Fibromyalgia has no cure and the management of this condition is difficult. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches are considered essential to assist these patients in better managing their illness. Exercise also has been shown to improve symptoms and quality of life in multiple studies.
About Kevin Fontaine, PhD
Savella – A New Drug Approved for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just approved a new drug called Savella (milnacipran HCL) for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Savella is categorized as an antidepressant, belonging to a class of drugs called serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). Savella was developed by Forest Laboratories Inc. and Cypress Bioscience Inc., and its FDA approval […]
Evidence Suggests the Pain in Fibromyalgia is Real
Pam, a short, pleasing looking woman in her early 50’s, has days when her body hurts so much that just arising from bed and going to the bathroom is an act of physical courage. “Some days are awful. Everything hurts. It always hurts but some days I cannot do anything at all.” She is not […]
Group Exercise, Education, and Combination Self-Management in Women with Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Trial
Fibromyalgia is a complex, poorly understood disorder characterized by diffuse chronic pain, fatigue, disturbed sleep, depression, and low tolerance for physical exertion. Pharmacological treatments are often helpful but rarely resolve symptoms and significantly improve functional capacity. Rooks and colleagues (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2007;167 (20): 2192) conducted a trial to investigate the effects of exercise […]
Improved Cardio-Respiratory Fitness with Prescribed Exercise
Regular physical activity improves general health but the frequency and intensity of physical activity required to produce benefits is not clear. To address this issue, Duncan and associates (Archives of Internal Medicine, 2005; 165: 2362-2369) conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of different prescriptions of exercise intensity and frequency on cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Vitamin D Intake Is Inversely Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Vitamin D plays an important role in bone metabolism and may also have immunomodulatory effects. Specifically, it has been shown in animals that vitamin D can suppress the effects of autoimmunity. Although we do not know whether a similar effect would be found in humans, no studies have assessed the association between Vitamin D and […]
