Category: Fibromyalgia

Tai Chi Relieves Fibromyalgia Suffering

We have always advocated practicing such meditative, relaxing techniques like tai chi to encourage eye health.

A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found that the gentle, flowing poses of tai chi may significantly the physical and mental afflictions of fibromyalgia.  Compared to other fibromyalgia sufferers who took a health education class followed by stretching, a group of patients who took a twice weekly tai chi class demonstrated less pain, fatigue, morning tiredness, stiffness, depression, anxiety, and difficulty at work.  Those who practiced tai chi reported better physical functioning and greater overall well-being.

Most compelling?  Thirty-five percent of the tai chi participants were able to stop taking their pain medications; only 15 percent of the control group were able to do so.

Explore our resources on Vision Wellness for more tips on healthy living with fewer medications.

Self-Awareness Training Can Ease Fibromyalgia Pain

A new study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine finds that a technique designed to deal with chronic pain called “affective self-awareness” can help those suffering from fibromyalgia.

As part of the therapy, patients learn about the emotion-pain connection.  Specific techniques, including mindfulness meditation and “expressive” writing, are applied to help people recognize and deal with the emotions that may be contributing to their pain. Science recognize that fibromyalgia sufferers are more like to have experienced stressful life events, such as childhood abuse, marital problems and high levels of job stress. There is also evidence that they are relatively less aware of their own emotions and more reluctant to express their feelings, particularly anger.

Patients are also encouraged to return to any exercise or other activities that they have been avoiding due to pain.

Six months later, 46 percent of the treatment group had at least a 30-percent reduction in their pain ratings compared with scores at the outset. Twenty-one percent had a 50-percent or greater reduction.

SOURCE: link.reuters.com/bes55m

Exercise and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Relieve Fibromyalgia

Recent studies suggest that the most effective combination of therapies to treat fibromyalgia is exercise paired with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Fibromyalgia is a notoriously difficult disease to treat.  Standard treatments include painkillers, antidepressants, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and exercise therapy.  Recent studies suggest that the most effective combination of therapies is exercise paired with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Study participants were separated into two groups based on how they dealt with their pain: those who curbed activities due to fear of pain and those who continued their activities in spite of pain.  The goal of CBT is to help people recognize thought patterns and emotional responses that contribute to their symptoms, and give them practical ways to change their behavior. For patients who habitually tried to avoid pain, the CBT sessions were geared toward helping them deal with their fear of pain and set goals for increasing their daily activities; those who typically attempted to push through pain, the CBT was designed to set more realistic goals and pace their daily activities and avoid overexertion.

Six months later, almost two thirds of participants showed “clinically significant” improvements, meaning that they had an increased ability to  perform daily activities like walking, climbing stairs and doing household chores.

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65A5LZ20100611

5 Strategies For Living Well with Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can be a challenging disease, but the following tips can help you to manage your symptoms

Fibromyalgia can be a challenging disease, but the following tips can help you to manage your symptoms:

1) Keep track of the pain: Keep a pain diary so that you can connect your symptoms to other factors in your life including diet, environment, and activities.

2) Do not expect too much from your medication: Though there are drugs that have been approved to treat fibromyalgia, they do not work for everyone.

3) Consider alternative and complementary therapies: Yoga, meditation, massage, acupuncture, Tai Chi, biofeedback, and other forms of bodywork and stress relief techniques have been proven to help manage the pain of fibromyalgia.

4) Be an active participant in your care: If your doctor is not helping you find the best way to deal with your particular symptoms or is not taking your pain seriously, consider finding another provider.

5) Avoiding activity due to pain: Remaining active and pursuing activities that bring you joy and exercise your body are keys to your health.

Source: http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100259977&page=1

 

 

Obesity, Exercise & Fibromyalgia

Women who are obese (BMI of 30 or larger) have a 60 to 70 percent higher risk of developing fibromyalgia, compared to women who are not obese.

A 2010 study observes  that women who are have a body-mass-index (BMI) of 30 or greater, which is considered obese have a 60-70%  greater risk of experiencing fibromyalgia than those women who are not obese, and especially among those women who also get plenty of physical exercise.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is marked by a dull aching pain and tenderness in the muscles and soft tissue, and is characterized by persistent fatigue.   Memory problems, disturbed, and irritable bowel syndrome are included amongst other common symptoms.

Researchers: Paul J. Mork, et al, Norweigian University of Science & Technology

Published: Association between physical exercise, body mass index, and risk of fibromyalgia: Longitudinal data from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study, Arthritis Care and Research 2010; 62:5,  611 – 617.