Fibromyalgia and Stress - the Connection Between the Brain and Body

Copyright (c) 2008 Hailey Harris

A widespread muscoloskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue characterizes Fibromylagia. The exact causes of Fibromyalgia are still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other fibrous tissues in the body.

Women are more prone to develop Fibromyalgia, although men are also afflicted by it. Patients suffering from Fibromyalgia may have one or a combination of all the following symptoms such as chronic pain, insomnia or sleep disorder, hypersensitivity to touch, chronic fatigue, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. Some patients have also reported symptoms such as sensitivity to light, noise, odors, certain foods, and medications. Other symptoms reported are temporomandibular joint dysfunctions, morning stiffness, memory loss, dizziness, and dry eyes and mouth.

Fibromyalgia is often referred to as the invisible illness, as no apparent pathology is present. It is believed that psychosocial factors are responsible for this disease. Fibromyalgia is neither a fatal nor a degenerative disease; however it can affect almost all the aspects of a person's life. The chronic pain associated with the disease is pervasive and persistent and can affect normal social and recreational activity. It has been estimated that about 30% of those affected by this disease are unable to work full time. The United States government recognizes Fibromyalgia as a genuine medical condition and patients can apply for social security disability benefits.

Physicians all over the world consider Fibromyalgia as a functional illness in which the symptoms are real but the medical tests turn out to be normal. Trying to understand Fibromyalgia through the bio-medical model is a futile exercise. Bio-medical model explains the illness as cause and effect and is based on dualism. The bio-medical model considers the mind and body as separate.

The reality is in fact contrary to this belief and most diseases like Fibromyalgia need to be understood through the bio-psychosocial-spiritual model. It is now well accepted that Fibromyalgia needs to be addressed after addressing, understanding, and accepting the inter-dependence of the mind, body and the spirit. Factors such as genetics, environment and the influence of the conscious and unconscious mind also play an important role in patients developing Fibromyalgia.

The root causes of Fibromyalgia are not in the head but in the mind and body. The brain is connected to the body by the spinal cord through the autonomic nervous system. Small protein molecules in the neuropeptide messenger system circulate in the body and carry messages back and forth between the body and the brain and vice versa. Hence, we need to look at the mind and the body to really understand Fibromyalgia and not through the bio-medical model. There is a direct relationship between stress and the symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

Stress is the perception of psychological or physical threat and the perception of being unable to deal with it. Two important things about stress need to be kept in mind. First, stress can occur at the unconscious level and the individual may be unaware that he or she is under stress from a cognitive perspective. Second, stress is always perceptual. Certain individuals may find a situation extremely stressful while others may not be affected by it.

Although there are a number of factors that are responsible for Fibromyalgia, one common factor in all patients suffering from Fibromyalgia is 'STRESS'. Another factor commonly associated with Fibromyalgia is sleep disorder or insomnia. It is still not clear whether these two factors cause Fibromyalgia or vice versa.

It is important that all concerned understand and accept connection between the mind and the body. Treatment and healing are two different processes. Treatment involves the application of something external and something given orally or intravenously, but healing happens from within. Patients should be encouraged to use their own power to heal themselves. It is a fact that Neuropeptides can be switched off and on through relaxation, exercise, diet, sleep, belief, and medication.

A change in lifestyle, improved eating habits, regular exercise, sleep and medication such as anti-depressants taken under medical supervision are beneficial for managing Fibromyalgia.