An estimated 5% of America’s population suffers from Fibromyalgia. It is often triggered by trauma, such as a car accident. For reasons unknown, women are diagnosed with this syndrome more often than men, though it can strike anyone at any age. One multi-million dollar verdict was recently achieved by Krafchick Law Firm on behalf of a male client who developed Fibromyalgia as a result of an on-the-job injury.
       To facilitate the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, the American College of Rheumatology established a criteria for diagnosis. The symptomatic criteria includes enduring widespread pain for more than 3 months, and/or the presence of severe pain felt when pressure is applied to 11 out of 18 specific locations on the body designated as “tender points.” (See Diagram)
       There is no cure, yet, for Fibromyalgia — or any of the Chronic Pain Disorders discussed in this website. However, for many patients, knowing that what they have is real — and they are not going crazy — offers some important validation.