Does fibromyalgia affect your hands and feet?

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Quick Answers

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and tenderness. While fibromyalgia pain can occur all over the body, some common areas affected include the hands and feet.

Many people with fibromyalgia experience hand and foot symptoms like:

Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet

Sensations of swelling in the hands and feet
Stiffness and cramping in the hands and feet
Clumsiness and loss of dexterity

Hypersensitivity to touch or cold in the hands and feet

The exact cause of fibromyalgia hand and foot symptoms is unknown, but likely involves factors like nerve dysfunction and inflammation. Treatments like medication, lifestyle changes, and occupational therapy can help manage fibromyalgia hand and foot pain.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain as well as fatigue, sleep issues, memory problems, and mood disturbances. It affects an estimated 2-8% of the population, with women more frequently diagnosed than men.

The pain of fibromyalgia is often described as a constant dull ache affecting many areas of the body. While fibromyalgia can cause pain all over, certain parts of the body are more susceptible. These include:

Neck and shoulders
Back

Hips
Legs
Arms

Hands
Feet

In addition to pain, fibromyalgia commonly causes moderate to severe fatigue, disrupted sleep, cognitive dysfunction (fibro fog), headaches, numbness/tingling, temperature sensitivity, anxiety, and depression. Symptoms may fluctuate in severity and often worsen with stress.

Fibromyalgia Hand Symptoms

Many people with fibromyalgia experience symptoms like pain, cramping, and numbness in their hands. Some common hand complaints include:

Tingling/numbness – Sensations of pins and needles or numbness in the hands is very common.
Cold hands – Hands feeling uncomfortably cold frequently occurs.

Stiffness – Morning stiffness and cramping up of the hands is typical.
Clumsiness – Dropping things and difficulty grasping objects often happens.
Impaired dexterity – Buttons and jewelry may be hard to manage.

Sensitive skin – Hypersensitivity to touch or temperature changes is often present.
Raynaud’s phenomenon – Some people experience color changes in fingers when cold.
Carpal tunnel syndrome – Wrist and hand numbness with repetitive hand motions may occur.

These fibromyalgia hand issues can make everyday tasks like typing, writing, buttoning clothes, opening jars, and holding objects more challenging and painful.

What Causes Fibromyalgia Hand Pain?

Researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes fibromyalgia, let alone the specific hand symptoms. However, some theories include:

Central nervous system dysfunction – Increased sensitivity and dysfunction in pain processing pathways may be involved.

Inflammation – Changes in inflammatory substances may sensitize nerves.
Hormonal imbalances – Disruptions in stress hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth hormones may play a role.
Genetics – Certain genetic traits may predispose people to developing fibromyalgia.

Injuries – Physical trauma may trigger the onset in some cases.
Sleep disturbances – Lack of restorative sleep can make pain worse.

Researchers are still investigating the complex interplay between these different factors. There are likely multiple processes involved that can vary between individuals.

Fibromyalgia Hand Treatment

While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, various treatments can help manage hand pain and dysfunction:

Medications – Drugs like analgesics, anti-seizures, and antidepressants may ease fibromyalgia hand symptoms.
Lifestyle changes – Getting regular exercise, enough sleep, and avoiding overexertion can help.

Stress management – Relaxation techniques and counseling assist with coping.
Heat/cold therapy – Applying heating pads or ice packs to painful hands can provide relief.
Hand braces or splints – Bracing injured or weak joints offers extra support.

Occupational therapy – Working with a therapist can improve hand function and strength.
Massage – Gentle massage may help relax muscles and increase circulation.

Finding the right combination of medical and at-home treatments is key. Pacing activities, using good ergonomics, and avoiding overworking the hands can also help prevent flares.

Fibromyalgia Foot Symptoms

Like the hands, feet are another common site of pain and discomfort for those with fibromyalgia. Some specific fibromyalgia foot complaints include:

Tingling/numbness – Numbness or a pins and needles sensation is very common.
Cold feet – Feet feeling uncomfortably cold frequently occurs.

Stiffness – Morning stiffness in feet and toes is typical.
Swelling – Some experience sensations of swelling in feet.
Hypersensitivity – Increased sensitivity to touch or cold is often present.

Plantar fasciitis – Heel and arch pain may happen with overuse.
Raynaud’s phenomenon – Some people have color changes in toes when exposed to cold.

These fibromyalgia foot symptoms can make standing, walking, balancing, and wearing shoes painful and challenging at times.

What Causes Fibromyalgia Foot Pain?

