Last updated 18/03/2022 by The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health

7 Known Fibromyalgia Triggers: These Can Aggravate Your Symptoms and Pain

Fibromyalgia flares are the name of the periods when your pain suddenly gets worse. These aggravated periods are often started by so-called triggers.

Here you will learn more about seven possible causes and triggers that can start fibromyalgia flares and aggravate your symptoms.

- Fibromyalgia is a Complicated Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia can go far beyond everyday life and quality of life - even without flares. But when an aggravated episode starts, these symptoms and pain can almost double overnight. Not very good. That is why it is important that you learn more about your possible triggers - and not least what you can do to prevent them. We fight for those with other chronic pain diagnoses and diseases to have better opportunities for treatment and examination - something not everyone agrees with, unfortunately. Share the article, like us on our FB page og our YouTube channel in social media to join us in the fight for a better everyday life for those with chronic pain.

- At our interdisciplinary departments at Vondtklinikkene in Oslo (Lambert seats) and Viken (Eidsvoll Sound og Raw wood) our clinicians have a uniquely high professional competence in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation training of chronic pain. Click on the links or here to read more about our departments.

This article goes through seven common triggers and causes of fibromyalgia pain and your symptoms getting worse - some of them might surprise you. At the bottom of the article you can also read comments from other readers and get good tips.

Are you wondering something or do you want more of such professional refills? Follow us on our Facebook page «Vondt.net - We relieve your pain»Or Our Youtube channel (opens in new link) for daily good advice and useful health information.

1. Emotional and Physical Stress

Perhaps one of the least surprising triggers and causes of worsening fibromyalgia symptoms. Stress comes in many forms and shapes - everything from emotional challenges, mental episodes and physical stress. We also know that with fibromyalgia we have a hypersensitive nervous system that reacts extra strongly to such stresses.

Common stress causes that can trigger a fibromyalgia flare-up:

• Deaths in the family

• Emotional problems (low self-esteem, anxiety and depression)

• Relocation to new residence

• Lose the job

• Breakups

• Economic problems

We have more fibromyalgia nerve noise (one of the causes of fibrotic fog) than others. This means that we have several electrical signals in our body and that we lack certain damping mechanisms in our brain. Scientists believe that by better understanding this hypersensitivity, one may find a cure. Yoga, stretching and movement exercises can be a good way to get rid of mental and physical stress - preferably just before going to bed. In the article below you can see a training program that shows you five quiet exercises.

Read more: - 5 Exercise exercises for those with Fibromyalgia

Click here to read more about these movement exercises - or watch the video below (VIDEO).

Tip: Relaxation measures against Stress-related Exacerbation

Good tip: - Use Acupressure Mat for Relaxation

Many of our patients ask us about ways they can get better control over their pain situation. For fibromyalgia patients, we often emphasize relaxation measures - such as the use of acupressure mat (click here to read more about it - the link opens in a new reader window). We recommend regular use, and preferably daily if you feel you benefit from it. As you get used to using the mat, you can also increase the duration of how long you lie on it.

Other Recommended Self-Measures for Chronic and Rheumatic Pain

• Compression Noise (such as compression socks that contribute to increased blood circulation to sore muscles or specially adapted compression gloves og socks against rheumatic symptoms in the hands and feet)

Click on the image to read more about compression gloves.

• Toe pullers (several types of rheumatism can cause bent toes - for example hammer toes or hallux valgus (bent big toe) - toe pullers can help relieve these)
• Mini tapes (many with rheumatic and chronic pain feel that it is easier to train with custom elastics)
• Trigger point Balls (self-help to work the muscles on a daily basis)
• Arnica cream or heat conditioner (some feel that these can relieve some of the pain)

VIDEO: 5 Movement Exercises for Those with Fibromyalgia

Calm and controlled clothing and exercise exercises can help you reduce physical and mental stress in your body. In the video below you can see an exercise program with five different exercises that can help you reduce stress.

