Is fibromyalgia a real illness or just a catchall diagnosis for hypochondria?

Mostly a disease: Fibromyalgia as a distinct disease entity has been controversial for years. There are no labs or x-rays to confirm whether or not the disease is present. Recently specific criteria have been defined and fibromyalgia is recognized as a disease entity.

It is real: In fibromyalgia, certain symptoms often fall together. There are widespread pain, incapacitating fatigue, decreased pain threshold or painful points, depression, and anxiety. People who know little about it, may attribute it to what they call "psychosomatic" illness or "hypochondria" -- as if those are not "real" illnesses either.

Real : To my mind fibromyalgia is musculoskeletal disorder primarily pelvic girdle instability, offset body center of gravity, widespread muscle spasms, multitude of trigger points, disturbed sleep with daytime fatigue, depression, and a true peripheral neuropathy. This etiology suggests cure; natural non-toxic therapies to re-establish symmetric muscle function & improved stations of upright body tower.