If you have chronic pain or know someone who has, chances are you have heard of Fibromyalgia.  But not many people know exactly what it is or where it comes from.  In fact, many patients and doctors alike have doubted whether or not Fibromyalgia is even a real disease!   Well, indeed it is.  In this episode, Board Certified Rheumatologist Dr. Martina Ziegenbein and I are demystifying the diagnosis by answering to the following questions: *************** What is fibromyalgia?How do we diagnose it?Why has FM been known as a “wastebasket” diagnosis?What causes FM?  Is it autoimmune? Inflammatory? Neurologic?Aside from pain, are sleep and mood disturbances part of the diagnosis?What are the types of pain? Which category does FM pain fall into?Why was FM previously considered psychosomatic?How has the stigma associated with FM affected how patients are treated?Why are rheumatologists the specialists with FM expertise?Why does it take so long to come to a diagnosis of FM?How do personality, intrinsic characteristics and past trauma contribute to the development of FM?How does an overactive nervous system contribute to hypersensitivity?What are the treatment options for pain?How does nervous system training help in the overall management?What is somatic tracking and how can it help? *************** Dr. Ziegenbein is a board certified rheumatologist practicing on Cape Cod.  She graduated from PJ Safarik University School of Medicine in Slovakia and completed Internal Medicine at the Marshfield Clinic Medical Center.  For her Rheumatology Fellowship she attended Boston Medical Center and subsequently completed a Lupus Fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. *************** You can find more from Dr. Ziegenbein at: Website: www.winningatfibromyalgia.com *************** Thanks so much for listening! There's lots more on my website: www.drlexlifestylemedicine.com and.... If you love the music, check out: www.therealmichaelvm.com/music All my love & gratitude to: my guest: Dr.  Martina Ziegenbein, my inspiration: my patients, my idea guy: Edward, my intro crew: Izzy, Lance & Lucia, my tech & equipment guy: Pop, my angel: Susie, my music & sound guy: Mike VM, my mascots: Jules & P.S.,  my creative director: Emily, my love, Michael. *************** #fibromyalgia #fibromyalgiaawareness #fibromyalgiawarrior #fibromyalgiasucks #fibromyalgiapaintreatment #fibromyalgiatherapy #fibromyalgiafighter #fibromyalgiasupport  #fibromyalgiaproblems  #fibromyalgiaarmy #fibromyalgiaisreal #fibromyalgiadiet #fibromyalgiacommunity #fibromyalgiapain