Nonmedicinal treatments in primary fibromyalgia

Abstract

To date, few nonmedicinal treatments for primary fibromyalgia have been studied using acceptable scientific standards. This has led to rather arbitrary use of disparate treatment modalities, often in a haphazard sequence. Because primary fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic painful condition, rationale for treatment should be based on present concepts of pain perception supported by studies in the basic sciences. Recent clinical studies in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome conforming to the scientific method have been discussed in light of what is presently known about pain transmission and perception.