FIBROMYALGIA – BACK PAIN BLOG UK…

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MYOFASCIAL PAIN -v- DISC PAIN?…

June 1, 2023May 24, 2023 barmac5

As most of my readers know I suffer from chronic back pain. Nowadays spinal fusion is not used as the first choice for prolapsed discs with pain management being the first treatment and only if nerves are compressed is it used as another option.

The problem with spinal fusion especially if you have more than one surgery is the pressure it puts on the disc below and above your fusion.

Another condition which you can also suffer from after any type of surgery is Myofascial Pain Syndrome which is a chronic painful muscle disorder and is common if you have experienced a muscle injury. Over time these myofascial restrictions can lead to poor biomechanics, altered structural alignment, compromised blood supply and pain. Other causes of myofascial pain are injuries to an intervertebral disc, general fatigue, repetitive motions, and some medical conditions.

The symptom of the condition includes muscle pain that feels like a firm knot, which is accentuated when moved. Myofascial pain syndrome gets worse or fails to improve over time. Muscles feel weak, stiff and inflexible and have a reduced range of motion. Due to the pain, there may be difficulty in sleeping, which may also affect a person’s mood.

It is characterised by the myofascial trigger points and the symptoms include persistent or worsening pain, deep and aching muscle pain, tender knots located in the muscles and pain after exercise or sporting activity.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is the name given to pain caused by trigger points and fascia (connective tissue) adhesions in the body, usually in muscle tissue, and inflammation in the body’s soft tissues. The myofascial pain is usually caused by overuse of the muscle, trauma (injury) or psychological stress. Other contributing factors may include bad posture, small lesions, soft tissue tension or rheumatic arthritis, gout, thyroid problems, or psoriasis among other diseases.

Myo = muscle
Fascia = the main connective tissue in the body
Release = to let go, ease pressure

Treatments include anti-inflammatory medication, pain killers, physical therapy, stretching, massage therapy and trigger point injections.

A trigger point injection is either a cortisone injection or dry needling. Pain relief is quick and helps in continuing physical therapy. Trigger point injections can also be used for people suffering from degenerative disc disease.

Understanding the cause of your pain is an important step to finding an effective solution. It may involve a series of sessions and an at home program to keep the area strong.

Disc pain can come from a disc bulge or prolapse but you can also get myofascial pain which could be treated conservatively instead of surgery. Fibromyalgia patients can also suffer from myofascial pain. According to history, Sir William Gowers introduced the term fibrositis for a common, but idiopathic, localized form of muscular rheumatism that is now recognised as myofascial pain syndrome in 1904. And, despite the intervening years, it still constitutes the largest group of unrecognised and undertreated acute and chronic pain problems. Some people (like myself) have also been told they could have Fibromyalgia, previously named ‘fibrositis’.

Nerve block injections into your neck for a disc bulge can be quite dangerous as they are quite tricky to do and they go through the front of your neck.

I guess with any spinal pain after you have had all the tests it’s then worth trying alternative treatments well before you resort to surgery which is something I have always said I would avoid having.

Source: Top Doctors

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TWENTY TIPS FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED FIBROMYALGIA SUFFERERS…

May 19, 2023May 15, 2023 barmac5

If you have been newly diagnosed with Fibromyalgia here are a few tips to help you deal with the condition.

1. Never be afraid to ask for help, be it with the shopping, cooking or cleaning. As most sufferers tend to ‘look fine’ most people do not realise the pain they are suffering inside, so if you don’t ask you won’t get help.

2. If work is leaving you exhausted and in pain, then design a flexible plan that works for you and your boss. Ask about working from home part-time, or setting your hours for earlier or later in the day so you can be more productive, during this busy time.

3. Don’t try to always put on a happy face. Your loved ones need to know what makes your symptoms worse.

4. Rest, rest and more rest, every little helps to recharge your batteries. When you feel that overwhelming urge to sleep try and get forty winks.

5. Support groups can play an important part in the lives of people with chronic illnesses. Whether in person or online, they offer a safe place to talk with others who may share your frustrations and concerns.

6. Tomorrow is another day and with Fibromyalgia tomorrow can be a more comfortable day, so try to not think negative when you are having a bad day.

7. Keep all your ‘helpful’ pain relievers on hand, be it a hot water bottle, pillow, cushion or whatever you have that helps your pain.

8. A useful purchase for going out is a lightweight portable stadium seat which you can find on Amazon.

9. Also a sciatica support cushion can be great to have in your car while travelling. I could not manage many journeys without mine. There are lots to choose from.

10.This is an Adjustable Tripod Walking Stick and seat. If, like me you cannot stand for long in a queue then this is just perfect. The Height adjustable walking stick seat is designed to provide support and comfort and provides a stable and comfortable seated position when you need a break from standing.

11. Have a very hot bath or a hot shower. When it comes to reducing pain, soaking yourself in super hot water may not be your first thought but it can actually provide significant relief. My day starts with me taking my meds then having a hot shower. I feel totally different twenty minutes later. Heat, heat and more heat helps with pain.

12. Try and stay as active as possible which is a hard thing to ask if you are in pain but staying active is a powerful way to reduce daily pain. A walk a day may keep the Doctor away. Ten minutes can make a big difference to your health and well being then increase it to 15 or 20 minutes. Your GP or physiotherapist may be able to refer you to a health professional who specialises in helping people with fibromyalgia work out an exercise plan.

13. Leave the house cleaning until you are on a good day and do it in stages and not all at once. Always pace yourself to help avoid flare ups.

14. Try and get a rest every day. Sleep is very important for Fibro sufferers so if you have had a bad night rest for an hour in the afternoon. I have a daily nap between 3-4pm and if I miss it I feel tired late afternoon which then seems to trigger more pain.

15. Shop online then you don’t need to carry anything but still get your walks in on a daily basis if you can.

16. Keep a trigger journal it will remind you what and when you seem to get your flare ups.

17. Learn how to relax. If you have fibromyalgia, it’s important to regularly take time to relax or practise relaxation techniques. Stress can make your symptoms worse or cause them to flare up more often. There are many relaxation aids available, including books, tapes and courses.

18. Take up a hobby. Find something that really relaxes you. At the moment I am really into adult paint by numbers and find it very very relaxing to do. I also like knitting but do need to pace myself with knitting as it soon affects my arms.