Your doctor will test your response to pressure in precise locations of your body, called “tender points.” Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when a person has pain in 11 out of 18 tender points, in all four quadrants of the body (on both sides of the body, above and below the waist), and if the pain has lasted for at least three months.

If your family doctor suspects that you have fibromyalgia, he or she may refer you to a specialist called a rheumatologist. Look for a doctor who has a holistic approach, who will work in partnership with you to manage your symptoms and attain a better quality of life, one who understands that this condition can affect many, if not all, areas of your life.