Fibromyalgia: When Pain Persists and No One Understands

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes chronic, widespread pain. It is not "all in your head," nor is it "psychological." It affects the nervous system and alters how the brain interprets pain signals.

There is no single cause yet. However, the main triggers are:

In other words, it is common for a patient to develop fibromyalgia after a significant episode of grief, stress, separation, or an accident.

Pain is the most well-known symptom, but it is far from the only one. The main signs include:

Traditionally, diagnosis considered 18 specific points on the body that, when pressed, caused pain. These points are primarily located in:

Today, doctors use more comprehensive criteria, but these points still assist in identification.

Pain tends to "travel" through the body, but the most common locations are: back, neck, shoulders, and hips. The most frustrating part? Often, test results are normal — which makes the patient doubt themselves.

No. But it can be managed. With medical supervision and lifestyle changes, it is possible to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

❌ Refined sugar ❌ Gluten ❌ Dairy ❌ Ultra-processed foods ❌ Alcohol ❌ Lack of sleep ❌ Constant stress

Avoiding these factors is one of the first steps in treatment.

Therefore, diagnosis requires careful exclusion of other conditions.

It depends on the severity. In severe cases, where symptoms severely limit the ability to work, there may be eligibility for disability retirement or sick pay.

This content is part of Clínica Revitalize's commitment to translating science into accessible clinical practice — without losing rigor or depth.