Fibromyalgia Treatment
Understanding Widespread Pain Through the Nervous System
Fibromyalgia is often described as widespread pain, but for many people it is much more than that. Fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog, headaches, muscle stiffness, sensitivity to touch, and feeling like you ‘hurt everywhere’ can have a profound impact on daily life.
Dr. Richard Nahas approaches fibromyalgia differently. Rather than viewing it as a single diagnosis or syndrome, he evaluates each person to identify the unique factors that led to their illness. He seeks to identify specific issues that may be creating changes in your nervous system, and how they may be amplifying pain and preventing the body from returning to a normal healing state.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and increased sensitivity to pain. While the exact cause remains unknown, research suggests that the nervous system becomes overly sensitive, causing normal sensations to be perceived as painful. This process is known as central sensitization, and also affects fascia and connective tissue, mood and sleep, hormones and the immune system.
Why Does Fibromyalgia Cause So Much Pain?
For many people, fibromyalgia develops gradually over many years, after a series of stressors that can include physical injury, repetitive strain, surgery, infection, illness, or emotional stress. Over time, the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves become increasingly sensitive, amplifying pain signals throughout the body.
Instead of asking only ‘Where does it hurt?’, Dr. Nahas asks ‘Why has the nervous system become so sensitive?’
Symptoms We Evaluate
- Widespread muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Poor sleep
- Morning stiffness
- Headaches
- Neck and back pain
- Sensitivity to touch
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Irritable bowel symptoms
- Pain that seems to move throughout the body
A Personalized Evaluation
Every patient receives a comprehensive consultation. Dr. Nahas reviews your medical history, previous injuries, surgeries, stressors, movement patterns, and completes a Personalized BodyMap Assessment to identify factors contributing to persistent nervous system sensitization.
Treatment Options
Treatment is tailored to each patient’s unique symptoms and examination findings.
- IV Lidocaine to calm central sensitization
- Neural Therapy
- Hydrodissection when nerve entrapment is identified
- Guided stretching and movement strategies
- Scar treatment when appropriate
- Regenerative medicine procedures in select patients
Why IV Lidocaine Plays an Important Role
Many people with fibromyalgia describe feeling as though their entire nervous system is ‘turned up.’ Dr. Nahas has administered thousands of IV lidocaine infusions over the past two decades and has found them particularly valuable for patients with widespread pain and central sensitization. The goal is not simply pain relief, but helping reset an overactive nervous system and giving patients more good days.
How Neural Therapy May Help
Some patients with fibromyalgia also have localized areas of nerve irritation from previous injuries, surgeries, or scars. Neural Therapy may be used to address these specific areas while IV lidocaine addresses the nervous system more broadly.
Why Dr. Nahas Takes a Different Approach
Dr. Nahas believes that fibromyalgia is best understood through the lens of nervous system dysfunction rather than simply widespread muscle pain. His Blockage-Based Care approach looks for factors that may be perpetuating central sensitization and develops a personalized plan aimed at improving function, reducing pain, and restoring quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fibromyalgia 'all in my head'?
Absolutely not. Fibromyalgia is a recognized medical condition involving abnormal pain processing within the nervous system.
Will IV lidocaine cure fibromyalgia?
No single treatment cures fibromyalgia. IV lidocaine is one tool that may help reduce central sensitization and improve quality of life.
Can Neural Therapy and IV lidocaine be used together?
Yes. Many patients benefit from combining treatments as part of a personalized care plan.
Do I need a diagnosis before scheduling?
No. If you have widespread chronic pain and suspect fibromyalgia, Dr. Nahas can evaluate your symptoms during your consultation.
Schedule a Consultation
Living with fibromyalgia can be overwhelming, especially when previous treatments have provided little relief. A comprehensive evaluation with Dr. Richard Nahas can help determine whether nervous system dysfunction is contributing to your symptoms and identify a personalized treatment plan designed specifically for you.
Related Conditions
- IV Lidocaine
- Neural Therapy
- Hydrodissection
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
- BodyMap Assessment