Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition where people experience varying levels of fatigue, headaches, stiffness and pain in the muscles and joints throughout the body. Fibromyalgia is generally referred to as a syndrome, as it has specific signs and symptoms that occur together.
Symptoms and characteristics:
Fibromyalgia is not considered progressive or life threatening however symptoms vary in intensity from mild to severe and can fluctuate. Symptoms may be present every day, or recur in bouts lasting days, weeks or months and are unlikely to disappear fully given there is no recognised cure. Commonly reported symptoms include:
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generalised or area specific pain (burning, throbbing, sharp, aching) which can vary from mild to severe
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mild fatigue through to exhaustion
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joint stiffness which is often worse in the mornings
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difficulty sleeping
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headaches
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numbness in the hands and feet
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other health conditions.
Living with the pain, fatigue and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia can for some also result in fluctuations to mood.
Workplace solutions and adjustments:
In the workplace there are various factors that would assist people with fibromyalgia to better manage their symptoms. These include:
- flexible work conditions to accommodate breaks and time off when symptoms become problematic or medical treatment is required
- ensuring the workplace is set up in line with energy conservation principles such as; all frequently used items being within easy reach or stored between hip and shoulder height
- capacity for rotation between physically demanding tasks and lighter tasks as a way of building in breaks without having to stop work
- on-the-job support to identify whether adaptive equipment could overcome any workplace barriers related to symptoms, or changes to a work role or change to how a job task is undertaken is required ((Better Health Channel 2007; MDA Internet 2005; Arthritis Australia 2007).
For each of these aspects, solutions are available to support people with fibromyalgia:
Employers of people with disability may be eligible for free workplace assessments and modifications through the Workplace Modifications Scheme. The Workplace Modifications Scheme pays for the costs involved in modifying the workplace or purchasing special equipment for employees with disability. To determine eligibility, please refer to the full guidelines:
References:
Arthritis Australia 2007, Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet, Arthritis Australia, Sydney, viewed 24 October 2008, http://arthritisaustralia.com.au/media/file/Fibromyalgia.pdf
Arthritis Australia 2007, Saving Energy Fact Sheet, Arthritis Australia, Sydney, viewed 24 October 2008, http://arthritisaustralia.com.au/media/file/Saving%20energy.pdf
Better Health Channel 2008, Fibromyalgia, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 24 October 2008, http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Fibromyalgia?open
MDA Internet 2007, Reed Group, Colorado, viewed 25 February 2007, http://www.mdainternet.com/ (secure site).