Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain throughout the body. Fibromyalgia affects 2–8% of the population and can affect anyone at any age.
There is no cure for the disease, nor is the disease completely understood; however, there are various methods, which you can utilize to help alleviate some of the painful and unpleasant symptoms.
Fibromyalgia can begin at any age, young or old. In some circumstances, children can be affected by the disease and older people as well. While its exact cause is currently unknown, it is thought to be contributed by physiological, genetic and environmental factors.
While there are various remedies that can help to control the pain, the pain cannot be completely stopped or cured. During an evaluation of 322 people, none reported improvements of the disease with age.
Fibromyalgia’s symptoms range in severity, depending on the person. People have either a small painful sensation felt throughout their body, and others have reported severe pain. The pain is rather consistent and does not wane with age.
Fibromyalgia’s prognosis is positive, though. If you are suffering from the disease, you will likely live a long life. Fibromyalgia is not degenerative nor is it fatal. Everyone is different when it comes to having the disease’s pain managed. Some respond better to treatments than other.
First off, how does exercise help to alleviate Fibromyalgia pain? It is not completely understood, especially because the diseases itself is not yet fully understood. It is thought, however, that exercising helps to lubricate the joints and pressure point areas in the body.
The joints are a common area where people typically have the most pain. Symptoms can range from joint pain to swallowing problems. Again, not every Fibromyalgia sufferer is the same and does not have the same symptoms, which is why not every exercise is going to work the same for everyone.
Medications have been found to help alleviate symptoms in some sufferers; however, not every sufferer has found relief with drugs. People taking drugs to manage pain complain of fatigue and thus, become less active.
Unlike those who take drugs, people who begin a light exercise regiment find that their symptoms decrease over time. Everybody can do something, even if it is a short, brisk walk. Every bit of exercise can help to manage the disease.
Below are various exercises that can help to manage Fibromyalgia symptoms. It is important, however, to begin exercising slowly to prevent injury. Most Fibromyalgia sufferers have not exercised much and, therefore, are not used to it. Every Fibromyalgia suffer reacts differently to treatment. One treatment may not work as well for another sufferer of the disease.
Physical Therapy for Children and Teens
In children and teens, Fibromyalgia is often treated with vigorous physical therapy. Other programs for treatment include art therapy, music therapy, and counseling. When children and teens suffer from the disease at a young age, it becomes important to use vigorous treatments to help control the disease as much as possible.
It is easier to manage the disease at the onset. Recent studies have found that long-term physical therapy for children and teen Fibromyalgia sufferers have had a pain resolution of 88%. While children and teens have had tremendous and promising success at treating their pain with physical therapy, it has not been researched in adults.
Cardio Exercise
Walking is a good exercise because it is a low-impact activity. You can do it almost anywhere, as long as you have a large enough space to walk. You can walk at the mall, the store, the track or a field. There are very few places where walking is not possible. Walking does not require a lot of energy and can be done rather easily.
If you are suffering from high levels of pain, walking is the best choice of exercise because you do not have to over-exert yourself. You can work out at your own pace. Every little bit of physical activity will help to exercise your joints, which may help to alleviate Fibromyalgia pain.
Swimming
Swimming is very good for Fibromyalgia pain because it helps to exercise the joints. Swimming works well for your joints because your body defies gravity when in the water, preventing any unpleasant and potentially-damaging pressure on your joints, which may cause you additional pain. Aquatic-based activities a few times a week are all that are needed to help manage symptoms.
Yoga
Yoga is the art of stretching and breathing. If you are suffering from chronic pain as a result of Fibromyalgia, consider doing some gentle breathing exercises to begin, and then advance to some stretching.
Steven Calvino, MD, an assistant professor of anesthesiology and rehabilitation medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York City recommends only doing certain stretching. Advancing too quickly could mean injuring yourself. You should consider starting with a few easy stretches each time. But with daily Yoga, you will begin to notice less pain in your joints, which will improve your daily life.
Stretching Whenever You Can
An easy exercise routine that most people never consider is simple stretching. The great part is you can stretch anywhere and anytime. Stretching, like Yoga, relieves pressure in your joints. You should consider stretching a few times a day. Whether it is at your desk at work or at home, take a few minutes and stretch. You may begin to notice pain relief in your joints.
Light-Weight Strength Training
If you are suffering from chronic pain as a result of Fibromyalgia, light weight training daily will help to strengthen your muscles. If your muscles become stronger, as the result of weight training, you will experience less pressure on your joints when you use them, and you, therefore, will experience less pain.
Overall, Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain throughout your body, in some circumstances, your joints. Though the disease is not terminal, it can cause discomfort in everyday life. With light exercises daily, you can help to manage your pain, which can help improve your life. Finding remedies to help alleviate your discomfort does not have to be hard. Do not let the pain control you, consider doing these exercises to relieve your pain.
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