The Benefits Of Fibromyalgia

Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects five million Americans 18 or older. Between 80 and 90 percent of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. However, men and children also can have the disorder. (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases.) Most people are diagnosed during middle age, some after a tragic incident. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia are moderate to severe fatigue, tension or migraine headaches, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and chronic muscle pain, or muscle spasms. Exercise sounds condescending because with fibromyalgia you just want to lay in bed all day but getting up and moving is the best thing you can do. Exercising does help fibromyalgia because it promotes joint movement, it helps you

Women typically get it more than men, and it is not developed until middle age. Since most fibromyalgia patients are constantly in pain, they do not want to move around. Sometimes they do not even want to get out of bed. Physicians want fibromyalgia patients to get up and exercise but it is hard for them to do. Gentle forms of yoga that incorporate mindfulness practices may be especially useful for treating those with fibromyalgia because yoga is a low intensity work out. Even though it is gentle yoga, it is still a work out. Most physicians want their fibromyalgia patients to work out roughly two times a week and walk every day. Walking puts a lot less stress on all the muscles and joints that are already aching because of the disease. A study was conducted where “Twelve people with physician-diagnosed fibromyalgia took place in twice weekly, 90-minute restorative yoga group classes and a 20-minute home practice on the non-class evenings.” (Protocol for a Feasibility Study of Restorative Yoga for Symptom Management in Fibromyalgia.) Another benefit to fibromyalgia patients by doing yoga is focus. Yoga allows the patient to take their time and focus on their poses and movements. “Avoid the common mistakes many people with fibromyalgia make, like not stretching, not exercising, or not sticking to a healthy diet.” (Fibromyalgia for Dummies 60.) The book “Fibromyalgia for Dummies” recommends that fibromyalgia patients should find out what helps them fight their pain the most so that they can decrease their pain levels. A big improvement in a patients daily life would be to incorporate exercise their daily routine. “Fibromyalgia for Dummies” recommends slow exercising because fibromyalgia patients may become overtired quickly if they exercise at a “normal” persons exercise rate. A rheumatologist is usually the doctor to diagnose fibromyalgia. A rheumatologist is an internist meaning that they specialize in diseases of the