Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that can be debilitating for many, and affects an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. Fibromyalgia sufferers can experience a wide range of symptoms with varying intensities and may include:

Fatigue
Memory impairment
Wise spread musculoskeletal aches
Soft tissue tenderness
Pain and stiffness
Irritable bowel and bladder
Headaches and migraines
Anxiety
Pelvic pain
Memory impairment and concentration
Skin sensitivities and rashes
Dry eyes and mouth
Toxicity
Digestive issues
Hormone imbalances
Poor circulation
Reduced immunity

Fibro-Fog (confusion)
Insomnia
Weight gain
Depression
Dizziness
Vision Problems
Impaired Coordination
Nutrient deficiencies
Yeast infections
Poor (brain) cognition
Inflammation
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Restless Leg Syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder)
Raynaud's Syndrome (freezing hands/feet)
Neurological symptoms (muscle weakness, numbness)

18 Points of Tenderness

Painful tender points are located at various places on your body and are a common characteristic of fibromyalgia syndrome leading to a diagnosis. Your health care provider will ask about your pain symptoms and then press on a series of anatomically-defined soft tissue body sites called "tender points." Eleven of the 18 tender point sites must be painful when pressed in order to receive a medical diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

While any body part can be affected, the most common sites of pain include:

Neck and Back
Shoulders and Chest
Hips and Knees
Hands and Elbow Regions
Buttocks and Pelvic Girdle

Tender points are generally superficial areas under the surface of the skin, such as the area over the elbows or shoulders. However, the tender points of these areas are usually very small, about the size of a penny. Tender points also involve localized areas of tenderness and pain around the joints, but do not involve the joint itself.

These 18 tender points will usually be highly sensitive to pressure in people with fibromyalgia as specified by the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The pain can feel like a deep bone ache, pins and needles, or a stabbing or burning pain. Muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. There are times this pain is mild, others when it is so severe that it becomes unbearable. People who do not have fibromyalgia feel less tenderness when pressure is applied to these areas.

Symptom and Supplement Chart

The chart below includes a list of symptoms along with natural dietary supplements that can help provide relief for a variety of symptoms associated with this condition. Even if you have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, yet suffer from any of the symptoms below, you may benefit from one or more of the products listed.

Need help choosing which products are right for you? We have a nutritionist on staff to help you. See our Contact Us page to contact our nutritionist by telephone, email, or our message board.

Fibromyalgia Symptom and Supplement Reference Chart