Why fibromyalgia is not a disease, but a syndrome?
The term disease refers to an alteration of the body that has a known cause, a predictable evolution, and a specific and usually effective treatment. For example, pneumonia is a disease because we know what causes it (an infectious agent), how it evolves, and how to treat it (with antibiotics).
In contrast, a syndrome is a set of symptoms and clinical signs that appear together recurrently, but that do not have a single identified cause nor a clear pathophysiological pattern. Moreover, they often have multiple origins or factors that trigger and maintain them. This is the case with fibromyalgia syndrome.
Fibromyalgia syndrome is considered a set of diverse and persistent symptoms, rather than a disease per se, because it cannot be attributed to a single identifiable cause nor are structural alterations detected with common medical tests. Patients may present widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, and cognitive difficulties —among many other described symptoms— with notable variability between individuals and over time. There is no universally effective treatment, and approaches are usually symptomatic and multidimensional. Furthermore, the pathophysiology is not yet clearly defined, although mechanisms such as central sensitisation or dysfunction in pain processing are proposed.
Seven years of research, a new perspective: fibromyalgia syndrome and superficial fasciopathy
After more than seven years of clinical investigation, Doctors Marta Expósito Izquierdo and Marta Cañis Parera have identified a common pattern in most patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome: the presence of a generalized superficial fasciopathy. That is, multiple areas of the subcutaneous plane have been identified where the fascia shows clear signs of congestion, hyperalgesia, and functional alteration.
In many of these cases, patients treated with the PMS technique experience significant relief of symptoms, such as pain or mobility limitations. Furthermore, many also report an improvement in quality of life.
Beyond pain: PMS as relief and understanding
Applying the PMS technique in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome brings a dual benefit: on one hand, it alleviates the pain associated with superficial fasciopathy, deflating tissues and restoring their anatomical definition; on the other hand, it offers a tangible explanation for diffuse pain, making a real structural alteration visible. This not only contributes to physical improvement but helps the patient better understand their disorder, breaking the feeling that “it’s all in your head.” PMS does not cure fibromyalgia syndrome, but it can reduce symptoms and bring clarity in the process of understanding and acceptance.
An open door to future research in fibromyalgia syndrome
A new horizon opens for scientific research: congestion of the superficial fascia as a key element in the study of generalized painful syndromes. This approach not only allows exploration of new therapeutic strategies but also points to a redefinition of the clinical and scientific paradigm related to diffuse pain and soft tissue alterations.
CAF, a new paradigm to understand fibromyalgia pain
From the CAF Research Unit, we take on this challenge with conviction: to change the way fibromyalgia syndrome is understood and addressed. We know that, too often, people living with this syndrome have been poorly treated or misunderstood by a medical system that has failed to respond to the complexity of their suffering.
We are determined to disseminate our findings and share the accumulated knowledge, hoping that this will have a real impact on medical sciences and contribute to offering better management and understanding of this disorder by the healthcare community.
💬 Let’s open the debate:
Do you think the concept of superficial fasciopathy can help better understand the diffuse pain of fibromyalgia syndrome?
Have you ever experienced, as a patient, misunderstanding from the healthcare system? Have you ever felt that your pain “had no explanation” and that no one understood you?
How do you imagine research in this field evolving in the coming years?
What therapeutic strategies would you like to see applied or investigated in relation to fibromyalgia syndrome?