Polymyalgia rhuematica is basically a sharp pain syndrome which affects the neck, shoulder and hip regions. The accepted abbreviation for this mouthful name is PMR. PMR pains are known to affect people generally in the mornings and they can persist for up to two years with treatment.
PMR is generally caused by an inflammation of the blood vessels in the muscles of the affected region. The cause of this inflammation is not known and generally occurs in people over 50 years in age. However, there are ways to treat the problem. Along with medication one can also try out various types of alternative treatment options, like osteopathy to treat mild to severe pains in neck and various other places in the body.
When do you need to visit an osteopath?
PMR occurs in many muscles over the body and the most obvious symptoms which suggest you need to opt for osteopathy Macquarie Park are
• Multiple pains and stiffness in the neck and shoulder regions
• Subsequent pain in the hip regions
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Depression due to pain
• Appetite loss
• Anaemia
Several research studies have also shown the close connection between PMR and temporal arteritis. The symptoms of temporal arteritis are:
• Severe Headaches
• Tenderness in the scalp
• Fatigue
• Decreased functionality of limbs
• Facial soreness
• Ache in the limbs
Since causes of this syndrome are not known properly, only a few ways of treatment are available. These are:
• Corticosteroids
• Frequent and proper rest
• Healthy diet
• Exercise
The pain can persist for up to two years before leaving completely. The loss of blood count because of the swollen blood cells can induce anaemia and therefore has to be monitored. There are also no lab tests that can significantly diagnose PMR. There are however certain signs that can be observed such as:
• Elevated Sedimentation Rate
• Signs of Anaemia
• Reduced haemoglobin count
• Reduced hematocrit count
• Unusual protein content in the blood
• Abnormal WBC
These however are not guaranteed diagnoses and are only general observations made on the basis of studies and research.
Studies also show that women are more susceptible to it than men. Also, as has been said before, there is a close link between PMR patients and temporal arteritis patients and half the time, patients are suffering from both.
The most affected muscles are those in the neck, shoulders, hips, thighs and upper arms. Since the pain persists in all the areas, the patient’s mobility is diminished. In cases of temporal arteritis, patients are highly susceptible to Heart Attacks and Strokes because of the low amount of blood that is being pumped. And in such cases, there can also be instances of sudden and temporary blindness which may develop into permanent blindness.