Join our family and subscribe to our YouTube channel (click here) for free exercise tips, exercise programs and health knowledge. Welcome you shall be!

2. Poor Sleep

We with fibromyalgia often suffer from poor sleep and reduced sleep quality. Among other things, this means that we often wake up and feel exhausted in the body in the morning. Fibromyalgia prevents deep sleep and keeps us in easier sleep stages (when we get to sleep at all).

The problem with this is that sleep is the body's way of processing and attenuating mental and emotional stress. When we sleep, the brain does the dishes and cleans up all our experiences and emotional impressions. Lack of sleep quality goes beyond this process - which in turn can contribute to worsening fibromyalgia pain.

Too many people are plagued with chronic pain and illnesses that destroy everyday life - that's why we encourage you to Share this article in social media, Feel free to like our Facebook page og YouTube channel (click here) and say, "Yes to more research on chronic pain diagnoses".

In this way, one can make the symptoms associated with this diagnosis more visible and ensure that more people are taken seriously - and thus get the help they need. We also hope that such increased attention can lead to greater funding for research on new assessment and treatment methods.

Also read: Fibromyalgia and Pain in the Morning: Do You Suffer From Poor Sleep?

Here you can read more about five common morning symptoms in those with fibromyalgia.

3. Weather Changes and Temperature Sensitivity

There is no myth that rheumatologists experience worsening symptoms when the weather changes - it is a fact that is supported in research(1). In particular, the barometric pressure (air pressure) was decisive when triggering worsening symptoms. Many also respond significantly better to the sun and warmer weather.

A stable climate is thus better for us with soft tissue rheumatism (fibromyalgia). But in our dear Norway, it is the case that we have quite clear weather seasons and thus also major weather changes at times - which can have a negative effect in the form of more symptoms and fibromyalgia pain.

It is often reported in particular about a deterioration in the neck and shoulders of rheumatics in such weather changes. Which, among other things, leads to what we call stress neck. You can read more about this diagnosis in the guest article from Råholt Chiropractor Center and Physiotherapy in the article below.

Also read: - This You Should Know About Stress Talking

The link opens in a new window.

4. Doing Too Much on Good Days

We know how it is, but still we often fall into the same trap - namely to burn too much gunpowder when we feel a little better. Anyone with chronic pain diagnoses can recognize that it is INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS when the pain suddenly disappears. But what do we do then? Burning too much powder!

Housekeeping, errands or a social gathering - we have a tired tendency to let the bad conscience take over. "I just have to get the house cleaned now" or "Gunda and Fride would love to meet me at the cafe today" - so we throw ourselves into it. The only problem is that the energy capacity is often only temporarily improved - and BANG then we go for a bang.

One way to increase this energy capacity may be by eating more properly and tailored to your own diagnosis. The 'fibromyalgia diet' follows national dietary advice and guidelines. You can read more about it in the article below.

Also read: - Research report: This is the Best Fibromyalgia Diet

Click on the image or link above to read more about the correct diet adapted to those with fibro.

5. The menstrual cycle and Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes are also often strongly linked to a worsening of fibromyalgia pain and symptoms. One is not quite sure why this is extra bad for those with soft tissue rheumatism - but it is linked to hypersensitivity in the body's nervous system.

One can also experience exacerbation by hormonal changes - as seen by:

• Pregnancy

• Menopause

• Puberty

Certain research studies have also noted that with fibromyalgia we often have lower levels of the hormones dopamine and serotonin. Thus, one can see that hormones play a relatively unknown role in soft tissue rheumatism to date, which should be further researched.

Knowing natural anti-inflammatory measures can really help rheumatics. Below you can read more about eight natural anti-inflammatory measures.

Also read: - 8 Natural Anti-Inflammatory Measures Against Rheumatism

6. Disease and Fibromyalgia

Illness, such as the common cold and flu, can make your fibromyalgia pain worse. This is because in soft tissue rheumatologists, the body and brain constantly work to regulate and control the pain signals - and that extra tasks, such as a flu virus, can lead to an overload.

