|
Fibromyalgia Tender
Points
Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be a daunting task. In many cases,
doctors put their emphasis on ruling out other illnesses first
and foremost. However, many doctors today have begun focusing
on 18 fibromyalgia tender points to confirm their diagnosis. To
be very precise, the final diagnosis is made by analyzing these
18 fibromyalgia tender points without any exception. Contrary
to other invasive testing procedures, examining fibromyalgia
tender points is comparatively easy and less time
consuming.
Tender points can be identified as some local skeletal spots
that when compressed by doctors give an extreme sense of pain
sensation. At the time of diagnosis, doctors compress these 18
fibromyalgia tender points in order to confirm the occurrence
of the disease. In order to be diagnosed, an individual must
experience 11 out of 18 tender points. The sensation of pain
must be widespread with duration of at least three months.
The Difference with Trigger Points
During your diagnosis of fibromyalgia tender points, you may
have frequently heard of fibromyalgia trigger points.
Fibromyalgia tender points and trigger points are not same. The
major difference between fibromyalgia tender points and trigger
points is that trigger points are not static like tender
points, rather they are floating and can be found anywhere in
the body. They do not have any fixed location similar to the
tender points. In addition, trigger points may cause pain in
some other areas of the body.
The Critical Aspect of Diagnosis
At the time of diagnosing the symptoms of fibromyalgia tender
points, doctors extensively ask about medical history along
with comprehensive examination. Since the symptoms of
fibromyalgia are quite similar to some other illnesses,
sometimes it turns out a really difficult task to diagnose
fibromyalgia separately. In such cases, doctors may ask for a
blood test or MRI. Technically the diagnosis is done by an
experienced rheumatologist who creates point pressure on
fibromyalgia tender points to confirm the condition.
The Criterion of Diagnosis
As explained in the statement criteria of American College of
Rheumatology, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is confirmed if the
patients show widespread pain in at least 11 out of 18
fibromyalgia tender points with the duration of three months.
The pain must be found in both of the sides of the body and
both above and low parts of the body. Lower back, cervical
spine, anterior chest and thoracic spine are the mostly focused
zones. Each of these 18 fibromyalgia tender points needs to be
examined in order to rule out the possibility of other
illnesses.
|