Fibromyalgia is a a wide spread muscle problem that causes pain and spasm in various parts of the body. There are 13-14 trigger points in the body where activation in one of these points may cause spreading of the spasm and pain to other trigger points. The back and the medial part of the scapula are the most commonly effected parts of the body.

Pain is variable; it may cause little muscle spam to severe pain interfering with even night sleep. In severe cases, nodular lesions that can be palpated is typical and they are usually painful. Fibromyalgia nodules may be larger in the lower back portion and can reach to a size of lemon. Indeed, these lesions are not tumorous conditions but they are formed by the contraction of the muscle itself. So that, even a big lesion is defined on physical examination, MRI will not reveal any pathological finding.

There is no absolute cause of fibromyalgia but there may be some underlying precipitating factors. Among them sudden forcing of the muscles during sport, exposing to cold air after sweating may be named. The psychologic condition may be in close relation with fibromyalgia. The menstruation period in women and stressful working conditions may increase the symptoms of fibromyalgia. There is no evaluation test for fibromyalgia. X-rays, MRI and blood tests are normal, so the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can only be made by patient history and physical examination.

Since fibromyalgia is a kind of muscle spasm, muscle relaxants and pain killers have a important role in treatment. Warm application and mild massage may be beneficial to relieve the spasm. In resistant cases, anti-depressant medication will be useful. Physical therapy and steroid injection to trigger points may relieve the symptoms in difficult cases.