Before discussing fibromyalgia and exercise, we need to answer the question, what is fibromyalgia disease? Here is a helpful guide about fibromyalgia, and how exercise can help to relieve the symptoms.
What is Fibromyalgia?
This is a crucial question to consider before talking about the link between fibromyalgia and exercise. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder whose cause and cure experts are not yet familiar with.What are the Causes of Fibromyalgia?
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At this juncture, experts simply don't know. However, what they do know is that the disorder tends to be genetic. Also, it overwhelmingly occurs in more women than men. Typically fibromyalgia involves the brain. Experts also seem to think that the disorder is induced and worsened by factors such as exhaustion, stress, injury, and sickness.What are the
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
The disorder can actually cause several symptoms. Pain and exhaustion are the primary ones. However,
several other symptoms are possible, including:
- digestive disorders
- headaches
- sleeping disorders
- stiffness
urinary disorders Unfortunately, there are some situations that make the disorder complex. For example, the symptoms can stop and start at virtually any time, and increase or decrease in intensity.
Furthermore, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can move throughout the entire body. Besides being complex, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can also be devastating. In fact, they can create challenges in the sufferers' day-to-day life, and can be totally draining. How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Just as the symptoms of fibromyalgia are somewhat of an enigma, so is the diagnoses. Here's the typical process. Physicians must use the process of elimination to verify that the sufferer doesn't have lupus or multiple sclerosis. That's because such diseases have similar symptoms. Physicians can then use official criteria to diagnose a patient as having fibromyalgia.What are the Treatments of Fibromyalgia?
Some good news is that there are several symptoms to relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. They include acupuncture, massage therapy, and prescription drugs.
Researchers have also discovered that fibromyalgia and exercise can help to relieve the symptoms of the disorder. While the exercise can be quite challenging at first, one can initially do workouts lasting 2-3 minutes, and then gradually increase their tolerance.How do exercises benefit fibromyalgia sufferers?
For those suffering from fibromyalgia, there are several benefits of physical exercises. Here are some of them:Strengthen tendons and ligaments: Both of these are crucial to your day-to-day movement, which highlights the importance of fibromyalgia and exercise. The tendon is tough connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones. One of its most important features is the ability to withstand pressure. The main role of the ligaments is to connect the different bones of your body. Improve muscle tone: While fibromyalgia can weaken muscles, exercise can boost muscle tone. That helps to reduce weakness and spasms in muscles. Increase blood flow to muscles: Our muscles need sufficient blood, in order for their cells to function properly. Studies show that the forming of fibromyalgia may be related to decreased blood flow to muscles. Experts recommend that sufferers of the disease use various types of treatments, including exercise. Release stress on joints: One of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is the accumulation of excess fluid on a person's joints. This is known as "joint effusion." It causes the body part containing the joint to appear swollen. Exercise is one method for reducing the stress resulting from excess fluid in the joint. Increase flexibility: Because fibromyalgia can impact your joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles, you shouldn't be surprised that it can also reduce your flexibility. Fortunately, doing certain exercises can help to restore some of that flexibility. Increase endorphins that the hypothalamus releases: The hypothalamus is located slightly above the brain stem. It's responsible for various functions of the autonomic nervous system. The release of endorphins help to create a "high" when a person is exercising. Thus, exercising will help to improve the overall mood of a person suffering from fibromyalgia. Encourage weight loss: The fact that exercise can result in weight-loss shouldn't be surprising. But there's also a link between weight loss, fibromyalgia and exercise. The reason is that there are several factors that are related to the disorder. In particular, fibromyalgia can result in hormonal imbalances. That can cause one's metabolism to slow down, ultimately resulting in weight-gain. Decrease the risk of certain conditions: These include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and diabetes. Such conditions are some of the most dangerous ones in terms of your overall health, and tend to be common among those who suffer from fibromyalgia. Fortunately, one can combine fibromyalgia and exercise to help reduce the risk of such conditions. What are the best exercises for those with fibromyalgia?
While there are several exercises to choose from, certain ones can be particularly effective in relieving the symptoms of the disorder. Here are some of the best ones:Aerobics: Exercises such as jogging and biking can provide several benefits for those with fibromyalgia.Golfing: You don't have to be Tiger Woods to enjoy the health benefits of golfing.Pilates: The stretching and relaxation of these exercises are fantastic for those suffering from fibromyalgia.Stretching: This is one of the easiest yet most versatile exercises that you can do.Swimming: Gives your joints a great workout, while the no-impact component protects them.Tai Chi: It's somewhat like karate without the contact. Tai Chi is an excellent exercise that people of all ages can benefit from.Walking: An excellent low-impact exercise that you can do indoors or outdoors.Weight-Training: You don't have to lift twice your body weight to benefit from weight-training. The key is to use weight-resistance for strengthening your muscles, bones, and all the components around them.Yoga: Besides the physical benefits of twisting your body into a pretzel, it's also good for your cardiovascular system.
It can be a challenge to live with
fibromyalgia and exercise can help with
pain management to make it easier to live with.
