Health care providers address problems involving the musculoskeletal system particularly the spine and neck. Their aim is to improve the overall spinal health of patients. People suffering from backache and neck pain frequently have an underlying problem with the alignment of the spine or may have muscle damage which prevents the back muscles from providing the correct support. They help realign the spine and relieve muscle tension with the use of various techniques. They can also treat joint problems, muscle spasms and ligament pain. Moreover, they stress the importance of correct posture from sitting, standing, to walking.

I am 28, and was diagnosed with Fibro about 6 years ago. I went in for extreme pain and fatigue, while my pain was all over, my elbows seemed to be the worst, so I became a lab rat for a few months to rule out everything else. I went on Lyrica, which did nothing but make me gain a lot of weight. I finally found a doctor that knows what he is doing. If I push myself too hard, the weather changes, I get to stressed, or a few other "normal" things, I get really bad flares. I feel hopeless some days, but I hold out hope that one day, something that actually works and treats Fibro will be found.

I have had shoulder surgery and two neck surgeries to treat my pain. The surgeries did no good. The several doctors I had seen, finally decided they had no idea what was wrong with me and no suggestions what to do. My family doctor sent me to the clinic where I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia with just one visit. I have been taking Cymbalta, which has lowered my pain by at least one-third. I still struggle at times, but it has definitely improved my condition. By the way I am a 48 year old male. It is not just limited to women.

I was told I had fibro two years ago, but I believe it started long before that. I always had headaches or was always sick with something symptoms started with my two toes going numb then my knees started to ache swell shoot severe pain at times even actually glowed red in appearance. Sometimes it's my shoulders I actually pray for days that it's any body part other than my knees. I have a headache practically every day some mornings I wake up so stiff I literally have to crawl out of bed. Some days not many I have no symptoms at all. Have given up on working to unpredictable side effects of medication often make things worse. I have crying spells my skin crawls my legs jump and sweet a lot. I often wonder if it's this bad at 49 what is it going to be like when I'm 70.

No medications, over the counter or prescribed, have been of any benefit. All caused such adverse side effects, I couldn't take them. I do take a low dose of gabapentin which seems to make me a little 'out of it' and masks some of the pain. I've taken supplements supposedly developed for fibromyalgia, no help. I've gone to a chiropractor, had massages, done physical therapy. I would eat dirt if it would give me a good night's sleep an evening and night without pain and enough energy to live a normal life.

Angela - I hear you about being a mom and active and all of a sudden you can't do ANYTHING because of the pain and fatigue. I have four kids and they are basically on their own. They are raising themselves. It stinks. I am taking Cymbalta 60mg, Fentanyl patch 75mcg and hydromorphone when I need more pain relief. I have gone three and a half years in excruciating pain. Fibromyalgia has been suggested. I don't have the pressure point pain. I have 24 hour head pain and some body pain.

I have been suffering from fibromyalgia for more than a year and, as a consequence, my left shoulder has been frozen for the last six months. Now I am on some exercises, but improvement is very, very slow. Sometimes I feel it will take a very long time to get well. One thing that is very important that I would like to point out is that I also suffer from C-reactive protein condition (CRP).