Throughout modern medical history, fibromyalgia has been seen as a unique pain disorder of the musculoskeletal system, a disorder of abnormal sleep processing, a centralized disorder of pain processing, and a psychosomatic illness. Now researchers are proposing possibly one of a few genetically similar central pain syndromes—high impact chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions or overlapping pain syndromes. Over the past 5 to 10 years there has been much focus and research on the fibromyalgia syndrome. Diagnosis is much better understood now than ever before, allowing for research into best outcomes in treatment and a new understanding of the role of pharmaceutical therapeutics. This presentation will focus on what frontline clinicians need to know about the current understanding of fibromyalgia pathophysiology, criteria to making the correct diagnosis, and evidence-based recommendations for pharmacological and nonpharmacological options for treatment.
Learning Objectives:
Verbalize what is currently known about the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia
Prioritize the use of pharmacological management, through identification of risks, benefits, and side effects
Identify evidenced based, non-pharmacological strategies for management
.jpg "Tracey Mallick-Searle, MS, RN-BC, ANP-BC photo")