Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are often confused with one another. Sadly, because of this, many patients fail to find the help they need. As your go-to source of Oklahoma City, OK fibromyalgia relief, we thought of outlining the key features that distinguish CFS from fibromyalgia. Hopefully, by helping you understand the two, you can better plan for your next steps.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a prevalent health concern that triggers extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months. It also sets off additional issues, including:
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Trouble remembering or concentrating
- Muscle pain or tenderness in the neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, thighs, and legs.
- Painful joints without swelling (arthralgia) that can occur either as part of ME/CFS or as an associated symptom
- Headaches – usually on both sides of the head but sometimes only one side; often accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to light
What is Fibromyalgia (FM)?
Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain and tenderness in the muscles. It can result in pain all over the body and make you feel tired even after getting enough sleep.
Several patients note that they wait for a long time to get an accurate diagnosis. That’s mainly because the symptoms mimic other conditions like arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.
You may have fibromyalgia if you have experienced any of these symptoms for at least three months:
- Widespread body aching
- Burning or stabbing sensations in parts of your body
- Tenderness around certain joints, such as elbows or knees (called myofascial trigger points)
Similarities and Differences
One of the reasons why countless patients often get confused between the two is the fairly similar features the conditions have. Some examples include the extreme discomfort they cause and the significant disruptions they can cause to your daily life.
Additionally, both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are chronic conditions that affect middle-aged people. Studies theorize that both disorders might stem from an autoimmune issue. However, there aren’t enough pieces of evidence to fully explain the origin of both problems.
As for their differences, it would help to note that CFS rarely causes pain while fibromyalgia often triggers significant body pain and tenderness. In addition, with fibromyalgia patients’ sensitivity to touch, they bruise like peaches. On the one hand, those with chronic fatigue syndrome barely show or experience any signs of inflammation and swelling.
Diagnosis Process for CFS and Fibromyalgia
Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia can be hard to diagnose because their symptoms can overlap so much. Notably, both health problems cause fatigue – a symptom studies associate with many other health conditions.
The exact cause of CFS and FM is unknown, but it’s thought that they may have something to with environmental and genetic factors. Hence, doctors have to perform several diagnostic procedures, including the following:
- Tracing your medical history
- Physical examination
- Blood tests
- Mental health evaluation
- Urine tests
- MRI and CT scan
Remedies for both CFS and Fibromyalgia
Below are some of the recommended sources of Oklahoma City fibromyalgia relief: a combination of lifestyle changes, treatment courses, and unique health and wellness techniques for patients with these two conditions:
Diet
Make sure to eat healthy foods rich in nutrients. Doing so will help you prevent nutrient deficiencies and keep your energy levels consistent.
Exercise
If you’re tired all the time but still want to be active daily, consider adding some simple and low-impact exercise into your routine. It would also help to speak with your doctor about whether it is safe for you (there could be health issues that would prevent you from exercising). Exercise helps decrease pain caused by muscle tension while increasing blood circulation throughout the body so that more oxygen flows through every cell and tissue—which helps boost energy levels overall.
Physical therapy
This includes stretching, yoga, and Pilates. These can be helpful and effective if you are also taking prescription medication.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Meditation can help relax your mind and body when feeling anxious or irritable. It can give you a better chance to get enough restorative sleep to recover from the pain and damage caused by CFS or fibromyalgia.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic
Chiropractic care focusing on the C1 and C2 bones will help relieve some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. It aims to restore proper function to the spine, which in turn frees up energy for other parts of the body (instead of using it to deal with the postural imbalance or the chronic pain triggered by the misalignment).
It can also keep your muscles from spasming when they become tense from stress or injury—two prevalent risk factors of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Trusted Oklahoma City Fibromyalgia Relief
Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are both highly treatable conditions. Both conditions can benefit from upper cervical chiropractic care, exercise, and nutritional supplements. So whether it is chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, you can receive the help and care you need at Precision Chiropractic – a trusted source of Oklahoma City fibromyalgia relief. Dr. Jennifer Sheppard and her team will do their best to help you regain your life.
Visit us at 10420 Greenbriar Parkway, Oklahoma City. We are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 am to 5 pm, and half-day on Tuesdays from 9 am to 1 pm. You can also book your consultation with Dr. Sheppard online or by telephone at (405) 378-3100.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sheppard, call our Oklahoma City office at 405-378-3100. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
