Do you, or someone you know suffer from the severe and debilitating pain we often referred to as Fibromyalgia? Did you know your Physical Therapist is an excellent resource for treating your Fibromyalgia? While you might think most people who suffer from Fibromyalgia tend to be middle aged women, there is a growing population among men as well. As Physical Therapists, we have revolutionary techniques and ways to help you with your chronic pain at our disposal.
Doctors are unsure what causes Fibromyalgia, but they have found some links including: heredity factors, physical and emotional stresses, and illnesses. According to researchers at the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, “Current thinking centers around a theory called central sensitization. This theory states that people with Fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals.” Simply put, as someone with Fibromyalgia, you are much more sensitive to pain.
Oftentimes, the symptoms you experience with Fibromyalgia, (intense aching, pain, stiffness and severe fatigue) will be eased with gentle activity, including appropriately graded exercises and stretching. By improving your overall strength, flexibility, and stamina your pain and fatigue will be remarkably decreased. As Physical Therapists, we specialize in treating chronic pain syndromes, and can also teach you about various pain relief options available, including laser therapy and using appropriate massage techniques.
There are no clear-cut objective tests for Fibromyalgia. Your doctor can not see it with special imaging (such as x-ray or MRI), nor with specific blood testing. It is a diagnosis given by your doctor strictly based upon the symptoms you present to your Physician. Basicly, there are several “pressure points” the physician will check for tenderness, and depending upon the area and severity, you might be diagnosed as having “Fibromyalgia”.
With that diagnosis, some initial treatments physicians might prescribe for your pain would involve pain medications and muscle relaxers. Physicians might also prescribe various medicines to address the chronic depression and your over stimulated nerve endings. However, it is extremely important for you to take control of your body, and initiate treatments for strengthening and stretching, restoring you to your desired functional abilities.
– Light graded stretching will help decrease the stiffness and tightness of your muscles, leading to improved mobility and decreased pain.
– Gently graded aerobic exercising such as walking will improve the endurance of your heart and lungs, and lead to improved stamina for daily activities.
– Aquatic (water) exercising is wonderful for working with your Fibromyalgia as well. The warm water will help soothe the aches and pains of your joints, while the added buoyancy makes exercising easier.
– This increased activity level with lead your body into a more active metabolism, helping to flush the toxins out of your muscle, fascial, and connective tissues.
Two things you should be cautious of when working through your fibromyalgia. Excessive inactivity (being a couch potato) is truly the worst thing you can do, while the second worst thing to do is excessive activity. When beginning to increase your activity level, it is important to not over work yourself in the beginning. Try to restrain your desire to get up and run, but rather gently increase your exercise intensity, gradually building up your strength and endurance at reasonable levels. To accomplish this safely, it is important to work with your health care providers, including your family physician and your Physical Therapist.
Ask to speak with your Physical Therapist today if you have any chronic pain symptoms, or have been told you have Fibromyalgia. No matter what part of your body hurts, your Physical Therapist can help you unlock your inner healing potential through amazing and revolutionary techniques. Also, I would highly recommend working with a Physical Therapist who gives a 100% satisfaction or your money back guarantee.
Jesse Elliott, DPT is a therapist at Siskiyou Physical Therapy. He has worked and studied in outpatient orthopedic clinical settings for over 10 years, and enjoys helping his clients unlock their inner healing potential. Here at Siskiyou Physical Therapy, our Physical Therapists are highly trained clinicians who are Doctors of Physical Therapy. We specialize in improving your mobility, and training you, the individual, to become fully independent in a short amount of time. You can contact us directly at 1-800-958-2588, or via our website at http://www.siskiyoupt.com for more information regarding our revolutionary treatments available.
