Fibromyalgia and TENS

Fibromyalgia: What is it?

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the the fibrous tissues in the body (the muscles, ligaments and tendons). The main symptom of fibromyalgia is severe muscle pain but it can also be accompanied by: fatigue, chest pain, headaches, fever, abdominal pain, insomnia, swollen lymph nodes, irritable bowel syndrome and depression.

Fibromyalgia can not be detected in a diagnostic lab or x-ray, but a physician can confirm the diagnosis by finding tender points in characteristic locations. Fibromyalgia often runs in families, suggesting that it can be inherited, but may lie dormant until triggered by an infection, injury, stress, or sleep disturbance. It is closely related to the chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndromes and to migraines. Some have suggested that these are all just different facets of the same disease.

What causes it?

Neurotransmitter and endocrine changes occur in fibromyalgia, particularly involving serotonin and the pituitary-adrenal axis, but as these same changes can also be produced by experimental deep sleep deprivation, they are probably secondary rather than primary. They may account for some fibromyalgia symptoms, however. Depression and migraine headaches are associated with low serotonin levels, for example, and often respond to medications that boost serotonin.

Fibromyalgia: Does TENS Pain Relief work?

There are a number of suggested treatments for fibromyalgia, such as very mild exercise. Reduction of stress and acupuncture have also been known to help as have vitamins and dietary supplements. TENS therapy has been found to be an excellent drug free alternative.

TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation is a non-invasive, drug-free method of pain relief. Pads are placed on or near the area of pain. TENS uses soothing pulses that are sent via the pads through the skin and along the nerve fibres which suppress pain signals to the brain. TENS also produces higher levels of its own natural pain killing chemicals called Endorphins and Encephalins.

In many cases, this stimulation will greatly reduce or eliminate pain. Relief may continue for several hours after the unit has been switched off.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Often the best relief is Heat therapy instead of electrotherapy.  It has been noted that sleeping with warm animals helps during the night.  Heat packs are a very good relief, especially Moist Heat Packs, such as Thermophore or Therabeads.