When we have another disease in the body - in addition to the soft tissue rheumatism - then the body must delegate its tasks. As a result, there are fewer resources to help keep fibromyalgia partially in check, and suddenly we know that the symptoms and pain are announcing their (worsening) arrival.

We with fibromyalgia are very familiar with the classic flu effect in the body's muscles, joints and soft tissues - after all, we live with it every single day. But then it was with this that several states can fold on top of each other and reinforce each other. This is exactly how soft-tissue rheumatists get the flu.

Also read: The 7 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain [Great Guide to the Different Pain Types]

Right-click and "open in new window" if you want to continue reading this article afterwards.

7. Injuries, Trauma and Operations

Fibromyalgia causes hypersensitivity in the soft tissues and the nervous system. Precisely because of this, an external injury (overuse, twisting of the knee) or an operation (for example, shoulder arthroscopy or a hip prosthesis) can lead to a worsening of your symptoms. You can compare it to an over-reaction from your body that triggers the pain.

Hypersensitivity thus results in a lack of regulation of pain signals and sensory impressions in our brain. Thus, a larger intervention, such as a hip operation, can cause the pain signals to shoot in the ceiling due to the damage tissue formed in such a surgical operation.

This means that in addition to recovering after a heavy operation, we also take into account that this may trigger a major acute deterioration of our fibromyalgia pain. Not good! Physical treatment and specific training are key to reducing the chance of such pain attacks after surgery.

Also read: 7 Ways LDN Can Help Against Fibromyalgia

Want more information? Join this group and share the information further!

Join the Facebook group «Rheumatism and Chronic Pain - Norway: Research and news» (Press here) for the latest updates on research and media writing about rheumatic and chronic disorders. Here, members can also get help and support - at all times of the day - through the exchange of their own experiences and advice.

Follow us on YouTube for Free Health Knowledge and Exercises

VIDEO: Exercises for Rheumatists and Those Affected by Fibromyalgia

Feel free to subscribe on our channel (click here) - and follow our page on FB for daily health tips and exercise programs.

We sincerely hope that this article can help you in the fight against chronic pain. If this is something you are also passionate about, then we hope that you choose to join our family on social media and to share the article further.

Feel free to share in Social Media for Increased Understanding for Chronic Pain

Again, we want to ask nicely to share this article in social media or via your blog(please link directly to the article). Understanding, general knowledge and increased focus are the first steps towards a better everyday life for those with chronic pain diagnoses.

Suggestions for how you can help fight chronic pain: 

Option A: Share directly on FB - Copy the website address and paste it on your facebook page or in a relevant facebook group you are a member of. Or press the "SHARE" button below to share the post further on your facebook.

Touch this to share further. A big thank you to everyone who contributes to promoting increased understanding of fibromyalgia.

Option B: Link directly to the article on your blog or website.

Option C: Follow and equal Our Facebook page (click here if desired) and Our YouTube channel (click here for more free videos!)

and also remember to leave a star rating if you liked the article:

Questions? Or do you want to book an appointment at one of our affiliated clinics?

We offer modern assessment, treatment and rehabilitation training for chronic pain.

Feel free to contact us via one of our specialized clinics (the clinic overview opens in a new window) or on vår Facebook-side (Vondtklinikkene - Health and Exercise) if you have any questions. For appointments, we have XNUMX-hour online booking at the various clinics so that you can find the consultation time that suits you best. You can also call us within the clinic's opening hours. We have interdisciplinary departments in Oslo (included Lambert seats) and Viken (Raw wood og Eidsvoll). Our skilled therapists look forward to hearing from you.

NEXT PAGE: - Fibromyalgia and Pain in the Morning [What You Should Know]

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Recommended self-help for this diagnosis

Compression Noise (for example, compression socks that contribute to increased blood circulation to sore muscles)

Trigger point Balls (self-help to work the muscles on a daily basis)

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