Fibromyalgia and Inflammation, What’s the Connection?
As our Fibro Doctors regularly explain to new patients: “fibromyalgia represents a chronic pain pathology characterised by severe musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, disturbances in sleep, and cognitive issues. Despite its presence, the underlying mechanisms of fibromyalgia remain inadequately understood; however, recent investigations have suggested that inflammation could play a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of this condition” [1]
Research on Fibromyalgia is finally progressing, and a few studies have now put a spotlight on inflammatory similarities in fibro patients. these include:
- Raised concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines. (Cytokins are signalling proteins and regulators of our responses to inflammation, infection, trauma and immune response. ‘Proinflammatory Cytokines’ act to make disease worse, whereas ‘Anti-Inflammatory Cytokins’ work to lessen inflammation and promote healing
- Impairment of the body’s immune response, and
- Neuroinflammation (an inflammatory response within the brain or spinal cord) [1]
Moreover, long-term low-grade inflammation “has been proposed as a potential catalyst for the sensitisation of pain pathways, which exacerbates the symptoms of fibromyalgia” [1].
The Low-Down on Neuroinflammation
At times of neuroinflammation, the brain’s immune cells (microglia) and support cells (astrocytes) become activated. This results in the transmission of different categories of inflammatory mediators (these are small molecules which are sent out by cells in reaction to injury or infection. They play a pivotal part in regulating and initiating the immune response, thereby generating inflammation and tissue repair). Generally speaking, these inflammatory responses from cytokines etc., are confined to our brain. – However, with the passing of time, they can lead to systemic inflammation (inflammation all over the body), due to a compromised the blood-brain-barrier Furthermore, after the breakdown of the blood-brain-barrier: the flow of lymphocytes and other systemic immune cells into the brain “can further worsen neuroinflammation and may lead to permanent neural damage” [1].
Leading the Way in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Here at the London Pain Clinic, our world renowned Fibromyalgia Specialists are continually abreast of the latest cutting-edge research which can help sufferers, many of whom are often in despair with the impact that this disorder can have on every aspect of their lives. We pride ourselves as leaders in the field of negating pain and pain management, and to that end, we provide all our patients with a Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan. This is likely to incorporate both conventional and the latest state-of-the-art treatments; injectables including botox and nerve blocks; and physical therapies, all of which have been shown to help ameliorate how patients feel, thereby empowering them to get back to optimum living.
For far too long, fibromyalgia sufferers have not been given an accurate diagnosis or the correct treatment. This in part, is due to patients being let down by their GPs who have not had the necessary additional years of training and extensive clinical practice in pain conditions, pain medicine, and other therapies such as botox. – A simple procedure that can be highly beneficial for alleviating muscular pain.
Furthermore, it can be extremely beneficial to have an in-person or online consultation at the London Pain Clinic which values and (when viable), acts on developments from high level research. And with regard to the aforementioned research on the connection between fibromyalgia and inflammation, Harvard Medical School’s, Marco Loggia, PhD, states: “Identifying a potential treatment target could lead to the development of innovative, more effective therapies,and finding objective neurochemical changes in the brains of patients with fibromyalgia should help reduce the persistent stigma that many patients face, often being told their symptoms are imaginary and there’s nothing really wrong with them” [2].
References
[1]. García-Domínguez, M. “Fibromyalgia and Inflammation: Unrevealing the Connection.” Cells 2025, 14(4), 271
https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/4/271#
[2]. Shabir, O, (2019). “Brain Inflammation in Patients with Fibromyalgia.” Medical Life Sciences.
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Brain-Inflammation-in-Patients-with-Fibromyalgia.aspx
