Mane Minow

Can TMS Therapy Help Those That Suffer From Fibromyalgia?

Those who suffer from fibromyalgia know that pain is a huge concern. The pain seen day in and day out can be excruciating. A body with FM has tender points, is extremely sore, and the simplest tasks are hard to complete. Besides widespread pain across the entire body that can be present in one area today but not tomorrow, patients report extreme fatigue, forgetfulness, stomach and digestive issues, creepy, crawly skin, dizziness, headaches, restless leg syndrome, and many other side effects. Sleep disorders often affect those that have been diagnosed with this condition. It is estimated that between 6 and 12 million Americans have this debilitating condition alone. Patients with this condition typically try medications to ward off the pain but have also looked at TMS therapy. Here we will look at whether TMS therapy can help those that suffer from fibromyalgia.

Studies have shown that while pain can not be treated using TMS therapy, there is a delayed positive impact using this treatment on those that suffer from FM. A study done in France found that after 11 weeks of TMS treatments, patients with Fibromyalgia had a better quality of life. Moods and feelings were reported as better, and social life improved for those who used TMS. Emotional effects were also seen. PET scans were also performed and determined that indeed the quality of a person’s life was greatly affected for the better by using TMS. Many feel that this treatment could complement other forms of treatment that doctors are using to treat those that have fibromyalgia.

It has been said that TMS treatments could eventually become more effective for those that have FM once precise locations and dosages are determined.

Other studies have shown that this procedure is very effective for those that suffer from chronic pain.

TMS therapy, also known as transcranial magnetic stimulation, is a treatment that targets the brain. This non-invasive treatment is approved by the FDA and is generally well tolerated by most individuals. It is not painful and does not cause harmful side effects.

If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and would like to try a treatment that complements medications or other therapies you are currently trying, consider TMS therapy. This treatment may not fully help with the pain, but it can assist with a better quality of life, which may eventually lead to less pain down the road.