Fibromyalgia is a very real condition which is widely misunderstood. Because those who live with fibromyalgia may soldier on despite the pain they’re often in, people tend to think that because they don’t “look sick”, that they’re either hypochondriacs or fishing for attention.
And that’s really sad.
I treat fibromyalgia sufferers, so I know what you go through. But there’s a lot of hope in active, intentional self-care to keep yourself feeling better by managing the pain that comes with the condition.
So those of you asking “fibromyalgia – what are some good exercises?”, I’m here to offer a little light and air.
You Need to Exercise
This is the refrain of doctors of all disciplines, everywhere. That’s because it’s a home truth. Fibromyalgia sufferers are no different – they can manage the pain with exercise. But when you hurt, the prospect of exercise is often one you don’t relish.
Getting past that is the first step toward a less painful life. And once you do that, you’ll see what I mean. When you take your wellness in your own hands, you’re empowered to improve it.
And walking is one of the best exercises out there for the management of fibromyalgia pain.
A low-impact, aerobic form of exercise, it’s safe, free to participate in and gets your heart, lungs and muscles working for you. Every body needs that.
Start with just 10-minute walks, several times a day. You’ll build up as you go along and find that, before you know it, you’re walking for a half hour and then, an hour.
Aquatic Exercise
Heat is another friend of fibromyalgia pain. Getting into a warm pool and performing strength exercises is a safe way to get the relief you need.
The resistance of the water is all you need to make the movements count. You’re safe, as there’s no impact and you’re working muscles that need to move to feel their best. And your joints will be super happy from the absence of impact!
Stretching
Stretching is an underrated form of exercise which serves to relax and lengthen muscles. When accompanied by exercises to relax your body and mind, accompanied by controlled breathing, stretching can go a long way toward easing the pain of fibromyalgia.
Minding your posture is part of using stretching for fibromyalgia pain. When you’re in pain, you tend to distort your body, attempting to protect yourself against the pain. Good posture is something you need to pursue every moment, whether sitting or standing.
Posture which is mindfully pursued has the effect of strengthening your muscles everywhere, making it more resilient in the face of pain. Part of good posture is having a strong core and interestingly, the better your posture is, the stronger your core will be.
Fibromyalgia doesn’t need to rule your life. You rule your life and exercise can be your secret weapon for doing that.
Back & Body Medical
Back & Body is a multi-disciplinarian pain clinic in the heart of Manhattan. Fibromyalgia sufferers will find support here. Contact us.
