A breakdown of the word fibromyalgia helps paint a clear picture of the health condition the term describes. The prefix "fibro" means fiber or fibrous tissue, the term "myo" refers to muscle and "algia" relates to pain. The condition fibromyalgia involves systemic pain, particularly soreness in the joints, soft tissues and tendons. The cause of the disorder remains unknown but it primarily affects females between 20 and 50.

Associated symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, headache, fatigue and depression. No cure exists for the condition but doctors typically recommend non-drug treatment methods to alleviate the pain. If physical therapy, stress relieving activities and regular exercise fail to produce results, physicians resort to prescription of muscle relaxers or antidepressants to reduce pain and help improve the sleep patterns of patients.