It is often assumed that fibromyalgia and
exercise don't go together because of the chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia syndrome.
In truth, the appropriate fibromyalgia exercise program, consistently followed, will relieve
pain, strengthen connective tissue and increase flexibility and blood flow. In addition to
diet changes and nutrient supplementation, a daily, appropriate exercise regimen is vital to
reversing fibromyalgia. The human body is designed with muscles and joints to perform an array
of activities. With the pain of fibromyalgia, exercise and many daily activities are slowed
down or stopped completely. Muscles that are not regularly worked atrophy and are more prone
to trauma and dysfunction. The many necessary hormones that should be released during exercise
and daily physical activities do not respond reliably and consistently in fibromyalgia sufferers.
Exercise in many different forms, whether stretching,
weight resistance, walking, swimming, cycling, yoga and others are known to be effective components
for reversing fibromyalgia
With fibromyalgia, exercise becomes a key component in
healing because a properly designed exercise routine will help you:
Strengthen connective tissue (ligaments and tendons) while enhancing muscle tone
Increase flexibility allowing for a fuller range of motion without pain, strain, pulls, and tears
Increase blood flow to muscle tissue which transports oxygen and nutrients to the muscle
Increase endorphins released by the hypothalamus, healing and uplifting with natural
pain-relieving and sleep-deepening effects and in addition, alleviating some of the anxiety,
depression and pain associated with fibromyalgia
Enhance production of T-cells from the thymus, providing a greater number of immune system
boosting cells available to the body
Stimulate the production of serotonin and growth hormone, the exact pain reducing and
muscle-repair hormone imbalances linked with individuals with fibromyalgia
Decrease risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart attack and stroke
Relieve stress; increase energy; reduce fatigue
Promote weight loss, and reduce stress on your joints
Increase bone mass, and reduce your risk of fracture or osteoporosis
A regular fibromyalgia exercise program designed to improve physical fitness should include:
Stretching, Breathing, Relaxing
Strength or Resistance Training
Cardiovascular Aerobic Activities
Fibromyalgia exercise helps to control weight, reduce pain and increase mobility in fibromyalgia patients.
Consistent and appropriate exercise helps guard against health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension,
and heart disease. Although, it is also important to avoid unhealthy behaviors such as: smoking, heavy
alcohol consumption, high demand/low control stressors, social isolation, recreational drug use and junk
food. These will nullify many of the positives received from fibromyalgia exercise.
Be sure
to stretch in the mornings, and warm-up before and after
any physical activity. Be careful not to overdo it.
Overdoing exercise or even rigorous daily tasks will
actually make your muscles contract, the opposite of
what you want to accomplish. You may need to begin at
a very low level of exercise such as 5 minutes a day.
You should continue to increase the length and frequency
of exercise until you are exercising for at least 45
to 60 minutes a day.
At first you may experience a little pain and soreness
following a workout. Some muscle soreness is normal when you're starting to exercise, but sharp pain
may be a sign that you have overworked your muscles. Keep exercising consistently and you will find
that the pain following an exercise workout will lessen, as will your fibromyalgia symptoms.
Caution: For any suspected or known illness or dysfunction,
always consult your physician for medical diagnosis and treatment first. Växa products
are Homeopathic Medicinals and therefore have NDC# (National Drug Control Number)
clearly printed on each label.
