The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

Fibromyalgia

Chronic Widespread Pain with Central Sensitization

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Published:

This content is for general information; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon department. Book Appointment →

What is Fibromyalgia?

A chronic central sensitization syndrome with widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and cognitive symptoms ('fibro fog').

Altered central pain processing amplifies normally non-painful stimuli; peripheral small-fiber neuropathy coexists in many cases.

Diagnosis by 2016 ACR criteria: widespread pain index and symptom severity score ≥ threshold, present ≥3 months.

Not inflammatory and not a diagnosis of exclusion; dual diagnosis with other rheumatic diseases possible.

Symptoms

Widespread musculoskeletal pain for at least 3 months
Profound fatigue and non-restorative sleep
Cognitive difficulty: memory, concentration, word-finding ('fibro fog')
Morning stiffness and tenderness to light touch (allodynia)
Headaches, irritable bowel, and genitourinary symptoms
Mood disturbance: depression and anxiety

Risk Factors

Female sex (female-to-male ratio roughly 2:1)
Age 30–60 years, though occurs at any age
Family history of fibromyalgia or central sensitization disorders
Prior physical or emotional trauma
Coexisting rheumatic disease (RA, SLE, AS)
Psychiatric comorbidity (depression, PTSD)

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Widespread pain with fatigue and sleep disturbance for over 3 months
  • New or worsening symptoms that may suggest another diagnosis
  • Impaired function despite current management

Treatment Methods

01
Aerobic exercise (low-impact) and gradually progressive resistance training as first-line
02
Patient education and cognitive-behavioral therapy for pain and coping
03
Pharmacotherapy: duloxetine, milnacipran, pregabalin, low-dose amitriptyline
04
Sleep hygiene and treatment of comorbid sleep disorders
05
Multidisciplinary rehabilitation integrating psychologist, physiotherapist, and physiatrist
06
Mindfulness, tai chi, yoga, and hydrotherapy as adjunctive approaches

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain

Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon

Physical therapy for low back pain reduces pain and supports long-term recovery using a comprehensive approach that combines electrotherapy, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise and patient education.

Rehabilitation for Neck Pain

Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon

Rehabilitation for neck pain is a multidimensional program including cervical mobilization, strengthening exercises and posture education that reduces pain and prevents recurrence.

Knee Rehabilitation

Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon

Knee rehabilitation is a structured exercise and physiotherapy programme used after arthroscopy, replacement or ligament surgery, or in conservative management, to restore full knee function.

Shoulder Rehabilitation

Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon

Shoulder rehabilitation is the staged exercise and manual-therapy programme that restores motion and strength after rotator cuff repair, frozen shoulder, shoulder arthroplasty or subacromial impingement.

Post-Stroke Rehabilitation

Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon

Post-stroke rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary process aimed at regaining motor function, speech, swallowing and daily living activities to the highest possible level in patients who have had a stroke.

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon

Spinal cord injury rehabilitation is a long-term process targeting the highest possible functional level for patients with paralysis, sensory loss, and autonomic dysfunction caused by spinal cord damage.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon

Myofascial pain syndrome is a common regional pain disorder characterized by hyperirritable spots in taut skeletal muscle bands (trigger points) producing referred pain patterns. Treatment targets trigger point inactivation and restoration of normal muscle length and function.

Lymphedema

Fizik Tedavi ve Rehabilitasyon

Lymphedema is a condition in which damage to or obstruction of the lymphatic vessels leads to accumulation of lymph fluid in the tissues, causing chronic swelling, a sensation of heaviness and skin changes.

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.