Rethinking physiotherapy for patients with fibromyalgia - lessons learnt from qualitative studies

摘要

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain, extensive fatigue and an array of other symptoms. Cure is not expected, and patients have to learn to live with the illness. During the last years several studies have examined how it is like to live with FM from a patient's point of view. These findings may help physiotherapists to better understand the challenges faced by patients. Objective: To describe what it is like for patients to live with FM and discuss how this may inform physiotherapy practice.