How Physical Therapy Helps Back Pain From Fibromyalgia
Introduction
Living with fibromyalgia can be challenging. Not only does this condition cause chronic pain, but it also makes it hard to stay active, leading to an unhealthy lifestyle. Fortunately, physical therapy is an incredibly helpful form of treatment for fibromyalgia. With a combination of exercise, education, and lifestyle modifications, individuals living with this condition can find relief from their symptoms.
Physical therapists are experts in movement and function, helping people get back to their daily activities. In the case of fibromyalgia, specialized exercise programs designed specifically for the patient’s needs can help manage pain and improve overall function. Education on sleep hygiene, stress management, and ways to conserve energy can also be helpful. With support from physical therapists, those with fibromyalgia can regain control of their lives and live with less pain.
What to Expect at Physical Therapy
To treat fibromyalgia back pain, physical therapists perform an extensive evaluation of your condition, taking a medical history and discussing pain type, frequency, and aggravating/alleviating activities. Based on this, they create personalized treatment plans to include modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and massages, as well as stretching and exercises specific to fibromyalgia patients.
What Types of Exercises You Might Do
The types of exercises you do in physical therapy will depend on the specific locations where you experience pain due to fibromyalgia back pain as well as the severity of the condition itself. However, there are some general exercises all patients should consider doing regularly when living with this condition:
- Stretching: Stretching is important for loosening up tight muscles throughout the body caused by fibromyalgia-related tension and/or stress. It should be done regularly—daily if possible—for maximal benefit!
- Strengthening: Some strengthening exercises can help build muscle strength and endurance which is important for people who experience chronic fatigue due to their condition. Some examples include wall squats, planks, lateral hip raises, leg lifts, etcetera.
- Aerobic Exercise: Aerobic activity helps promote circulation throughout the body which is especially beneficial for people dealing with fibromyalgia-related inflammation or stiffness in joints/muscles since they may lack adequate blood flow otherwise. Examples of aerobic activities include walking on a treadmill (or outside), riding a stationary bike, swimming laps in a pool etcetera.
- Low-Impact Activities: Low-impact activities like yoga are great for helping manage overall levels of discomfort associated with fibromyalgia back pain because they require less effort while still providing plenty of stretching benefits! For example instead of doing intense weight lifting sessions at home try taking yoga classes twice weekly for more manageable yet still effective exercise sessions which can help pay off big time when dealing with chronic conditions such as Fibromylagia related back pain!
How Long Recovery Takes
The length of recovery depends on several factors including the severity of symptoms and how long one has been living with them before seeking treatment from a physical therapist (PT). Generally speaking, though recovery times range anywhere from 3-6 months depending on these aforementioned criteria plus individual progress made during each PT session over time! All in all – getting regular help from a PT should provide substantial relief after following through on their suggested treatment plans accordingly!
Conclusion
Physical therapy is incredibly helpful for fibromyalgia back pain: modality use gives immediate comfort while personalized exercise programming offers long-term relief. Regular sessions may help manage discomfort and prevent future flare-ups. Interested in this type of care? Reach out today!
