Exercise for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is widespread musculoskeletal pain that is accompanied by fatigue, lack of or disrupted sleep, memory and mood issues and headaches, just to name a few. As much as you don’t want to exercise when in pain, it has been proven and a recommended prescription to improving and managing Fibromyalgia.

According to the US National Institute of Health, fibromyalgia will not cause damage to the joints, muscles, or internal organs. Any gentle activity that gets you moving is good activity. Brisk walking, cycling, swimming, taking the stairs, yoga and guided strength training etc all have benefits for improving and managing your pain.

Strength training is not as scary as you may think. If it is done by a professional in a controlled and guided one on one session then strength training will not increase your pain symptoms but will increase muscle mass that has weakened. Lack of activity and Fibromyalgia produce muscle weakness so exercise and strength training can also improve endurance and mobility, lubricate your joints, improve your mental outlook so you can tolerate the pain as well as engaging your brain in mind and body connection as Fibromyalgia affects the signals that the brain processes from the body.

Other ways to help alleviate your pain is to eat healthy and avoid processed food, relax with methods such as breathing exercises, meditation and massage. Massage can help alleviate aches and pains and make you feel brand new again.