National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association

What is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (fy-bro-my-AL-ja)

is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness to touch that may occur body wide...

What is Fibromyalgia?

FM & Chronic Pain Community

FM & Chronic Pain Empowerment, Encouragement and Education

A place for patients, caregivers, friends and loved ones of a person with FM or chronic pain to find helpful information.

FM & Chronic Pain Community

Together Walks

Join Us for May 12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2016 & make a difference!

Raise funding for research into integrative treatments and make FM visible! Join us at a live or virtual event.

Together Walks

Faces of Courage

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Faces of Courage

Faces of Courage shows that FM and chronic pain affects people of all ages, and to help them know that they are not alone!

Faces of Courage

Donate to NFMCPA

Help us put the pieces of the fibromyalgia puzzle together

NFMCPA is a 501 c 3 nonprofit, charitable organization and donations are tax deductible.

Donate to the NFMCPA

NFMCPA Magazine

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain LIFE- a free online magazine emailed to registered users.

NFMCPA Magazine

Advocate Voice Newsletter

The Advocate Newsletter- a free monthly publication emailed to registered users.

"FREE" Newsletter

Our Mission

The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association unites patients, policy makers, and healthcare, medical and scientific communities to transform lives through visionary support, advocacy, research and education of fibromyalgia and chronic pain illnesses.

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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 14

How does trauma cause fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) often occurs following a physical trauma (especially involving the trunk), an acute illness (i.e. hepatitis C, Epstein-Barr virus, Lyme disease) or injury, which may act as a “trigger” in the development of the disorder. Other triggers include psychological stressors such as early.
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 14

How can fibromyalgia be cured?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can be successfully managed but, at this time, there is no known cure. Multi-disciplinary approaches for management and relief of symptoms are often recommended. Medications, cognitive behavioral therapies and gentle exercise are the most common combinations.
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 14

How can fibromyalgia affect my sleep?

Most people with fibromyalgia (FM) have an associated sleep disorder that prevents them from achieving deep, restful, restorative sleep. Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities in the Stage 4 deep sleep of people with fibromyalgia. During sleep, individuals with...
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 14

What is the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA)?

The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It works to support people who have chronic pain illnesses and their families and friends by contributing to caring, professional and community relationships. Through continuing education, networki
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 14

What is the purpose of pain?

Pain is a universal experience that serves the vital function of triggering avoidance. The pain sensation is a necessary part of being human. Pain sensation is a fact of life. Even the primitive amoeba takes avoiding action in the face of adverse events. In such primitive life-forms, pain avoidance
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 06

What can I do if I find that certain activities aggravate my fibromyalgia?

Most people with fibromyalgia (FM) quickly learn there are certain things they do on a daily basis that seem to make their pain problem worse. These actions usually involve the repetitive use of muscles or prolonged tensing of a muscle, such as the muscles of the upper back while looking at a comput
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 06

What influences our experience of pain?

It is a common misconception to view the nervous system as being "hard-wired;" that is, stimulation of a nerve ending (say a needle prick) always produces the same behavioral and affective response. This concept implies that the same intensity of pain stimulus will always elicit the same d
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 06

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that causes bodywide -- head to toe -- pain and tenderness to touch. Along with other symptoms, pain and tenderness wax and wane over time. Fibromyalgia affects people physically, cognitively, and socially. Approximately 10 million Amer
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 02

Why are people with fibromyalgia more sensitive to pain than other people?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain state where changes in the way the brain recognizes pain signals that travel through the spinal cord cause an enhancement in pain recognition. Pain experienced in the muscles (correct spelling: muscles) may actually be the end result of the brain's interpretation.
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 02

Are there alternative treatments for fibromyalgia?

Complementary therapies can be very beneficial for people with fibromyalgia (FM). These include: physical therapy, therapeutic massage, myofascial release therapy, water therapy, light aerobics, acupressure, application of heat or cold, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation exercises, breathing techniques,.
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 02

What is pain?

The International Association For the Study of Pain (ASP) defines pain as follows: "Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage." This definition explicitly affirms that pain has both a senso
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 02

What contributes to the way people experience pain emotionally?

The emotional component of pain is multifactorial and includes past experiences, genetic factors, general states of health, the presence of depression and other psychological diagnosis, coping mechanisms and beliefs and fears surrounding the pain diagnosis. Importantly, thoughts as well as other sen
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jun 02

How do people with fibromyalgia experience pain?

The pain of fibromyalgia (FM) is profound, chronic and widespread. It can migrate to all parts of the body and vary in intensity. FM pain has been described as stabbing and shooting pain, with deep muscular aching, throbbing and twitching. Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling and burni
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On May 23

How do I manage my fibromyalgia pain?

A number of pharmacologic treatments are available to treat fibromyalgia symptoms including three FDA-approved medications: pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella). Additionally, healthcare providers may treat people's FM symptoms with non-narcotic pain relievers (e.g.,
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On May 23

What are the ACR criteria for fibromyalgia?

In 1990 the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) published diagnostic research criteria for fibromyalgia. It included a history of chronic and widespread body pain and the presence of at least 11 of 18 tender points that are revealed through a physical examination of the affected person. Pain is..
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association

What is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (fy-bro-my-AL-ja)

FM & Chronic Pain Community

FM & Chronic Pain Empowerment, Encouragement and Education

Together Walks

Join Us for May 12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2016 & make a difference!

Faces of Courage

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Faces of Courage

Donate to NFMCPA

Help us put the pieces of the fibromyalgia puzzle together

Our Mission

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