We’re repeatedly told that a healthy lifestyle involves regular exercise. If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, you may think, based on the previous statement, that a healthy lifestyle is unattainable for you. If you feel this way, this article will give you information to show you that a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, is absolutely possible.
Many people who live with Fibromyalgia don’t exercise; they know just getting out of bed can be painful and performing normal daily chores can drain every ounce of energy from their body. Some have described it as feeling like having the flu everyday. The thought of exercising when they can’t even finish simple tasks seems ridiculous.
Fibromyalgia is not really a disease, but a syndrome, with multiple symptoms; from muscle spasms and fatigue, to stiffness and aching, painful muscles throughout the body. Medical professionals have been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of fibromyalgia and treatment focuses mainly on alleviating the symptoms. People afflicted with the syndrome suffer not only physically, but often have difficulty sleeping and concentrating and also suffer emotional strain, often leading to depression.
How Does Exercise Help?
At first, it may seem that victims of Fibromyalgia should conserve all their energy and not put any additional stress on the body. The fear of aggravating their symptoms is what keeps many from attempting exercise. But the reality is that exercise could actually help them feel better.
Exercise, done properly, can curtail the degeneration of muscular tissue and the loss of function that frequently accompanies it. Exercise also helps restore good posture, improves muscle tightness, and increase range of motion. An added benefit of regular physical activity is the positive effect it has on mood and emotion, often lifting the fog of depression under which many chronic pain sufferers live.
How to Get Started
The secret to successful exercising with Fibromyalgia is to start slowly. This is important for anyone beginning an exercise program, but even more so for those who have been inactive for long periods of time. Exercise will help relieve your symptoms, but overdoing it too quickly could make them worse.
Only do what you can do, for as long as you can do it. If five minutes, or even three minutes, is all you’re able to do at first, that’s fine. The important thing is to get started and remain consistent. Try to exercise three or four times a week at first, increasing each session by one minute every three days or so. Gradually work your way up to being able to exercise 20-30 minutes at each session.
Start with mild to moderate exercise, such as low impact aerobics; this includes water aerobics, swimming, biking, or walking. Fibromyalgia patients benefit from this type of exercise because it gently increases their strength and endurance.
Other types of exercises which are most often recommended for people with Fibromyalgia include strength training, to help build up weakened muscles and stretching, which helps reduce muscle spasms and ease muscle tension.
When you’re able to exercise for 30 minutes at a time, slowly begin to increase the intensity of your workout. Spend the same amount of time, but walk a bit faster, or bike or swim harder. Eventually you should be able to gradually increase the number of times you exercise each week until you reach the point you’re exercising five to seven times a week. You’ll begin to look better and develop a healthy glow, but more importantly, you’ll begin to feel refreshed and renewed.
