| A fibromyalgia symptom checklist can be a | | | | fibromyalgia tender point sites. These sites are |
| difficult thing to pinpoint, because symptoms vary | | | | located on specific areas all over the body, |
| between different people. This article is based on | | | | including: the neck, shoulders, elbows, hips, and |
| the fibromyalgia symptom checklist that was put | | | | knees. There are detailed charts that have been |
| together by the American College of | | | | put together showing the locations of these |
| Rheumatology. | | | | fibromyalgia tender points. |
| The American College of Rheumatology put these | | | | If you suspect that you may be experiencing this |
| criteria together to help standardize fibromyalgia | | | | condition, it is important that you consult with |
| diagnosis. This condition has been somewhat | | | | your doctor to find a solution to treat your |
| controversial between doctors, because they | | | | symptoms. There are many options that can be |
| have not all been able to agree on the exact | | | | considered to help relieve you of the pain that |
| symptoms or the cause of fibromyalgia. | | | | you are feeling. |
| The first fibromyalgia symptom on the checklist is | | | | Some people choose to try a home-based |
| widespread pain for at least 3 months. This pain | | | | treatment that focuses on diet and lifestyle |
| may be moderate to severe, and it must occur in | | | | changes, and other people prefer to stick with |
| all four quadrants of the body-- both left and right | | | | mainstream medicine to treat the symptoms. You |
| side, and above and below the waist. | | | | doctor can advise you on the best treatment plan |
| The next criteria on the checklist is pain and | | | | for you needs, based on your lifestyle and the |
| tenderness in at least 11 of 18 specific | | | | individual severity of your symptoms. |