The exact mechanisms for how fibromyalgia causes pain—including neck pain—are still being studied. For example, some studies have suggested that people with fibromyalgia receive less blood flow and/or oxygen to their muscles, which could play a role in the pain. Additionally, a 2013 study found that a subset of fibromyalgia patients actually had some measurable nerve damage in areas that were painful.
What is known is that 18 common tender points have been identified in specific areas of the body. Almost half of these tender points are clustered in four regions: the neck, base of the head, shoulders, and upper back. While pain may not be experienced in all 18 tender points, it is highly likely that neck pain will be one symptom, either as pain that originates in the neck or is referred to the neck.
Diagnosis
Fibromyalgia can take a relatively long time to diagnose because symptoms tend to come and go, and other conditions must first be ruled out. According to guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology, getting an accurate diagnosis for fibromyalgia typically involves the following:
Gather specifics regarding pain in the past week, as well as fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and difficulty with concentration or memory.
Determine whether the symptoms have lasted at a noticeable level for at least 3 months.
Take diagnostic tests, such as a blood test, to see if a rheumatic disease or other conditions could be the culprit.
If several common fibromyalgia symptoms have lasted for at least 3 months, and all other possibilities are ruled out, the official diagnosis is fibromyalgia.
Treatment for Neck Pain from Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia cannot be cured, so the focus of treatment is to help control the symptoms. Many treatment options are available, and most patients go through significant amounts of trial and error before finding which ones work best for them. Some common treatment options for fibromyalgia—and its related neck pain—include:
Regular exercise
Staying active every day—such as with walking, aerobic exercises, yoga, and other activities to get the heart pumping and improve strength and flexibility—has been shown to reduce pain from fibromyalgia. However, due to the fatigue factor of fibromyalgia, it is important to start out slowly and focus more on consistency. Exercising a little bit each day in the beginning and then gradually building up from there is recommended.
Prescription medication
The FDA has approved three drugs to specifically treat fibromyalgia: pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta), and milnacipran HCl (Savella). Other medications may also be prescribed depending on the patient’s unique situation.
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Meeting with a certified mental health counselor regularly on a short-term basis helps some patients to think about their condition in a more constructive manner. New strategies for finding pain relief and improving quality of life can also be learned.
Alternative therapies
Some people find relief from nontraditional treatments, such as neck and back massages, manual manipulation, acupuncture, and others.
It should also be noted that common over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are not effective for reducing neck pain from fibromyalgia.
