Laser Therapy: Laser Therapy in the Management of Fibromyalgia
by William J. Kneebone, RN, DC
Low Level Laser Therapy in fibromyalgia (FM) treatment offers healthcare
professionals another option of care for this patient group. It has been shown to be
effective in alleviating FM pain in several studies and the author gives precise
information about the procedure in the following article. Low Level Laser therapy together
with other modalities including medications suggests another positive multidisciplinary
approach to FM treatment.
— Rae Marie Gleason
Fibromyalgia Department Editor
 Fibromyalgia is a
mysterious and elusive rheumatic disease causing a wide variety of symptoms that vary
greatly from patient to patient. Wide-spread, deep burning pain is perhaps the most
frequent symptom. Fibromyalgia pain occurs more commonly in the trunk, low back, hips, and
shoulders. It is rare in the hands and feet. Onset is usually gradual and can interfere
with even simple daily activities.
Additional symptoms associated with fibromyalgia include fatigue, sleep disturbances,
morning stiffness, headaches, irritable bowel-like symptoms, memory problems, anxiety and
depression. Fibromyalgia can present with flu-like symptoms such as body aches, fatigue
and digestive changes. Joint and muscle pain may increase at night, waking the patient
from sleep as well as morning stiffness and soreness. Symptoms tend to be episodic and can
last from days to months or years.1
Researchers estimate that approximately 5 million Americans age 18 or older are
afflicted with fibromyalgia syndrome. Eighty to ninety percent of those are female,
although children and men can be also be affected. Most people are diagnosed during
midlife. People with certain rheumatic diseases—such as rheumatoid arthritis,
systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly called lupus), or ankylosing spondylitis (spinal
arthritis)—may be more likely to have fibromyalgia.
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown but is probably multifactorial. Many people
associate the development of symptoms with an unusually stressful or traumatic event such
as an auto accident. It is also thought that a malfunction of how the brain and nervous
system process pain may be involved.
Please refer to the March 2010 issue for the complete text. In the event you need to order a back issue, please click here.
— March 2010
The full article is now available as a PDF and may be
purchased for $5 and downloaded immediately:
|