Women Working in Pain:
Accommodating
Fibromyalgia
BY KATHY ESPINOZA
Did you know that in 2025, approximately 2% of the adult
population in the United States is estimated to have fibromyalgia?
This translates to around 4 million adults. It has a higher prevalence
in women, particularly between the ages of 20 and 55. Individuals
with other rheumatic diseases or chronic pain conditions typically
have an increased risk of developing fibromyalgia.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), fibromyalgia is a
condition that causes pain all over the body, and can cause sleep
problems, fatigue, and emotional and mental distress. People with
fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without
fibromyalgia. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic believe that
fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way the
brain processes pain signals.
As an ergonomist, I have
encountered more and more women
performing their jobs in pain. Women
are much more likely to work in
office, administrative and clerical
environments. During the
ergonomics evaluation, they disclose
they have fibromyalgia. The stories I
hear from these women are
heartbreaking.
“At first, I thought I was coming down
with the flu. I ached all over. I would
wake up in the middle of the night
from the pain. I didn't know what
was wrong with me. I was so tired
most days that I would be in bed by
6:00, but I couldn't sleep. And I
didn't even have the strength to
open my eyes and watch TV. As a
single working mom, I had 2 children
to take care of. But there I would be
in bed, and my kids would sit on the
edge of the bed and just look at me. I
finally went to a rheumatologist and
was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.” –
CP