FMS is associated with the presence of widespread aching pain and tender points. Tender points do not occur exclusively in muscle, and are considered to be anatomic sites of excessive local tenderness. FMS patients may also have widespread aching and pain in all four quadrants of the body. Fibromyalgia syndrome is often confused with myofascial pain syndrome.  In order to have a true diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, the patient must have eleven or more specific tender points out of Clinical and Case Studies a total of 18, a chronic non-restorative sleep pattern whereby one wakens every ninety minutes, and the symptoms must be present for at least three months.

There is no one thing to do for Fibromyalgia because there are 5 types or five etiologies of FMS:

1.  Spinal Cord Trauma associated with a central disc bulge or herniation in the neck.

2.  Stress Based:  Some patients get Fibromyalgia after a prolonged or severely stressful period.

3.  Toxicity Based:  Some patients get Fibromyalgia after prolonged or severe exposure to organic pesticides or chemicals.

4.  Genetic Based:  Several family members will have FMS, usually females.

5. Immune System Based:  These patients get the flu or a flu-like illness or get immunized and develop FMS symptoms.

Therapeutic Intervention For Fibromyalgia 

• Patient and Family Education

1.  Reassurance that the disease is a real medical entity but is not crippling or life-threatening.

2.  Suggest positive environmental changes.

• Physical Therapy Intervention

1.  Correct biomechanical stresses to the cervical and lumbar spine.

2.  Begin a gradually progressive cardiovascular fitness program to improve the level of muscular fitness and sense of well-being.

3. Exercise programs for muscular stretching and strengthening tailored to the individual.

4. Frequency Specific Microcurrent, an electrical stimulation modality that delivers current in microamperage, utilizes specific protocols that help to decrease fibromyalgia symptoms of pain and fatigue, and improve restorative sleep. Frequency Specific Microcurrent is gentle, non-invasive, and very effective in returning fibromyalgia patients to full activity. 

5. Gentle Manual Therapy to relieve musculo-skeletal restrictions.

•   Lifestyle Considerations

1.  Take an active role in the management of the disease.

2.  Learn the principles of pacing activities.

3.  Remain physically and socially active.

4.  Identify and eliminate stresses or environmental disturbances that may exacerbate sleep disturbance and symptoms.

Clinical and Case Studies Using Frequency Specific Microcurrent with Fibromyalgia Patients

Clinical Study

A clinical study performed by C.R. McMakin, W.M. Gregory, and T.M. Phillips was undertaken to discover the effectiveness of Frequency Specific Microcurrent for patients with fibromyalgia caused by trauma to the neck. This trauma was most often caused by motor vehicle accidents, but can also result from falls, surgery and other trauma. Microamperage current provides physiologic current flow and has been shown to increase ATP production. The researchers hypothesized that microcurrent might be able to restore normal conductivity in the spinal cord, thus relieving central pain and making it possible for patients to recover from fibromyalgia.

Fifty-four patients meeting the criteria for fibromyalgia caused by cervical trauma were treated with Frequency Specific Microcurrent. Patients whose fibromyalgia is associated with cervical trauma describe their pain as aching and burning in the neck, arms, hands, midscapular and paraspinal area, gluteals, legs and feet. Finger-stick blood samples on 6 patients were analyzed to identify objective changes accompanying subjective pain reductions. Forty-nine patients experienced reduction in pain from an average of 7.3/10 down to 1.3/10 with the first treatment. Thirty-one patients recovered from fibromyalgia following an average of 8 treatments. The median time to recovery was 2 months. Interleukin-1 and substance P levels were both reduced and beta-endorphins increased, by statistically significant levels, in the first treatment period. Five patients did not tolerate treatment. The results of this research demonstrate that fibromyalgia following cervical trauma may be treated successfully using microamperage current.

Case Study

A 63-year old female presenting with fibromyalgia of greater than 20 years duration was seen at RiverHill Wellness Center for physical therapy. Medical history included a motor vehicle accident as a teenager, surgery, and a bad flu prior to the worsening of pain seven years before coming to our clinic. Pain was 6/10 in the neck, spine and legs, and was accompanied by headache pain. Greater than 11 of 18 points were painful, a diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia. The patient had interrupted sleep, awaking every ninety minutes without medication.

The patient was treated weekly for 60-minute sessions with Frequency Specific Microcurrent. After the first treatment, the patient had no headaches, and was sleeping for 3 hours at a time. Pain had decreased for several days after the treatment, even with increased activity. After the second treatment, the patient was sleeping for a 6-hour period without interruption, and had increased hip range of motion. The patient continued to increase her activity. After two months of weekly and sometimes bi-monthly treatments, the patient was able to take a strenuous family vacation without having to take strong medication. She had some setbacks when catching colds or the flu, but overall her activity increased, her energy improved, and she began regular exercise. Overall, the patient was seen for seventeen visits over a 6-month period. At the end of this time, she had regained full energy, had returned to all prior activities, had no headaches, and was sleeping for at least 6-hour periods without interruption.