“Pain is such an uncomfortable feeling that even a tiny amount of it is enough to ruin every enjoyment.”
— WILLIAM PENN ADAIR “WILL” ROGERS (NOVEMBER 4, 1879-AUGUST 15, 1935),
AMERICAN HUMORIST AND SOCIAL COMMENTATOR
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About 5 years ago, my friend Lauren—an athletic woman who enjoyed biking, beach volleyball, and hiking—awoke one morning with extreme exhaustion and a radiating pain surging throughout her body. She was barely capable of getting out of bed that morning—and for almost a month of mornings thereafter. In the months that followed, she rarely left the house, except to see several health care professionals, who either misdiagnosed her, or said her lasting pain and fatigue were psychosomatic. She finally went to a neurologist who diagnosed her with fibromyalgia syndrome—a condition that has altered her life. She calls it her “beast.”
The American College of Rheumatology defines fibromyalgia as a widespread, diffuse pain lasting at least 3 months, and/or myofascial pain that is present in a minimum of 11 (out of 18 possible) specified tender (or trigger) points throughout the body.1 It affects both men and women, but most commonly women between the ages of 20 and 50. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia can come on suddenly (as in Lauren’s case) or gradually, causing fatigue and widespread pain symptoms that have been described as searing, tender, swollen, feverish, and aching—often mimicking more serious conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Also, depending on the degree of pain and fatigue, “fibro” sufferers can function almost normally, or the pain can be unendurable. Many individuals even seek disability status because of their pain.
Health care experts are finding that low-impact exercise, nutrition, and stress-relieving practices can help reduce, or even alleviate, symptoms of fibro. Physical and occupational therapists can help their clients cope with their symptoms—and help them allay future flare-ups—by creating low-impact exercise programs to suit individual needs, as well as incorporating core strengthening, Pilates, swimming, and walking programs. Also, therapists can teach their clients the art of relaxation by suggesting gentle yoga, tai chi, and stretching with elastic bands. By learning to work through stress, fibromyalgia sufferers can often avoid an episode of pain. Of course, when a client is experiencing pain, they can be helped with light massage, biofeedback, and hot and cold therapies to alleviate discomfort.
By customizing an exercise regimen for clients with an ongoing syndrome like fibromyalgia, they might not be cured, but they will have the tools to confidently work through the pain.
Lauren’s neurologist recently referred her to a physical therapy clinic to begin her own exercise program. This is a first step toward taming the beast that is fibromyalgia.
—ROGENA SCHUYLER SILVERMAN
- www.nfra.net/fibromyalgia_trigger_point.php. Accessed March 5, 2010.
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