4210 Benner Rd
Kyle, TX 78640
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Phone: (512) 298-1645
Fax: (512) 298-1795
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Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and heightened sensitivity throughout the body. It is classified as a chronic pain condition, meaning symptoms persist over time rather than resolving with rest or routine care. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not fully understood, and there is currently no single biomarker or definitive laboratory test that can confirm a diagnosis on its own.
Because fibromyalgia shares symptoms with many other conditions, it is considered a diagnosis of exclusion: other potential causes of widespread pain must be ruled out before fibromyalgia can be diagnosed. A thorough review of medical history, a physical examination, and documentation of symptoms lasting at least three months are all part of the diagnostic process. Greater Austin Pain Center understands the challenges that come with a fibromyalgia diagnosis and takes a careful, individualized approach to helping patients manage the condition over time.
In recent years, greater public openness about fibromyalgia has helped more people feel comfortable seeking care. Public figures across the world have been vocal about living with the condition, and sharing those stories through media, documentary film, and other outlets has meaningfully raised awareness. If you have read an article, seen a documentary, or come across a social media post that helped you recognize your own experience in fibromyalgia symptoms, that openness and sharing may be what started you on the path to getting real answers.
Fibromyalgia pain is distinguished by tenderness at specific points distributed across the body. There are 18 of these tender points, arranged in nine laterally symmetrical pairs. Common locations include the upper chest, inner elbows, the area slightly above the inner knees, the base of the skull, the base of the neck and top of the shoulders, the upper back near the shoulder blades, the upper buttocks, and the hip bones. Pain in the neck and shoulders is among the most frequently reported complaints, and many people feel significant stiffness in these areas, particularly in the morning.
Beyond localized tenderness, fibromyalgia can produce a wide range of symptoms that affect multiple systems and make daily life genuinely difficult to navigate. A lot of people are surprised to learn how far-reaching the impact of this condition can be. Common symptoms include:
Because these symptoms overlap with many other conditions and are not always visible to others, fibromyalgia is often grouped among invisible illnesses. This invisibility can add to the emotional toll patients experience day to day, making compassionate, knowledgeable, and caring support especially important. Things like sudden changes in weather, stress, or activity level can trigger or worsen a flare, making it harder to plan and harder still to feel understood by people who have not experienced the condition themselves.
Fibromyalgia pain is distinguished by tenderness at specific points distributed across the body. There are 18 of these tender points, arranged in nine laterally symmetrical pairs. Common locations include the upper chest, inner elbows, the area slightly above the inner knees, the base of the skull, the base of the neck and top of the shoulders, the upper back near the shoulder blades, the upper buttocks, and the hip bones. Pain in the neck and shoulders is among the most frequently reported complaints, and many people feel significant stiffness in these areas, particularly in the morning.
Beyond localized tenderness, fibromyalgia can produce a wide range of symptoms that affect multiple systems and make daily life genuinely difficult to navigate. A lot of people are surprised to learn how far-reaching the impact of this condition can be. Common symptoms include:
Because these symptoms overlap with many other conditions and are not always visible to others, fibromyalgia is often grouped among invisible illnesses. This invisibility can add to the emotional toll patients experience day to day, making compassionate, knowledgeable, and caring support especially important. Things like sudden changes in weather, stress, or activity level can trigger or worsen a flare, making it harder to plan and harder still to feel understood by people who have not experienced the condition themselves.
Because fibromyalgia presents differently in each person, effective care typically requires a personalized, multi-modal approach. Greater Austin Pain Center's fibromyalgia specialists develop individualized treatment plans based on each patient's symptom profile, health history, and the treatments they have already tried. The goal is to help each patient find what works for their real experience of this condition, not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Interventional treatment options that may be part of a fibromyalgia care plan at GAPC include:
These interventional options are considered alongside other aspects of a comprehensive plan. Your care team may recommend physical therapy or aqua therapy, including warm water exercise, as part of a broader approach; GAPC can coordinate referrals to physical therapists when that type of structured rehabilitation is appropriate for your situation. Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, activity pacing, balanced nutrition, and improved sleep habits, can also help fibromyalgia patients manage symptoms over time. For some people, activities like gentle dancing or other low-impact movement have been part of what helps them stay active while working within their body's limits on any given day.
Medication is another component that a specialist may discuss. Since 2007, the FDA has approved several prescription medications specifically for fibromyalgia treatment, including Lyrica, Cymbalta, and Savella, and research in this area continues. Low doses of certain other medications have also shown benefit for some patients. Your provider at GAPC will consider your full picture when discussing whether medication, interventional procedures, or a combination of approaches offers the most appropriate path toward relief.
Relaxation techniques and mindfulness practices are additional tools that fibromyalgia patients sometimes find helpful for symptom control, particularly during a flare. While GAPC does not offer these directly, your care team can help you understand how they might complement your overall plan. You can also visit our website to learn more about the specific treatments we offer and what to expect when you connect with our team.
