Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is pronounced "fie-bro-my-al-jia sind-rome." The word fibromyalgia is a combination of the Latin roots "fibro" (connective tissue fibers), "my" (muscle), "al" (pain), and "gia" (condition of). The word syndrome simply means a group of signs and symptoms that occur together which characterize a particular abnormality.

For many years the medical profession called FMS many different names, including chronic rheumatism, myalgia, pressure point syndrome, and fibrositis. It is important to understand that FMS is not a catch-all, "wastebasket" diagnosis." FMS is a specific, chronic non-degenerative, non-progressive, non-inflammatory, truly systemic pain condition- a true syndrome.

The Copenhagen Declaration defines FMS as a painful, but not articular (not present in the joints), condition predominantly involving muscles, and as the most common cause of chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain. Other symptoms include: the presence of unexplained widespread pain or aching, persistent fatigue, generalized morning stiffness, non-refreshing sleep, and multiple tender points. Most patients with these symptoms have 11 or more tender points.

In addition, the Copenhagen Declaration states that fibromyalgia syndrome is "part of a wider syndrome encompassing headaches, irritable bladder, dysmenorrhea, cold sensitivity, Raynaud¼s phenomenon, restless legs, atypical patterns of numbness and tingling, exercise intolerance and complaints of weakness."

Over the last few years, we have been treating patients with fibromyalgia. Seventy percent of the patients have experienced benefit. No serious side effects have been encountered.

The properties of our regime contributing to benefit included free-radical scavenging, analgesia, anti-inflammation, softening of scar tissue, reduction of muscle spasm, and stimulation of healing.

If you have any interest, feel free to contact us for published information and answers to your questions.

Sincerely,

Stanley W. Jacob, MD, F.A.C.S.
Gerlinger Professor, Department of Surgery