The History of Fibromylgia

Although the term “fibromyalgia” was not coined until 1976, people throughout history have reported illnesses with strikingly similar symptoms. These reports can even be found as far back as the Old Testament. In fact, many believe that Job suffered from what is now known as fibromyalgia. He would have months of infertility, and long weary nights of misery. When he would go to bed, he would feel as if someone were gnawing at his bones. Needless to say, Job didn't get much rest. His symptoms are very similar to those with fibromyalgia.

In 1800, fibromyalgia was first described by doctors. They called it muscular rheumatism. Then, in 1824, a doctor in Edinburgh described the “tender points” associated with the illness. In 1880, the condition was then named neurasthenia.
An article, published in 1904, referred to it as fibrositis. In 1913, a physician named Luff noted that fibromyalgia symptoms changed as barometric pressure lowered as a storm approached. Finally in 1976, the term fibromyalgia replaced the term fibrositis. This recognized that the condition was not caused by inflammation. In 1987, fibromyalgia was recognized by the American Medical Association as an illness and cause of disability. In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology established guidelines for diagnosing fibromyalgia.

Having fibromyalgia can be frustrating because it is hard to diagnose and is often misunderstood. Fibromyalgia is widespread pain in the muscles and soft tissues above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome. This means it has a set of symptoms that happen together but do not have a known cause. In this syndrome, the nervous system including the nerves, spinal cord, and brain, is not able to control what it feels. Because of this, ordinary feelings from your muscles, joints, and soft tissues are experienced as pain. People with fibromyalgia feel pain and/or tenderness even when there is no injury or inflammation.