Pains. Aches. Fatigue. Sleep disturbances. These are all aspects of a condition called fibromyalgia. If you suffer from this issue, you are all too familiar with these frustrations and the limitations they bring. You are probably tired of feeling the general malaise that overtakes most people who have fibromyalgia. Also, you likely wish with all your heart that your body aches would subside so that you could return to the physically active life you had before fibromyalgia was part of it. Do you identify with any of these feelings?
The Trap of the Pain-Inactivity-Pain Cycle
One of the most annoying things about having fibromyalgia is trying to cope with the pain that accompanies it. Some people hurt so badly that they opt to partially or totally avoid physical activity. This is understandable. However, inactivity does not keep fibromyalgia pain at bay; it makes it worse.
Fibromyalgia pain scares people into a sedentary lifestyle, which only increases their pain and inflammation. This pain-inactivity-pain cycle is vicious, and it must be broken. The only way to stop this cycle is to become more physically active. This is best done under the care of a physiotherapist.
Stop Fibromyalgia Pain with Physiotherapy
Image courtesy of pixabay.com
Did you know that physiotherapy often eases fibromyalgia pain? Physiotherapist Anne Reicherter said that physiotherapy helps people with fibromyalgia “manage their daily living with less pain.” This promise is music to the ears of those who struggle with this condition. Additionally, Reicherter mentioned that “(physiotherapy) can also eventually reduce the need for pain medication, and possibly even surgery.”
Physiotherapy does more for fibromyalgia patients than quell their aches and pains – it also helps eradicate sleep disturbances. The article How Physiotherapy Eases Fibromyalgia Pain states, “Working with a (physiotherapist) can help you get the exercise you need for a good night’s rest.” How many fibromyalgia patients will say a hearty “amen” to that?
Specific Ways Physiotherapists Help Fibromyalgia Patients
The primary way a physiotherapist helps fibromyalgia patients is by teaching them to regularly participate in safe forms of physical activity. This is an extremely effective method of reducing inflammation, strengthening the body, reducing pain, improving sleep, and promoting a good mood. Physiotherapists also ease the negative side effects of fibromyalgia by:
- Helping patients to properly stretch their muscles
- Providing various types of therapeutic massage
- Administering hydrotherapy
It’s important that patients allow a trained physiotherapist to guide them through a fibromyalgia-specific physiotherapy program. This keeps patients from making their condition worse. The article Fibromyalgia and Physical Therapy explains that a physiotherapist “documents your progress and gauges whether you’re practicing good therapy habits, alignments, and movement patterns when doing ‘homework’ or exercises at home.” On many levels, a physiotherapist can be valuable to someone dealing with fibromyalgia.
Physiotherapists can do a great deal of good for most fibromyalgia patients. Will you allow physiotherapy to change your life for the better? If so, contact a physiotherapist near you to discuss an evaluation.