I, am a silent sufferer of fibromyalgia, and my life, will most likely, never be the same again (as it was before it began).
History of Fibromyalgia
1600'S
FM symptoms were first given a name, Muscular Rheumatism. 1700'S
Pain and stiffness were divided into two major categories, ARTHRITIS for joint and bone pain; MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM for muscle and soft tissue pain.
1800'S
Germany and Scandinavia were the leading sources of FM awareness.
1904
The term FIBROSITIS was coined.
1930
American researchers finally joined the international effort to understand FM.
1976
"The term FIBROMYALGIA was coined."
FIBROSITIS, means an inflammation or swelling of the tissues while FIBROMYALGIA means pain in the muscles and fibrous tissues of the body.
1977
Dr. Henry Stonnington of the Mayo Clinic researched, discovered and discussed FM’s affects on the workplace and society’s economy. Dr. Henry Stonnington stated; “FM is one of the most important causes of morbidity and work Absenteeism. This is an immense problem in health care which not only taxes the ingenuity of the physician but also the endurance of the patient.”
1987
The American Medical Association recognized FM as a real PHYSICAL condition.
History of Fibromyalgia Research . . .
A long and Winding Road;
1600'S
FM symptoms were first given a name. The collection of symptoms were referred to as Muscular Rheumatism.
1700'S
Pain and stiffness were divided into two major categories by physicians. ARTHRITIS referred to pain and stiffness in the joints and bones. MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM was reserved for these symptoms in the muscles and soft tissues of the body.
1800'S
German researchers and practicing doctors along with Scandinavian masseuses were generating the majority of medical FM literature.
1816
Dr. William Balfour, surgeon at the University of Edinburgh provided a full description of FM.
1824
Dr. Balfour described the tender points of FM.
1843
Dr. Robert Froriep designated a term for the tender points of FM. He called them MUSKELSCHWIELE (MUSCLE CALLUS).
1846
FM was finally described in American medical documents by practicing physicians. American researchers however still were not interested in the mysterious condition.
1880
An American psychiatrist wrote about a collection of signs and symptoms including widespread pain and fatigue. He called this condition NEURASTHENIA.
1900
The British join the growing ranks of FM researchers.
1904
The term FIBROSITIS was coined.
1913
Dr. A. J. Luff listed factors he believed caused or aggravated FM. These factors included:
*Rain
*Lowering of barometric pressure
*Extreme variations in temperature
*Localized injuries (i.e.: sprained wrist)
*Fevers and Flu like infections
What's in a Name?
The symptoms of Fibromyalgia have been around for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years. The collection of symptoms have gone through a variety of name changes that illustrate an evoluntion of scientific and medical knowledge and understanding of the nature of this condition.
Some of the previous names of Fibromyalgia include but are not limited to:
Chronic pain syndrome
Chronic rheumatism
Cumulative Trauma Disorder
Fibrositis
Fibromyositis
Muscle Hardening
Once again thanks to http://www.fibrocop.org/index.htm