The first step toward addressing fibromyalgia is connecting with a specialist who understands the condition's complexities. You can schedule an appointment at Greater Austin Pain Center's Kyle location today by calling (512) 298-1645, sending an email through our online contact form, or using our online scheduling tool. We are currently accepting new patients in Kyle, TX and are ready to help you find answers.
Because there is no single test for fibromyalgia, the evaluation process is thorough and collaborative. Your specialist will review your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and carefully consider your symptoms, including how long they have persisted, what things have made them better or worse, and what treatments you have already tried. A fibromyalgia diagnosis requires findings from both the history and the physical exam, with symptoms present for at least three months, and other potential causes of widespread pain are ruled out as part of this process. Many patients feel a sense of relief when a caring, knowledgeable provider takes the time to work through this with them.
Once your evaluation is complete, your care team will develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific symptoms and health goals. This plan may combine interventional procedures such as trigger point injections, nerve blocks, or ketamine infusion therapy with lifestyle guidance and, when appropriate, referrals to physical therapists or other providers. Medication options may also be discussed. The goal is a coordinated plan that addresses your pain, fatigue, cognitive disturbances, and other symptoms in a realistic, manageable way, and that can be adjusted over time as your experience with the condition evolves.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, and effective management typically requires ongoing support rather than a single visit. Your GAPC care team will monitor your response to treatments, adjust your plan as needed, and help you build the practical skills to cope with symptoms over time, including managing flares when they occur. Regular follow-up appointments allow your provider to track your progress, address new challenges, and help you maintain the best possible function and quality of life across the years ahead.
"Dr. Jarzembeck is AMAZING. I HIGHLY recommend her for anyone suffering in pain. She goes above and beyond to make sure her patients pain has been dealt with."
"Everyone is so friendly and helpful, Dr. Bednar came to me and explained the procedure and answered my questions. Highly recommend!"
"Dr. Julia is the best! The staff is professional and friendly to all. Best of all, Dr. Julia is finding solutions for my chronic pain! Never thought that it would be possible. It's a journey for me, but it seems like there is a solution."
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Fibromyalgia can produce a range of sensations, including widespread muscle pain, pins-and-needles feelings, numbness, tingling, and uncomfortable sensations sometimes called paresthesias. Pain in the neck and shoulders is very common, and pain may also occur at the top of the skull or behind the eyes, often related to tight muscles in the back of the neck. Many people describe the condition as exhausting, with fatigue that does not resolve with rest and symptoms that feel more intense during a flare.
In addition to widespread pain, fibromyalgia can cause significant fatigue, difficulty sleeping, mood swings, anxiety, and cognitive disturbances commonly referred to as fibro fog. Some individuals also experience sensitivity to light, sound, and touch, dizziness, migraines, and muscle twitching. Because these symptoms affect so many aspects of daily life, fibromyalgia is considered a complex chronic illness, and a lot of people find that understanding the full scope of the condition helps them feel less alone in their experience.
No. Fibromyalgia and depression are two distinct conditions, though depression frequently accompanies chronic pain and illness. Experiencing depression alongside fibromyalgia does not mean one caused the other. A fibromyalgia specialist can help clarify the relationship between your symptoms and recommend care that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of living with a chronic pain condition.
There is no single lab test or biomarker that confirms fibromyalgia. It is diagnosed through a combination of medical history review, physical examination, and symptom evaluation. For a diagnosis to be made, symptoms including widespread pain and related complaints must have been present for at least three months, and other potential causes should be ruled out first. Your specialist at Greater Austin Pain Center in Kyle, TX will walk through this process with you carefully and answer your questions at each step.
If you are experiencing persistent, widespread pain that does not have a clear explanation, along with fatigue, sleep problems, fibro fog, or other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, it is worth speaking with a specialist. Early diagnosis can open the door to a broader range of symptom management options and help you build a care plan before symptoms become more disruptive to daily life. You can call our office or schedule online to get started today.
Yes, lifestyle changes are often a meaningful part of fibromyalgia management. Regular exercise, pacing activities throughout the day, maintaining a balanced diet, prioritizing sleep hygiene, and practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques may all help reduce the frequency or intensity of symptoms. These approaches are typically most effective as part of a broader plan that also includes medical evaluation and, where appropriate, interventional or medication-based treatments. Your care team can help you learn which approaches are most likely to work for your specific situation.
Curious about interventional pain treatments in Austin, TX? Join our doctors for an in-person lunch and learn session to find out more about these treatments and ask any questions you may have. This event will be 12–1pm, sign up below to receive more details and RSVP.
If persistent, widespread pain and fatigue are affecting your quality of life, the fibromyalgia specialists at Greater Austin Pain Center are ready to help you find real answers and build a realistic path toward relief. Call us at (512) 298-1645 or schedule online, and know that our caring team also serves patients across Central Texas from our locations in Austin, San Marcos, and Dripping Springs.
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