Fibromyalgia Specialist in NYC
Maiden Lane Medical
Multi-Specialty Group Practice located New York, NY
Widespread pain, fatigue, and mood issues might indicate you have fibromyalgia. This chronic musculoskeletal condition can interfere with your ability to do your daily activities or feel at ease in your body.
To find relief today, contact Maiden Lane Medical to book an appointment with our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist at their Midtown location in New York City. Using a broad range of treatment methods, the multidisciplinary team of physicians can help you manage your symptoms and ease your pain.
To schedule a consultation, book an appointment by phone or use the easy online scheduling system.
PAULINA T.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a medical condition characterized by chronic, widespread pain throughout the body. Many people have dull aches and pains in the muscles and joints, difficulty moving around without discomfort, fatigue, and mood issues.
There is no definitive test to detect fibromyalgia. However, research suggests that it is somehow linked to the nervous system, and it often starts in middle adulthood.
What Are The Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia symptoms may mimic the effects of other chronic conditions, making it more challenging to diagnose. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Widespread pain throughout the body
- Sensitivity to touch
- Tenderness in the muscles
- Sleep issues
- Extreme fatigue
- Migraines or chronic headaches
Fibromyalgia patients might also experience depression, anxiety, digestive problems, pelvic pain, or temporomandibular disorder (TMJ).
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unclear. However, some studies suggest it’s linked to problems in the central nervous system, which involves the brain and spinal cord.
Fibromyalgia may have a genetic component, and there is usually a trigger event that causes the first bout of symptoms, such as arthritis, injury, or a period of extreme stress.
The trigger affects the way your peripheral nervous system communicates with your brain. The condition often coexists with other health problems. While extremely painful, fibromyalgia does not pose serious health problems or risks.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia can be challenging to diagnose as there isn’t a specific test for this painful condition. Historically, doctors have looked for pain or tenderness in a certain number of locations throughout the body.
Your physician may also order lab tests or imaging studies to rule out other diseases that cause similar symptoms. For example, hypothyroidism can cause similar symptoms. Additionally, many people think they have rheumatoid arthritis or lupus before they receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Have more questions?
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Is Fibromyalgia An Autoimmune Or Neurological Disorder?
Fibromyalgia isn’t an autoimmune disease, and it isn’t an inflammation-based condition. While medical researchers are still working to understand this potentially debilitating condition, we believe it affects the nervous system.
For example, triggers such as stress, traumatic injury, or osteoarthritis can affect how your body sends, or your brain interprets pain signals.
Fibromyalgia Treatment in NYC?
At Maiden Lane Medical, our team focuses on non-narcotic approaches to pain management. While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, there are many ways to address symptoms and treat coexisting health problems.
Some of the standard treatment methods for fibromyalgia include:
- Medication: Natural and over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce inflammation, antidepressants to combat fatigue, or other drugs to relieve specific symptoms
- Therapy: physical or occupational therapy to address specific symptoms and reduce stress on the body
- Lifestyle changes: dietary adjustments, stress reduction, and improvement in your sleep habits
- Acupuncture: Studies have shown that acupuncture may help the symptoms.
In general, you might find that making healthy lifestyle choices to enhance your overall wellness makes it easier to cope with your symptoms.
For example, getting plenty of sleep, eating a nutritious and balanced diet, and getting exercise can significantly affect your health and your ability to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms.
Depending on your symptoms, your care may include a variety of different treatment methods. Often, the best outcomes for this condition involve a multidisciplinary approach.
The ultimate goal is to help you maintain functional movement, ease discomfort in your body, and achieve a pain-free life.
Have more questions?
Chat with us online! Use our webchat in the lower right hand of your screen
Why Is Fibromyalgia So Challenging To Treat?
Every patient has a unique experience with fibromyalgia. The symptoms are also highly variable. You might have different symptoms from day to day, and the severity can range from mild to severe.
As a result of the variable nature of the condition, your needs can also change. Therefore, your doctor must work with you to create a treatment program that you can adapt to meet your needs.
What Other Conditions Have Similar Symptoms?
Several conditions can cause symptoms similar to fibromyalgia.
Hypothyroid (underactive) thyroid disorder can cause widespread pain and sensitivity to cold, dry skin, and constipation. Other metabolic disorders, vitamin B12 deficiencies, and adult growth hormone deficiencies can also cause similar symptoms.
Rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, and Lyme disease cause widespread joint pain. In addition, osteoarthritis, myofascial pain syndrome, and multiple sclerosis can also cause pain, fatigue, and other common fibromyalgia symptoms.
Is Fibromyalgia Classified As A Disability?
Fibromyalgia is painful and can severely interfere with your ability to function in your day-to-day life and maintain an acceptable quality of life and is sometimes an approved cause of disability.
However, it can be challenging to get approval, as there isn’t a straightforward diagnostic test for the condition, and the symptoms are so variable.
It would be best if you kept all of your medical records and lab test results. You can also ask your physicians, family, coworkers, and friends to write statements about how they have seen the condition impact your health and quality of life.
Discover Effective Solutions for Treating Fibromyalgia and Relieving Chronic Pain at Maiden Lane Medical!
If you’re concerned about chronic pain and think you may have fibromyalgia, schedule a personalized consultation today with a fibromyalgia doctor at Maiden Lane Medical. Take control of your health and embark on a journey to treat fibromyalgia effectively!
Jennifer Zocca, MD
Medical Director and Pain Management Physician
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