Like with the hands, doctors aren’t totally sure what causes fibromyalgia foot pain specifically. Some theories include:

Nerve dysfunction – Abnormal pain signaling between nerves may be to blame.
Tissue inflammation – Localized inflammation affecting feet could play a role.

Muscle spasms – Cramping of foot and leg muscles might contribute.
Circulation changes – Constricted blood vessels may produce cold feet.
Injuries – Past injuries increasing susceptibility to pain could be a factor.

Mechanical stress – Excess standing, walking, or running could worsen pain.

Research continues to uncover the complex interplay between the nervous system,immune system, hormones, genetics, and environmental factors that likely contribute.

Fibromyalgia Foot Treatment

A multifaceted treatment approach helps most with fibromyalgia foot discomfort:

Medications – Prescription medications like pregabalin and duloxetine can reduce neuropathic nerve pain.
Supportive shoes and inserts – Cushioned shoes with custom orthotics support feet.
Compression socks – Graduated compression socks improve circulation.

Exercise – Low-impact activities like swimming, stretching, and yoga help keep feet flexible.
Massage – Gentle foot massages increase relaxation and blood flow.
Heat/cold therapy – Heating pads, warm soaks, or ice provide pain relief.

Elevation – Resting feet above heart level reduces swelling.

Adapting activities, wearing proper footwear, losing excess weight, and avoiding overworking the feet may also prevent fibromyalgia foot flares.

The Link Between Fibromyalgia and Feet/Hand Discomfort

It’s not entirely clear why those with fibromyalgia often develop hand and foot issues, but some possible reasons include:

The hands and feet have many small muscles, joints, nerves, and connective tissues that may be more prone to fibromyalgia pain and dysfunction.
Repetitive hand and foot motions at work and in daily activities may aggravate fibromyalgia symptoms.
The hands and feet are more exposed to environmental temperature changes that individuals with fibromyalgia are sensitive to.

Injuries and musculoskeletal strain to the wrists, hands, ankles, and feet could make fibromyalgia worse in these areas.
Reduced circulation to the extremities may result in coldness, numbness, tingling, and hypersensitivity.
Inflammation affecting connective tissue can target areas like hands and feet.

The hands and feet contain many small structures that are common sources of pain problems even in healthy people. With fibromyalgia amplifying pain signals, these areas may be especially vulnerable.

Other Fibromyalgia Symptoms Affecting Hands and Feet

In addition to general aches and pains, those with fibromyalgia may develop other issues in their hands and feet like:

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon involves abnormal blood vessel constriction in the fingers and toes when exposed to cold or stress. It causes color changes like:

Fingers or toes turning white
Fingers or toes turning blue
Fingers or toes turning red as blood flow returns

Raynaud’s often co-occurs with fibromyalgia. Management focuses on keeping the extremities warm and reducing stress.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of the median nerve as it passes through the wrist. Symptoms include:

Numbness/tingling in the thumb, index, and middle fingers

Weakened thumb grip
Pain or burning sensation in the affected hand and wrist
Worsened symptoms at night or with repetitive hand motions

Carpal tunnel is more common in those with fibromyalgia and other rheumatic conditions. Treatment involves wrist splinting, NSAIDs, and sometimes surgery.

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis refers to inflammation of the plantar fascia ligament running along the bottom of the foot. Symptoms include:

Sharp pain in the heel or arch, especially with the first steps in the morning

Pain that worsens with standing, walking, or climbing
Heel and arch pain that improves with rest

Plantar fasciitis tends to occur in those who are very active on their feet. Proper footwear, arch supports, stretching, and massage help ease the pain.

When to See a Doctor

It’s a good idea to see a doctor if fibromyalgia hand or foot symptoms interfere with daily functioning. A doctor can:

Confirm an official fibromyalgia diagnosis
Rule out other conditions like arthritis, injuries, or nerve compression

Provide medication to reduce pain and improve function
Refer to specialists like a rheumatologist, neurologist, or pain clinic
Provide guidance on lifestyle changes, exercises, and assistive devices

Early diagnosis and treatment provide the best outlook for managing troublesome fibromyalgia hand and foot symptoms long-term.

Conclusion

Hand and foot pain, swelling, numbness, and coldness are common complaints for those with fibromyalgia. Exactly what causes these localized symptoms remains under investigation, but likely involves factors like inflammation, nerve dysfunction, musculoskeletal strain, and circulatory changes.

Treating fibromyalgia hand and foot discomfort requires a combination approach with medication, lifestyle adaptation, physical and occupational therapy, assistive devices, and stress management. While symptoms may fluctuate in severity, working closely with your healthcare providers allows for better function and quality of life.