Fibromyalgia pain can be classified into two general areas:
A history of widespread pain (present for at least 3 months)
The ACR considers pain to be widespread when all of the following are present:
- Pain in the left side of the body (including left shoulder and left buttock)
- Pain in the right side of the body (including right shoulder and right buttock)
- Pain above the waist
- Pain below the waist
- Axial skeletal pain (including cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine or low back)
Pain in at least eleven of eighteen sites on the body
The doctor begins the exam, looking for pain?not tenderness?in eleven of eighteen different sites, known as tender points:
- Both sides of the back of the head (?Occiput?)
- Both sides at the front of the cervical spine at C5-C7 (Low cervical)
- Muscles on both sides of the back of the neck (Trapezius)
- Both shoulders near the rotator cuff (Supraspinatus)
- Near both second ribs (the second rib is the second rib from the top of the rib cage)
- Both outer parts of the elbow (Lateral epicondyle)
- Both upper outer areas of the buttocks
- Where both femurs meet the hips (Greater trochanter)
- Both knees
In the US, most often people are diagnosed with fibromyalgia in middle age, and the prevalence of diagnoses tends to increase with age.
The Fibromyalgia Support Groups at SupportGroups.com is for individuals, friends and families who are looking to connect during life's challenging times. Share personal experiences, evaluate information and get support during times of need, illness, treatment or recovery.
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