middle back pain

Many researches have failed to prove the exact cause of fibromyalgia. The exact cause is unknown, but it's likely that a number of factors are involved.

There are some factors that are believed to contribute to the condition of fibromyalgia. These factors include:

Abnormal pain messages:

One of the main theories is that there are many changes in the way the central nervous system processes the pain messages carried around the body of fibromyalgia patients. This could be due to changes to chemicals in the nervous system.

The information all over your body is transferred by the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves) through a network of specialized cells. Changes in the way this system works may explain why fibromyalgia results in constant feelings of, and extreme sensitivity to, pain.

Imbalances of chemicals:

Many researches on fibromyalgia have proved that there are low levels of hormones like adrenaline, sertonin and dopamine in the brains of people with fibromyalgia.. Low levels of these hormones may be a key factor in the cause of fibromyalgia. Hormones are very vital to our body it regulates  things such as:

  • Mood
  • Appetite
  • Sleep
  • Behaviour
  • Your response to stressful situations

The pain messages sent by the nerves are regulated by these hormones. These signal or messages can be disrupted by increasing the hormone levels with medication.

Some studies have also suggested that changes in the levels of some other hormones, such as cortisol that is released in stress, may cause fibromyalgia.

Sleep problems:

Fibromyalgia is thought to be caused by disrupted sleep patterns rather than just a symptom.

You can’t sleep deeply and will experience fatigue (extreme tiredness), if you are living with fibromyalgia.. People can have higher levels of pain also, if they sleep badly. Sleep problems contribute to the other symptoms of fibromyalgia.


Many researches have proved that fibromyalgia can be having genetic causes.  Some people are just more likely to develop fibromyalgia due to their genes they carry. If this is the case, genetics could explain why many people develop fibromyalgia after some sort of trigger.

Possible triggers:

A stressful event, including physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress can trigger fibromyalgia. Possible triggers for the condition include:

  • a viral infection
  • an injury
  • giving birth
  • the breakdown of a relationship
  • having an operation
  • being in an abusive relationship
  • the death of a loved one

Fibromyalgia may be develop without any obvious trigger in some cases.

Associated conditions

Fibromyalgia may be associated with many other conditions. Rheumatic conditions (affecting the joints, muscles and bones) are thought to be associated with fibromyalgia, which include:


It is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues in different parts of the body


In this condition, pain and stiffness is experienced due to the damage to the joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis:

It is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the joints, which  cause pain and swelling.

Ankylosing spondylitis:

In this condition, there is pain and swelling in parts of the spine

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD):

It is a condition that can cause pain in the jaw, cheeks, ears and temples

Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed in people having such conditions.

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