We do recognize that genetics play a role. For example, patients with fibromyalgia may have other associated or co-existing conditions in the same family. Depression and other types of mood disturbances may occur in the same setting as fibromyalgia. That may be due to the co-occurrence of certain neurochemical changes that have been identified in fibromyalgia, which also occur in those particular psychological problems. The first option for treatment of fibromyalgia should be a physical therapy approach.
Exercise is encouraged.
Often times patients with fibromyalgia are relatively sedentary. What we try to do is encourage increasing their range of motion and increasing aerobic exercise during the course of the day. Many times that alone doesn't take care of the whole problem. We then like to identify whether there's a sleep disturbance associated and any other co-occurrences we can specifically address. If there's a sleep disturbance, we might target therapy, and then later improving sleep.