What is Fibromyalgia (FM)?

Fibromyalgia is the most common musculoskeletal condition after osteoarthritis.  Its characteristics include widespread muscle and joint pain and fatigue, as well as other symptoms. It can lead to depression and social isolation.  Multiple fMRI studies have shown dysfunction in some regions of the brain regulating pain perception in patients with Fibromyalgia.

Symptoms

The three common fibromyalgia symptoms include pain, fatigue and sleep problems.  The pain of fibromyalgia is profound, chronic and widespread. It can affect all parts of the body and vary in intensity.

The fatigue of FM is an all-encompassing exhaustion that can interfere with work, school and other daily activities.

Sleep is disturbed in FM patients.  Medical researchers have documented constant interruptions by bursts of awake-like brain activity during the Stage 4 deep sleep in FM patients, limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.

Other signs, symptoms, and overlapping conditions may include irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, Raynaud’s Syndrome, neurological symptoms, and impaired coordination.

Treatment

FM treatment includes medications to relieve pain and improve sleep.  Holistic medical therapies like yoga, massage, acupuncture, biofeedback, nutritional supplements, etc. can be very beneficial.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has shown efficacy in reducing perception of pain in patients suffering from chronic central neuropathic pain syndromes like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, post stroke pain, spinal cord or brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain syndrome, etc.  

TMS for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain

Current research shows that treatment with low frequency TMS over the precentral gyrus (also known as the motor cortex) results in long term improvement in chronic pain.  The results are improved when the rTMS is primed with intermittent theta burst stimulation using the TMS device.

Fibromyalgia, Pain  & TMS

Research Papers