Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia
Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia – Information, Exercises, and More
Have you been living with fibromyalgia for too long and you’ve had enough?
Are you searching for help?
Living with the constant widespread pain caused by fibromyalgia is exhausting. And it can feel like there’s nothing out there that can relieve the pain.
Thankfully, there are resources available.
Whether you’re trying to discover if fibromyalgia may be something you’re suffering from, or you’re looking for ways to treat your diagnosed fibromyalgia, this guide can help.
In this guide, we’re discussing everything you need to know about fibromyalgia and what treatment options are available to you.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes widespread pain all over your body. The constant muscle tenderness is often accompanied by sleep, mood, and memory issues along with an array of other symptoms.
Fibromyalgia affects nearly 4 million adults in the United States and is more common in women than men — but it is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
Although there is no cure for the disease, there are several ways — medications, exercises, and other treatments — to control your symptoms.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Unfortunately, the cause of fibromyalgia isn’t really known.
Researchers believe that fibromyalgia affects the way your brain processes pain signals (the neurotransmitters) and amplifies the sensation of pain throughout your body.
And although there are no known causes, there are several risk factors that can come into play.
Risk Factors for Fibromyalgia
Some of the most widely known risk factors for fibromyalgia include:
- Age – Although anyone can be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it is most commonly diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20-50. As you age your chances of developing fibromyalgia increase.
- Gender – As stated earlier, women are more likely to suffer from fibromyalgia than men. Scientists think this is because women experience pain differently than men.
- Hormones, like estrogen, make the female body much more sensitive to pain.
- Family history – if a family member has fibromyalgia, you are more likely to be diagnosed with the disease.
- Trauma – Physical and emotional trauma can trigger the condition — it is unlikely that the trauma causes fibromyalgia, but it may trigger the onset of the disease for people who have other risk factors.
- Other disorders – disorders like lupus, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis, can put you at higher risk for fibromyalgia. This may be because chronic pain from these disorders may lead the brain to become highly sensitized to things that wouldn’t normally hurt.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
As a chronic pain condition, one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia is widespread pain.
With fibromyalgia, people describe the symptoms as aching all over, but there are a number of other symptoms you may experience, including:
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain, burning or twitching
- Fibro fog
- Depression and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Stomach problems — like irritable bowel syndrome
- Numbness in your face, arms, legs, hands or feet
Unfortunately, there are no tests that make diagnosing fibromyalgia easy.
Because the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are like those of other conditions, your doctor may start the diagnosis by ruling out other conditions first.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
The best treatment plan for your fibromyalgia will be based on the symptoms you are having. Fibromyalgia can be managed through medications and different treatment strategies, like:
- Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers
- Low impact muscle strengthening exercises
- Physical therapy for fibromyalgia
- Stress management techniques
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Massage
- Temporomandibular pain
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic manipulation
Fibromyalgia Physical Therapy – Will PT Help?
Does physical therapy help fibromyalgia?
Yes, in fact, it can.
Physical therapy for fibromyalgia is a very common treatment option for many sufferers.
A Doctor of Physical Therapy can help:
- Manage your pain
- Increase energy levels
- Become more active
- Improve range of motion
Living with fibromyalgia can be overwhelming and even debilitating, but with the right help, it doesn’t have to be. Your physical therapist can help increase your quality of life by providing you with the best treatment plan for you.
Best Fibromyalgia Exercises
For many fibromyalgia sufferers, the thought of exercising to ease some of their symptoms sounds impossible. And although it may not seem like it, exercising can help you take your life back.
Talk with your doctor or physical therapist about exercises you can do at home to help relieve your pain. They may recommend some of the following exercises.
Aerobic Exercises
People living with fibromyalgia have a decrease in symptoms when they do aerobic exercises regularly.
One study found that women who performed light physical exercises, like aerobics experienced less pain, fatigue, and overall symptoms of the disease.
Simple exercises like walking, swimming, or biking can help build up your strength and stamina over time.
Stretching
Stretching is commonly suggested by doctors and physical therapists to relieve fibromyalgia pain. In fact, stretching helps ease muscle stiffness and boosts blood circulation.
Yoga, for example, can help relieve muscle tension.
How In Motion O.C. Can Help With Fibromyalgia
As the number one physical therapy clinic in America according to Yelp! and Google, In Motion O.C. is committed to giving hope, healing, confidence, and joy to others.
We’ve helped hundreds of patients manage their fibromyalgia symptoms and get back to living a life of more enjoyment and less stress.
No one should have to live every day in pain. We’re here to help.
Our therapists are the best of the best — our Doctors of Physical Therapy are trained on the most up-to-date techniques, equipment, and treatment options available.
If you’ve been Googling “Physical therapy for fibromyalgia near me,” look no further.
In Motion O.C. is ready to help you take control of your fibromyalgia symptoms. Schedule a free consultation with us today.
*This information about physical therapy for Fibromyalgia was reviewed by Dr Natalie Thomas, PT, DPT. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.
