History of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a common, chronic condition of long standing physical and emotional symptoms. Symptoms range from fatigue, all over muscle and joint pain, depression, anxiety, mood changes, to problems with sleep. There is no known cause for this condition, but current studies are considering many factors such as a virus, family history, and rheumatic disease.

Fibromyalgia is not a new condition. In the 1800’s physicians, wrote about something they called muscular rheumatism. Some in the medical field thought it was a mental disorder. In 1824, a doctor in Edinburgh described what was considered tender points. In 1880, another doctor described the same condition and called it neurasthenia. In 1904, the condition was described as fibrosis. In 1913, another physician claimed fibrosis was the wrong name because there is no inflammation in fibromyalgia.

In 1987, the American Medical Association (AMA) finally recognized fibromyalgia as a real illness and a disability. In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology wrote a set of guidelines to help diagnose this condition. These guidelines have helped a lot of people get a correct diagnosis and the treatment they need.

The first national organization for people with fibromyalgia, the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA), was formed in 1997. The association seeks to educate people about the illness and to help them manage their condition. In 2005, the first guidelines for managing the pain of fibromyalgia were published by the American Pain Society.

Researchers find that eating a well balanced diet, avoiding caffeine, getting more exercise, reducing stress, and getting counseling will help to lessen the severity of the symptoms. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition where the symptoms may improve or worsen for extended periods of time. There is no cure; doctors work with the patient to manage and treat the symptoms.