Most of the time sciatic pain and fibromyalgia both are seen in same patient but both of them require different treatments. Fibromyalgia is mainly characterized by severe widespread pain. People suffering from fibromyalgia often report symptoms of other co morbid diseases.
So we need to address those diseases as well besides fibromyalgia. Sciatica is one of those diseases that co exist with fibromyalgia. It’s not necessary that one condition is the cause of other conditions. Sometimes two conditions may exist independently. People suffering from fibromyalgia need to know what sciatica pain is all about.
Sciatica pain
People suffering from sciatica pain may also suffer from piriformis syndrome. It is a condition which occurs when sciatic nerve in buttocks is irritated by piriformis muscle. People suffering from sciatica pain often presents with pain around buttocks, hips and down the legs, doctors need to investigate properly what’s really going on with them.
Some others symptoms seen in sciatica pain includes numbness, weakness, tingling and burning. Most people with sciatica pain presents with severe pain that starts from one side of the buttock and travels down the back of the leg. In sciatica there is pain along the sciatic nerve. In some people all these symptoms along with pain can extend down to the toes, while for others they are limited to higher portions.
Doctors may not find the exact reason for this pain in fibromyalgia sufferers. The pain of sciatica is very different from the pain of fibromyalgia. Sciatica is a pain that radiates along the distribution of the sciatic nerve of the lower extremity. Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by tender points in the soft tissues, mainly in the upper back and neck.
Management
Physical therapy does wonders in sciatica pain. Try to include foods in your diet that contain natural anti-inflammatory components. Massage therapy and acupuncture are effective treatments in sciatica pain. If you are suffering from sciatica pain the avoid activities like bending on the floor and leaning down to clean the stuff.
Surgery is need when disc slip is diagnosed on physical examination. These treatment options may not work for fibromyalgia sufferers whose reason behind the pain is not known. So for those there is no other option than natural pain control methods like massage and acupuncture etc. Biofeedback for pain relief and Boswelia (anti-inflammatory supplement that is a natural cox-2 inhibitor) is also recommended.
Any trauma or accident can activate the trigger points around the buttocks, the activation of these triggers points can lead to sciatica pain. Trigger points are not uncommon due to everyday activities like sitting, bending etc. Fibromyalgia sufferers are very sensitive injections, so injection in areas around buttocks can also activate their trigger points and in turn lead to sciatica pain.
Lifestyle modification is an important step in dealing with sciatica pain. If you suffer from sciatica pain after prolong sitting then prefer standing and walk for some time. It may also help to stick to a weekly fitness routine that includes low to medium impact cardio workouts, energy healing, and strength training specific to fibro people.
Consistency is the main key point in fibromyalgia treatment. One who is consistent can better bear with the ups and downs of fibromyalgia. Seek medical attention immediately and look for a doctor who is familiar with fibromyalgia and sciatica pain, if you have severe pain around buttocks and hips more than often. May be you get to know that this pain is due to disc slip that has nothing to do with fibromyalgia.
A specialist while treating may diagnose a different cause and relieves your pain and overall discomfort. When experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers, professionals may not find any physical reason for the pain. The symptoms are the same, but the most common causes don’t seem to be responsible for the pain.
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Reference:
- Fibromyalgia and Sciatica Pain – Can one affect the other? Living Smarter with Fibromyalgia
- Sciatica Pain Vs. Fibromyalgia Pain: What Are The Differences? by Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR via MedicineNet