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Fibromyalgia comes from the Latin term for fibrous tissue (fibro), and the Greek terms for muscle (myo) and pain (algia). It is a chronic disorder that causes significant pain in the joints, muscles, or tissues. The cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, and there is no cure for it yet. 

Doctors speculate that traumatic events may give rise to fibromyalgia as there is new evidence linking PTSD with the chronic pain disorder. They also think that genetics may be a contributing factor as they have identified several genes commonly found in fibromyalgia patients that cause them to react strongly to pain stimuli.

An estimated 5 million Americans over the age of 18 suffers from fibromyalgia presently. Although up to 90% of them are women, men and children are also susceptible to the disorder. Patients with rheumatic diseases are also more likely to have fibromyalgia too. 

It is often misdiagnosed as symptoms tend to be subjective and overlap with other conditions. However the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has established criteria for diagnosis: widespread pain lasting more than three months, and general physical symptoms like fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and cognitive problems. Doctors also need to identify 11 out of 18 specific sites on the body where pressure-associated pain has occurred in the past week. Fibromyalgia may also cause depression, insomnia, and inability to focus from having to cope with constant pain. 

Analgesics, Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), or a change in lifestyle, exercise and diet are some ways to treat fibromyalgia. As prescription drugs tend to reduce pain instead of completely eliminating it, patients are often left struggling with unsatisfactory pain management and risk potential opioid abuse as a result. 

Many patients have found more medical cannabis to be more effective in relieving pain. In an online survey done by the National Pain Foundation, marijuana outperformed commonly prescribed drugs like Cymbalta and Lyrica. The THC in cannabis is a strong analgesic and reduces the hypersensitivity to pain and the CBD activates CB2 receptors in the body to reduce inflammation and also helps to lower THC’s psychoactive effects.