Chelmsford
Gary Johannes
Peterborough
Jill Whitehouse
Newcastle upon Tyne
Keeley Smith
Southend-on-Sea
Kerry Seymour
Weston-super-Mare
Peter Ely
Islington
Victoria Anderson
Sunderland
Why Choose Inspired To Change
Our solution focused hypnotherapists empower you to better understand your brain, helping to guide you towards solutions and achieve the outcomes you want. We have a team of fully trained hypnotherapists, giving you the choice of who to work with and how you want to work with them. Solution focused hypnotherapy is just as effective in-person or online in the comfort of your own home, so you can find the ideal therapist to help you reach your goals.
Every one of our hypnotherapists is recognised by governing bodies like the National Council for Hypnotherapy, the UK’s leading not-for-profit hypnotherapy professional association. They have all trained with Clifton Practice Hypnotherapy Training, one of the leading hypnotherapy schools in the UK.
