Bill Summary
This legislation recognizes amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (AMPS) as a medical condition that causes individuals to experience abnormal pain reflexes. It acknowledges that AMPS is caused by psychological stress, injury, and illness, and can manifest in various forms, affecting both children and adults. The legislation also acknowledges the difficulty in diagnosing and treating AMPS, and expresses support for designating a National Awareness Day to bring attention to this condition and promote effective treatment methods.
Possible Impacts
1. The legislation could raise awareness about AMPS and its effects on individuals, particularly minors, making it easier for them to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.
2. It could also result in increased funding for research and treatment of AMPS, providing more options for those suffering from the condition.
3. The designation of a national awareness day could lead to increased support and understanding from the community, reducing stigma and helping individuals with AMPS feel more accepted and supported.
[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 856 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 856
Expressing support for the designation of ``National Amplified
Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome Awareness Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 14, 2021
Ms. Wild (for herself and Mr. Fitzpatrick) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of ``National Amplified
Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome Awareness Day''.
Whereas amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome (in this preamble referred to as
``AMPS'') is a medical condition that causes individuals to experience
an abnormal pain reflex that causes constriction of blood vessels,
bones, and skin, which deprives muscles of appropriate oxygenation and
results in acid buildup;
Whereas AMPS amplifies a mild pain signal into an extremely painful signal;
Whereas the 3 main causes of AMPS are psychological stress, injury, and illness;
Whereas there are numerous types of AMPS, including complex regional pain
syndrome, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, neuropathic pain,
psychogenic pain, and reflex neurovascular dystrophy;
Whereas amplified pain in children is not well studied but is known to include
localized pain and diffuse pain and is estimated to affect 2 percent to
6 percent of children;
Whereas 6 to 12 percent of children have fibromyalgia and 87 percent of children
that meet fibromyalgia criteria are female;
Whereas 80 percent of children with AMPS are preadolescent or adolescent girls
and the typical patient is a teenage girl with a pain rating of ``10 out
of 10'';
Whereas symptoms can occur acutely or take weeks to develop and may include pain
in one or multiple limbs, pain throughout the whole body or in the
abdomen, headaches, skin temperature changes, skin color changes,
swelling of the affected extremity, vascular changes, conversions, and
allodynia;
Whereas AMPS is difficult to diagnose and patients often see multiple
specialists and are prescribed a variety of unsuccessful medications,
procedures, and surgeries to treat their pain, which perpetuates the
symptoms of AMPS and burdens families with additional health care costs;
Whereas pediatric amplified pain is being diagnosed with greater frequency but
has no known cure;
Whereas once diagnosed, treatment and therapy focused on aerobic exercise,
physical and occupational therapy, stress management, and counseling
have proven to be more effective than the administration of pain
management medications and more invasive procedures;
Whereas the treatment goal is to restore function and return a child to the
child's prior functional level at school, in sports, and in leisure
activities; and
Whereas when patients are in treatment focused on aerobic exercise, physical and
occupational therapy, and stress management and counseling, patients see
a significant reduction in their pain according to published studies:
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome
(``AMPS'') and the effects it has on those who are afflicted,
particularly the minor population; and
(2) supports the designation of ``National Amplified
Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome Awareness Day''.
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