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Fibromyalgia

 graphics showing joint painFibromyalgia is a prevalent condition that results in widespread pain and tenderness on the body.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by the following three criteria:

  • The body has 19 painful areas
  • Persistent symptoms for a minimum of three months
  • Symptoms are not representative of other diseases

The condition is primarily diagnosed by reviewing a patient’s symptoms and physical exam. Since fibromyalgia is similar to arthritis, sometimes a rheumatologist can detect the condition by eliminating other rheumatic diseases as the cause of the pain. Conditions such as hypothyroidism lupus and polymyalgia also have similar symptoms as fibromyalgia; therefore, a doctor may order blood tests to ensure proper diagnosis. The condition affects two to four percent of people, and women are more prone to develop fibromyalgia.

Causes

Although the specific causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, experts believe that these risk factors may be associated with the condition:

  • Genetics
  • Emotional stress
  • Physical stress
  • Arthritis, injury, or spine problems

Those who have osteoarthritis, lupus, or ankylosing spondylitis are at higher risk for fibromyalgia.

Symptoms

 the woman is holding her shoulder in painThe most known symptom of fibromyalgia is pain all over the body. Other symptoms of the condition include:

  • Fatigue
  • Sleep problems
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Migraines and headaches
  • Pelvic pain
  • Confusion and/or memory problems
  • Digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and/or gastroesophageal reflux disease
  • Overactive bladder
  • Muscle and joint tenderness

Some people with fibromyalgia may also develop temporomandibular disorder, which consists of symptoms such as face/jaw pain, jaw clicking, and ringing in the ears.

Treatment

While there is not a cure for fibromyalgia, symptoms of the condition can be controlled with medication and alternative therapies.

  • Medication management: The United States Food and Drug Administration have approved a few drugs as proper treatment for fibromyalgia. There are many medications that may also be effective in controlling pain levels. While many people with fibromyalgia experience sleeping problems, most doctors would not recommend certain medicines for improving sleep as they could result in more medical problems.
  • Cognitive behavior therapy: This type of essential therapy focuses on completely understanding the relationship between thoughts, behaviors, and pain. Along with related therapies such as mindfulness, cognitive behavior therapy can encourage patients to learn specific skills to reduce symptoms and pain.
  • Acupuncture: This treatment is designed to relieve pain by inserting tiny needles along various areas of the body.
  • Chiropractic care: As an another alternative therapy, chiropractic can be used to successfully manage fibromyalgia symptoms. The approach focuses on pain that is associated with the musculoskeletal system.

Many patients also report feeling much better when they engage in self-care activities including daily exercise, regular sleep patterns, and meditation. In addition, body-based therapies like yoga and tai chi may also relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia.

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, contact Allied Pain & Spine Institute today to schedule an appointment to see one of our pain management specialists.

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Our Patient Reviews

Allied Pain & Spine Institute

5.0

Based on 158 reviews

Michelle T.

I fly in to see Dr. Petros from Southern California.  I wouldn't do so if he wasn't the best there is.  He is compassionate and has always treated me kindly. I can tell he is sincere in the way he talks to me and is diligently looking for solutions that work best with me and my chronic pain needs.  Very out of the box approach, which I appreciate these days!  I would truly recommend Dr. Petros to anyone looking for a Dr. that not only cares about you as a patient but has the confidence and skill set to get results! His office staff is friendly and caring too.  Allied Pain and Spine Institute is the Gold Standard in pain care in my humble opinion!! When I find a doctor that understands the issue and always goes above and beyond to help me, I do what I can to continue seeing them. I am so glad I found this office!!

Louise W.

Dr Petros is amazing!  When he uses a needle his aim is "right on".  He is also very personable, an altogether great guy.  I always find my visits to him to be very informative. I have had both sides of my degenerated back injected (epidural shots) with complete success.  He allows me to have no sedative, which is cool because his jokes and stories in the operating room are really good.  He greatly enjoys his work, and enjoys the difficult challenges of getting a needle into the right place in my back.  My arthritic knee is perhaps more straight-forward, but other doctors have failed to give me pain relief.  Dr Petros studies the structure with ultrasound before injecting it.  The result - instant relief! On my recent visit for a broken back (ski accident) the doctor and staff were very accommodating to help me make a dinner engagement shortly after my appointment.  This is definitely a five-star operation!

Ellie O.

Wow, wonderful doctor!!! I avoid all the doctors like the plague...seriously it makes my blood pressure go up when I have to go but I chose Dr. Vaidya. My friend referred him to me, he's simply the best... TOP NOTCH!!! He turned out to be a breath of fresh air. Dr. Vaidya really stands out head and shoulders above everyone else. I usually don't write reviews but he's so outstanding that I really wanted to do it for him. He's the most honest and caring doctor I have met.  He listens and gives you full attention and committed to find the best individual solution for you. He always goes out of his way to get you the most appropriate treatment and he will make it happen. He's very knowledgeable in his field. He's very professional, friendly, personable and definitely easy to talk to. His integrity is very valuable. He's one of the sharpest and most driven individuals you will ever meet.

Keith M.

Simply the best doctors and staff in the area. I've fought back and neck pain for over 30 years, and Dr. Petros and his team have kept me from the operating table and able to enjoy my life. I've had injections, acupuncture, as well as back braces. He listens to my concerns, cares very deeply for my pain and discomfort, and has successfully treated everything from stenosis, pinched nerves, herniated disks, and even helped me with the symptoms from shingles and lung disease. I couldn't be happier with the care he has given me over the years.

Kaitlin Z.

Dr. Vaidya has changed my life. I am in my late 20s with chronic pain and nothing had worked until I came here. All services here are wonderful and the staff is absolutely amazing. I can't recommend enough!!

Tracy B.

I have been a patient of Dr. Vaidya for a few years after not getting what I needed from other spine and pain doctors. I was looking for a doctor who would think outside the box and come up with some other ways to treat my growing amount of pain. Between Dr. Petros and Dr. Vaidya, they have brought me to a place where my pain is better managed. And let's just talk about bedside manners! I have never met doctors in the past 23 years of this back journey of mine that has as amazing bedside manners as these guys. I have cried and laughed with the team at Allied Spine. The way that I am always greeted and promptly cared for is bar none! The front office staff, and especially Nas, has been a God sent. I would never go anywhere else.

Justin P.

I am a new patient of DR Petros and my experience was great for my first two visits so far. He really takes time to listen to your issues and provides thorough answers and treatment options. The front desk staff are all very nice and respond in a timely manner to requests. Highly recommended all around!

Lisa A.

I have seen Dr. Vaidya for about 2 years. He is an amazing doctor.the attention and care you receive is well over 5 stars. He knows who I am by my face, he knows my health history with out looking in my chart, he remembers conversations we have had at previous appointments. He truly cares for his patients. I will be moving our of state, and will travel back here each month to see doctor Vaidya. I lost my insurance over a year ago and pay out of pocket to see the doctor, it is worth every penny to be treated with respect, as a person and with care. I love all the staff and feel like I am visiting family when I come in for my appointments.

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