Treatment For Fibromyalgia Tender Points

Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be a daunting task indeed. In most of the cases, doctors put their emphasis on finding the possibilities of other illnesses present despite of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, many doctors today focus primarily on detecting and diagnosing 18 fibromyalgia tender points to confirm their findings. To be very precise, the final diagnosis is made by analyzing these 18 fibromyalgia tender points without any exception. Quite contrary to other invasive testing procedures, examining fibromyalgia tender points is comparatively easy and less time consuming.

Tender points can be identified as some local skeletal spots that when compressed by doctors give an extreme sense of pain sensation. At the time of diagnosis, doctors compress these 18 fibromyalgia tender points in order to confirm the occurrence of the disease. In order to be diagnosed, an individual must experience 11 out of 18 tender points. The sensation of pain must be widespread with duration of at least three months.

The Difference with Trigger Points

During your diagnosis of fibromyalgia tender points, you may have frequently heard of fibromyalgia trigger points. Fibromyalgia tender points and trigger points are not referring to the same thing. The major difference between fibromyalgia tender points and trigger points is that trigger points are not static like tender points, rather they are floating and can be found anywhere in the body. They do not have any fixed location unlike the tender points. In addition, trigger points may cause pain in some other areas of the body.

The Critical Aspect of Diagnosis

At the time of diagnosing the symptoms of fibromyalgia tender points, doctors extensively ask about medical history along with comprehensive examination. Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia are quite similar to some other illnesses, sometimes it turns out a really difficult task to diagnose fibromyalgia separately. In such cases, doctors may want a blood test or MRI to be conducted. Technically the diagnosis is done by an experienced rheumatologist who applies point pressure on fibromyalgia tender points to confirm the condition.

The Criterion of Diagnosis

As explained in the statement criteria of American College of Rheumatology, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is confirmed if the patients show widespread pain in at least 11 out of 18 fibromyalgia tender points with the duration of three months. The pain must be found in both of the sides of the body and also on the upper and low parts of the body. Lower back, cervical spine, anterior chest and thoracic spine are the mostly focused zones. Each of these 18 fibromyalgia tender points needs to be examined in order to rule out the possibility of other illnesses.

Related articles

The Connection between Fibromyalgia and Weight Gain

Some Dos And Don'ts Regarding A Proper Fibromyalgia Diet

The Benefits of Reflexology for Fibromyalgia Patients

Effective Treatment of Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Delay In Treatment Can Worsen the Condition

Effective Fibromyalgia Pain Relief Methods

The Link Between Fibromyalgia And Back Pain

Fibromyalgia Study on the Benefits of Hypnosis

Fibromyalgia And Massage Therapy: Pain Relief Management

Coping With Fibromyalgia And Stress

The Connection Between Fibromyalgia And Psoriasis

Advance Fibromyalgia Research

Treatment for Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia

Coping with Fibromyalgia Disability

Going On Detox Diet to Cure Fibromyalgia

Is There a Cure for the Fibromyalgia Syndrome?