Do you or someone you love have fibromyalgia? This condition can cause considerable pain and distress. It’s estimated that just under 6-million people in the United States alone suffer from this disorder, leaving millions of people in widespread pain every day.
Fortunately, while few effective medical interventions exist, holistic therapies work wonders for the disorder. One of the natural treatments that serve best is physical exercise. While performing movements may sound like the last thing you want to do in a fibro flare, pushing yourself to do even just some exercise, may improve your symptoms significantly.
What Is Fibromyalgia and How Does It Impact Activity Levels?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, which is often accompanied by memory and mood changes. Researchers are still unsure about what causes the condition. Sometimes it develops after a physical trauma such as an accident or surgery, while other times, symptoms grow progressively worse with no identifiable cause.
Some scientists classify fibromyalgia as a cousin to arthritis disorders, and people with rheumatoid arthritis or lupus are more likely to develop the disease. Fibromyalgia patients are three times more likely to experience depression than their peers. This phenomenon isn’t surprising when you consider that some doctors continue to dismiss the condition. Plus, chronic pain often leads to adverse financial situations.
When it comes to movement, you might not want to work out at all when a flare makes your symptoms worsen. However, getting off the couch might be your best recipe for relief. One 2017 review found that aerobic exercise improves both pain and physical function, although it didn’t necessarily eliminate fatigue. If you’re looking to treat your fibromyalgia holistically, give the following activities a try.
