BACKGROUND

Field of the Disclosure

This disclosure generally relates to treating people suffering from fibromyalgia, and more particularly to a non-pharmaceutical method of treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Discussion of the Background

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened pain response to pressure. Other symptoms include tiredness to a degree that normal activities are affected, sleep problems and troubles with memory. Some people also report restless legs syndrome, bowel or bladder problems, numbness and tingling and sensitivity to noise, lights or temperature. Fibromyalgia is frequently associated with depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Other types of chronic pain are also frequently present.

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown; however, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with each playing a substantial role. The condition runs in families and many genes are believed to be involved. Environmental factors may include psychological stress, trauma and certain infections. The pain appears to result from processes in the central nervous system and the condition is referred to as a “central sensitization syndrome.” Fibromyalgia is recognized as a disorder by the US National Institutes of Health and the American College of Rheumatology.

The treatment of fibromyalgia can be difficult. Recommendations often include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be helpful. The medications duloxetine, milnacipran, or pregabalin may be used. Use of opioid pain medication is controversial, with some stating their usefulness is poorly supported by evidence and others saying that weak opioids may be reasonable if other medications are not effective. Dietary supplements lack evidence to support their use. While fibromyalgia can last a long time, it does not result in death or tissue damage.

Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2-8% of the population. Women are affected about twice as often as men. Rates appear similar in different areas of the world and among different cultures. (Wikipedia contributors. “Fibromyalgia.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 26 Jun. 2019. Web. 2 Jul. 2019).

Thus, there is a need for tools and methods for treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a nonpharmaceutical method of treating symptoms of fibromyalgia.

It is one aspect of certain embodiments to provide a method of treating fibromyalgia. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a sensory stimulus to a person, wherein the sensory stimulus includes one or more visual stimuli and one or more auditory stimuli.

It is another aspect to provide a system for treating fibromyalgia. The system includes a headset configured to be worn on a head of a person; wherein the headset is configured to administer a therapeutically effective amount of a sensory stimulus to the person; and wherein the sensory stimulus includes one or more visual stimuli and one or more auditory stimuli.

It is another aspect to provide a method to treat one or more symptoms of fibromyalgia, where the symptoms may include one or more of anxiety, pain, depression, and lack of quality of sleep.

It is yet another aspect to provide a method of treating fibromyalgia. The method includes providing a headset to be worn by the person; and administering, with the headset, the therapeutically effective amount of a sensory stimulus to the person.

In certain embodiments sensory stimulus is provided to a person using devices and methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/360,808 (the '808 patent application) and in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/910,252 (the '252 patent application). The '808 and '252 patent applications are co-owned with the present patent application and are both herein included by way of incorporation in their entirety.

These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description are attained by the method of the present disclosure, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

