Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition, which affects 2-4% of the general population, targeting women at a rate 9 times that of men. Sufferers are generally diagnosed between 20 and 50 years of age but risk of suffering from fibromyalgia tends to increase with age. Risk also is also increased in those who have suffered from physical or emotional trauma.

Not all symptoms of fibromyalgia are found in all patients, however, the disorder is characterized by chronic, widespread pain, excessive fatigue, and allodynia - pain due to a stimulus which does not normally provoke pain such as light pressure. Further symptoms include tingling of the skin, muscle spasms, weak limbs, nerve pain, bowel problems, and sleep disturbances.

“Brain fog” or “fibrofog” is a term for the mental dysfunction experienced by many sufferers. It is defined by diminished concentration and attention span, short and long term memory loss, diminished speed of mental performance, difficulty multi-tasking, anxiety and depression.

Fibromyalgia is often found together with psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress syndrome. Associated disorders may contribute some symptoms of fibromyalgia. These include chronic myofascial pain (pain in facial muscles); pins and needles or sensation of limbs falling asleep; functional bowel problems and irritable bowel syndrome; symptoms of the urinary system such as urinary bladder disease, characterized by painful or urgent urination and pressure in the pelvic region; dermatological disorders of the skin, hair, or nails; headaches, sudden facial muscle contractions, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

In addition to the extensive pain which characterizes fibromyalgia, there may also be localized pain in the shoulders, neck, low back, or hips, commonly. Facial pain may also occur, as well as a high rate of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).

The chronic pain and fatigue that defines this disorder makes life unbearable for far too many people. The underlying cause has eluded us for decades, but new research offers a possible explanation, and many natural treatments and coping mechanisms are available.

Sciatic symptoms are due to complications affecting the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from the spinal cord in the lower back down the back of each leg. Compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself - or one of the five nerve roots of the sciatic nerve - can cause pain. Sciatica pain is usually felt in the lower back, buttocks, the leg, and/or the foot. The pain is usually felt down the back of the leg and can sometimes be on the sides of the legs as well as the front of the thigh.

Sciatic symptoms include:

• Pain in the buttocks which may worsen while sitting
• Tingling or numbness down the leg
• Leg weakness or difficulty moving to leg
• Pain on one side of the buttocks
• Dull sharp, burning, pain of the buttocks
• Severe shooting pains that make it hard to stand

The symptoms of sciatica are usually only felt on one side of the body. In more extreme cases however, pain can be felt on both sides. Sciatic pain can be mild to very extreme.Some people suffer severe sciatic symptoms to the point where they are debilitated and unable to get out of bed.

Symptoms of sciatica may also be worse for people who are overweight, do not exercise regularly, wear high heels, or sleep on an un-supporting mattress. Exercising and stretching appropriately is extremely important for people who have sciatic nerve pain. They are a variety of different exercises you can do which will be dependent on exactly where your pain is felt. Inactivity can actually cause sciatic symptoms to be worse since it weakens the muscles.