Fibromyalgia is a debilitating chronic illness characterized by diffuse pain, fatigue, and a wide range of other symptoms. It is a syndrome, not a disease. It is not contagious, and appears to have a genetic component. It affects more women than men, mostly between ages 20 and 50. It is seen in 3-10% of the general population. The nature of fibromyalgia is not well understood.

The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread, diffuse pain, often including heightened sensitivity of the skin (that may make the touch of clothing painful), aches around joints, and nerve pain. Other symptoms often attributed to fibromyalgia (though possibly due to another "co-morbid" disorder) are physical fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, genitourinary symptoms, dermatological disorders, headaches, and symptomatic hypoglycemia. Although it is common in fibromyalgia sufferers for pain to be widespread, it may also be localized in areas such as the shoulders, neck, back, hips, or other areas. Not all patients have all symptoms.

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