Connecticut Pain Solutions provides pain management and neurology services in Ridgefield and Wallingford, CT. Call 203-724-9290 (Ridgefield) or 203-626-9080 (Wallingford) to learn more and schedule your appointment.
Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder. It is marked by widespread pain throughout the body, which may be excruciating. In addition, many sufferers experience sleep disorders, depression, and “brain fog.” There is much that is not yet known about fibromyalgia, though research seems to indicate that it is a disorder in how the brain processes signals that it receives from the rest of the body.
Each person experiences fibromyalgia differently, with different pain levels, with different sensations, and even different triggers. That means that there is no single treatment for fibromyalgia. A good pain management specialist will develop a highly personalized treatment plan for each patient that fights the pain and other symptoms without triggering a flare-up.
At Connecticut Pain Solutions, we use a combination of modern technology and hands-on treatment to solve complex pain issues. Your journey begins with a thorough evaluation that includes both physical manipulation of the painful areas of your body and a detailed conversation about the nature of your symptoms. Depending on our findings, we will develop a customized treatment plan that includes one or more therapeutic techniques:
- Medication Management
- Although we strive to cure your pain rather than simply mask it, the reality is that most people with fibromyalgia require medications to curb their symptoms. Finding the right combination of medications for each individual can be tricky, and involves some trial and error. We can take charge of your medication management, minimizing the risk of drug interactions and working closely with you to determine what effects each medication has on you.
- Trigger Point Injections
- Many people with fibromyalgia experience numerous trigger points throughout their bodies. A trigger point is a small nodule formed when a muscle is so tightly knotted that blood cannot circulate through it. Although most trigger points can eventually be worked out with massage, trigger point injections can be faster and less painful, especially for those whose fibromyalgia makes it difficult to tolerate massage. Trigger point injections increase range of motion and reduce pain.
- Treating Underlying Pain Generators
- Although biomechanical issues do not appear to cause fibromyalgia, they can significantly contribute to the pain. We will evaluate your body’s structures to look for imbalances, bone spurs, and other issues that could be causing or worsening your pain. Treatments for specific issues range from steroid injections to nerve blocks to radiofrequency ablations. We will discuss our findings and recommendations with you following your initial evaluation.
- Physical Therapy
- As you experience pain, your body tries to protect itself, often by wrapping its muscles, tendons, and ligaments tightly around the painful area. This is a valuable survival skill for coping with specific injuries, such as a dislocated shoulder. When you have a chronic pain condition such as fibromyalgia, though, this can lead to an ever-worsening cycle of pain. The tightening muscles cause more pain, which triggers them to tighten even further.
- Physical therapy can break this cycle. Using targeted techniques to loosen your muscles and joints, physical therapy can dramatically reduce your pain levels.
Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder that requires highly individualized treatment. If you are in Connecticut and are ready to learn your options, call 203-724-9290 (Ridgefield) or 203-626-9080 (Wallingford) to learn more and schedule your appointment.