Women with joint hypermobility syndrome and multiple childbirths are prone to fibromyalgia; as are men who have had serious injuries to their low backs and pelvises. The common denominator is onset of a loose and unstable pelvic girdle. In my article in Practical Pain Management I have offered people a way to determine if they have an unstable pelvis. Unfortunately, an unstable pelvis is only able to be determined by physical examination, and all radiological examinations are unable to detect this disorder.
Joint hyper-mobility disorder is a genetic variation with varying grades of intensity. The probable explanation for this condition is that a loose pelvis enables easier childbirth. Women with the mildest variation sometimes had multiple ankle sprains as children, were able to touch their palms to the floor, back bridge and were good gymnasts. The autonomic nervous system (parasympathetic branch) crosses over the sacroiliac joint of the pelvis as it courses to the bladder and bowel. Impingement of this nervous system tract is a possible explanation for irritable bowel symptoms and urinary dysfunctions (urgency and frequency) observed in many women with fibromyalgia.
In people with FM their unstable pelvis, which is the foundation for the upper body (their upper body ligaments, muscles and tendons) are subjected to constant stress causal of chronic muscle spasm, development of trigger points, and evolution of widespread chronic pain. My own theory is that hyperalgesia and reset of brain pain thresholds is an effect of the brain being constantly being barraged with pain signals originating in the body periphery - the muscles, tendons, and joint ligaments. Similarly, substance P and brain function changes seen on functional MRI’s are secondary effects and not the primary cause.
Ok, I'm gonna bite on this one. My fibro first began when I hurt my lower back during a gym accident. For several years after that my pelvis kept getting slightly out of alignment, which was horribly uncomfortable. I'd go to the chiropractor or PT person and get it reset, only for it to come right back out again.
Well, loe and behold, thanks to a comment made by our Mike, I realized that I have some hypermobility, including in my hips. So finding your comment here is one of those weird coincidences that we come across that really don't seem coincidental at all. I have a feeling that your comment was meant to be here right now, at the right time, for the right people to hear. i think these things happen more than we realize, and I'm thankful that you've posted this.
I'm not quite sure how to approach this with my doctor. I've only barely accepted it in myself (my sis has it too. She can do that palms on the floor without bending the knees trick) because I never knew i had it except for a thumb trick i could do when I was younger. My sis didn't realize she was hypermobile either until i showed her some of the contortions.
In the bigger picture, I'm starting to wonder if many more fibro people might also have hypermobility issues that may impact their bodies. If so, do we suffer from fibromyalgia or something else? Or both? Also, your connecting the dots for those with hypermobility is really intriguing. I'm guessing that slowly but surely, we'll hear more on this.
Thanks for posting this discussion, Lorenzo. It is much appreciated.
Hello Lorenzo
I was wondering about the instance of fibromyalgia in women who have not given birth?
Hi Angel
I was also thinking about all the athletes that, under Lorenzo's opinion, with their definitely bendable bodies will be prime candidates for fibromyalgia down the road..........gymnasts, figure skaters and so many more.
The problem with fibro is that there are no long term studies that I know of so it is opinion we are working with.
I think it's an interesting theory that we can watch over the years. But like fibro itself there are opinions but no hard data. So, we the patients and the doctors who believe in fibro are always wondering......Why was I in such terrible pain last night? And then we look for possible causes. Sigh. Caring doctors need us to tell them exactly how we feel. That way we can help them to collect data on their fibro patients. Maybe that will help our grandchildren!
I salute the caring doctors. Where would we be without them?
Thank you Angel for prayers.