Myalgia means pain within the muscles and sufferers of both fibromyalgia and polymyalgia experience severe muscle pain. However, there are considerable differences between the two conditions:

• Polymyalgia is an inflammation of the muscles, while fibromyalgia is due to the central nervous system incorrectly processing sensory information. 
• In polymyalgia the pain is within the neck, shoulders and hips, while in fibromyalgia it is throughout the body.
• Other symptoms of polymyalgia include flu-like symptoms, weakness and weightloss while fibromyalgia sufferers may experience fatigue, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome.

Both conditions are more common in women than men. Fibromyalgia can occur at any age while the average age of onset for polymyalgia is 70 with it very rarely occurring in people under the age of 50. Fibromyalgia is a lifetime condition, while polymyalgia usually resolves itself within two years.

In this video, Joel Poirier discusses the two conditions and what steps can be taken to help relieve some of the pain associated with them.

Elite Therapy is a multidisciplinary sports therapy and physiotherapy clinic in Coventry. We treat a range of injuries both sporting and non-sporting as well as back, neck and musculoskeletal pain. Elite Therapy’s services include assessment and diagnosis, physiotherapy, sports therapy, massage therapy, taping and ultrasound. There is also an on-site rehabilitation gym and studio for the Pilates and yoga classes.