Symptoms of fibromyalgia in feet can include swelling, irritation, and inflammation of the tissues within one or both feet.
Understanding Fibromyalgia and Foot Pain
Known as fascia, this connective tissue surrounds and holds every organ, bone, muscle, blood vessel, and nerve fiber in place. During a foot pain flare, the soles, tops, and sides of your feet may feel as if they're burning.
Foot pain can be caused by a condition called plantar fasciitis, which is the irritation of a band of soft connective tissue that spans the sole of the foot. Planter fasciitis can be associated with fibromyalgia.
Individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome often experience a heightened sensitivity to pain, known as allodynia, so when pain occurs in a particular part of the body, this pain can be severe. “Foot pain may also come from an overlapping pain condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or Raynaud's syndrome,” says Dr.
Typically, nerve fibers in the hands and/or feet are affected. Symptoms include pins and needles, numbness, tingling, and weakness. People with fibromyalgia may experience the same symptoms. However, these symptoms tend to come and go in fibromyalgia.
FM patients walked less distance in 6 min (6MWT) [t(29) = −8.3, p < 0.001], and took more time to stand-up and to walk a distance of 3 meters (TUG) as compared with pain-free controls [t(40) = 6.7, p < 0.001].
Alternative Fibromyalgia Treatment Options for Foot Pain
In respect to the non-pharmacological treatment options, exercise, relaxation, and lifestyle management are the key focus. Choosing the proper exercise program is crucial to the management of symptoms of foot pain caused by fibromyalgia.
In addition to gradually increasing movement over time, also try to choose activities that won't put too much strain on your body. Experts typically recommend any low-impact aerobic activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling.
There are plenty of options to choose from, including taking a daily six-minute walk or doing some tai chi to help fibromyalgia. The more options that people have, the more they will be able to find relief from their pain.
The pain may get worse with activity, cold or damp weather, anxiety, and stress. This condition is more often diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 50.
Other symptoms
an overwhelming urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome) tingling, numbness, prickling or burning sensations in your hands and feet (pins and needles, also known as paraesthesia)
The drugs amitriptyline, duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin can relieve fibromyalgia pain in some people. They may cause side effects such as a dry mouth or nausea. Normal painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (paracetamol) aren't recommended for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Caffeine, heavy meals, and alcohol should be avoided before bedtime. Individuals should go to bed around the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, even on weekends or after a sleepless night. Exposure to light should be minimized before bedtime.
Reducing stress and relaxing
People may benefit from trying to avoid or limit exposure to stressful situations and making time to relax. While techniques such as meditation or deep breathing may help manage stress , it is important that people with fibromyalgia do not avoid physical activity altogether.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are associated with physical inactivity such as excessive sitting. Physical inactivity itself produces increased oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, factors present in fibromyalgia. Therefore, increasing physical activity should benefit patients with fibromyalgia.
Possible triggers
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident. an infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease.
Aerobic exercise may help relieve fibromyalgia pain, reduce stiffness, and improve function. Several types of aerobic activities can be effective, including: Walking: Walking is a great low-impact activity, especially if you're new to exercise. You can slowly increase the intensity with methods like Nordic walking.
Reflexology is an effective holistic therapy for patients of fibromyalgia. Once you undergo a reflexology session, you may feel a little uneasy for the first 24 hours, but this usually reduces, as you feel completely rejuvenated. After each session, feedback is important to prepare for a follow up session.
The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are: Chronic, widespread pain throughout the body or at multiple sites. Pain is often felt in the arms, legs, head, chest, abdomen, back, and buttocks. People often describe it as aching, burning, or throbbing.
There's no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are treatments to control your symptoms. Your doctor will probably start you on an exercise regimen and have you work with a physical therapist. Some have found real help from acupuncture, learning Tai Chi, or taking yoga classes.