Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition. When a person is suffering from the pain of fibromyalgia, exercise may be the furthest thing from his or her mind. However, getting some physical activity each day is an important factor in keeping the joints mobile and reducing pain. If you or a loved one are suffering from fibromyalgia, how can you maintain some physical activity? Here are 4 suggestions.
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Even walking just 10 minutes per day can have a beneficial effect on circulation and the joints. Be sure to stretch before and after to limit sore muscles, as soreness may prevent you from wanting to maintain the good routine.
Going for a swim can be great exercise if you struggle with muscle or joint pain. The resistance of the water provides an excellent way to provide tension for the muscles and the joints without stressing them.
You may have to get one of the kids to run the vacuum, but if you can handle some of the easier household chores, a little bit of work around the house can go a long way. If you use a fitness tracker, you may be surprised to find how many steps you take while simply dusting the house.
To work your way up to other forms of activity, you may have to start with simple stretching. Over time, you can work your way up to more complex stretching routines such as Pilates. Before long, you may find that you can graduate from stretching to walking, swimming, or taking care of a few things around the house.
While you are maintaining a regular exercise schedule, we also recommend consulting an upper cervical chiropractor to check the alignment of your atlas (C1) and axis (C2). Upper cervical alignment can affect brainstem function as well as blood flow to the brain. These are important factors in regard to how the body processes pain signals. Some fibromyalgia patients have seen significant benefits from these gentle adjustments, perhaps even seeing complete symptom resolution.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.