A number of tests may be done to rule out other disorders. An examination reveals multiple tender areas on the back of the neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back, hip, shin, elbows or knees.

A dolorimeter, an instrument that distributes pressure over a specific area, is sometimes used to gain data about patients and their individual sites of pain.

Other underlying ailments such as chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, can also be present. New patients should be checked for these underlying conditions as well as fibromyalgia