Chronic pain is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. There are many causes of chronic pain. Among these causes, chronic pain syndrome and fibromyalgia are frequently discussed and are often confused due to their overlapping symptoms. Although they both share some common characteristics, they are distinct conditions with different causes, diagnostic criteria, and treatment options.
In this blog, we are going to learn about chronic pain syndrome vs fibromyalgia, including their key differences and similarities.
What Is Chronic Pain Syndrome (CPS)?
Chronic Pain syndrome (CPS) is characterised by a persistent pain that lasts for months or years even after the initial injury or condition that caused the pain has healed. This chronic pain leads to additional symptoms like emotional and mental issues which affects the normal daily functioning.
Common Symptoms:
Chronic pain syndrome can affect your physical as well as emotional and mental health. Along with pain that can vary in intensity and character (eg aching, burning, throbbing), it can have other symptoms like;
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances
- Cognitive impairment or brain fog
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Joint stiffness
- Irritability
- Social issues like isolation
Causes:
Chronic pain syndrome can have a wide range of causes. Some of them are;
- Injury or Trauma
- Neuropathy
- Arthritis and other joint diseases
- Degenerative diseases
- Headaches
- Backaches
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Fractured bones
- Cancer
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system and causes widespread pain and tenderness. It significantly affects daily functioning and causes physical as well as emotional problems.
According to the National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases “Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping’’.
Common Symptoms:
Along with chronic widespread pain, fibromyalgia can have other symptoms like;
- Muscle stiffness
- Fatigue
- Joint aches
- Specific points in the body that are highly sensitive to touch
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Cognitive issues (fibro fog)
- Anxiety
- Depression
Causes:
According to the NHS, the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but there are many factors that are likely to be involved.
- Abnormal pain processing in brain and nervous system
- Genetics
- Triggers like injury, infection, stress, and emotional trauma
Similarities Between Chronic Pain Syndrome And Fibromyalgia:
Chronic pain:
Both CPS and fibromyalgia involves ongoing pain that lasts for a long period of time, typically more than 3 months.
Fatigue:
Both of these conditions come with fatigue that does not get any better with rest.
Sleep disturbances:
People suffering from these conditions frequently experience sleep issues, like difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep.
Psychological impact:
Both of these conditions cause emotional disturbances like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Pain sensitivity:
People suffering from these conditions have heightened pain sensitivity.
Treatment options:
Treatment of both these conditions involve a multidisciplinary approach. It includes medication, physical therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and lifestyle changes.
Differences Between Chronic Pain Syndrome And Fibromyalgia:
Pain Pattern:
In chronic pain syndrome, the pain can be localised (eg back pain and arthritis) or generalised, while in fibromyalgia the pain is widespread.
Pain Sensitivity:
Pain in chronic pain syndrome might arise from nerve injury or damage, while in fibromyalgia there is amplification of normal pain signals due to abnormal central nervous system processing.
Tender Points:
In chronic pain syndrome the tenderness is localised based on the condition or injury, while in fibromyalgia there are specific tender points across the body (eg neck, shoulders).
Fatigue And Cognitive Issues:
In CPS fatigue is not always severe and cognitive issues are not defining features, while in fibromyalgia fatigue is profound and cognitive issues are a hallmark.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of chronic pain syndrome is based on duration of symptoms and ruling out other conditions. In case of fibromyalgia diagnosis is made through a specific criteria, including widespread pain and tender points.
Focus Of Treatment:
Treatment of CPS focuses on treating the underlying cause of pain and psychological support, while treatment focus of fibromyalgia is symptom management including pain relief, exercise and sleep improvement.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you are dealing with chronic pain syndrome or fibromyalgia, both conditions involve persistent and debilitating pain, which can affect your physical, mental as well as emotional health.
Although CPS and fibromyalgia share some similarities, they are both distinct conditions. Understanding their similarities and differences can help develop an effective and personalised approach in their management.