All You Need to Know about Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia has never been considered a simple condition to be diagnosed. This condition is never easy to be diagnosed through laboratory tests and this condition can only be judged by a doctor through their instinct. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be done through exerting pressure on eighteen small spots which are located throughout the body. These spots are commonly known as tender spots. People who suffer from fibromyalgia always have tender points. American College of Rheumatology was the first institute which was able to identify these 18 specific tender points. After that, the fibromyalgia tender point diagnosis was considered necessary for a person to be certified as suffering from fibromyalgia. Prior to this discovery in the year 2010, it was agreed that if 11 of these 18 points tested positive for tenderness, the person was considered to be suffering from fibromyalgia. Tender point examination is a key consideration factor for a person to be suffering from fibromyalgia. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia with these tender points The 18 tender points in the body are of the size of a penny. These are usually located in a cluster around the neck, shoulders, hips, elbows and knee area. Generally, these are located on both sides of the body and can be seen in the upper region and lower region of the human body. Any point among these is considered to be tender only when they produce a localized pain as and when a doctor presses these points. The intensity of the pressure to be applied by the doctor should be such that their fingernail turns white while the pressure is being applied. If a point is positive for this tenderness, it will be painful at that exact point when the pressure is applied. A defining feature of fibromyalgia is that the pain usually fluctuates in this condition.