Physical therapy is very important in the treatment of fibromyalgia because it helps control symptoms such as pain, tiredness and sleep disorders, promoting relaxation and increased muscle flexibility.
Physiotherapy can be performed 2 to 4 times a week and treatment should be directed toward relieving the person's symptoms. Physiotherapy treatment for fibromyalgia can be done with:
1. Stretching Exercises
Stretching exercises help in the treatment of fibromyalgia because they promote relaxation, improve blood circulation, mobility and muscle flexibility.
A great stretching exercise for fibromyalgia is to lie on your back and bend your knees close to your chest, holding position for about 30 seconds, and then bend your knees to the right side while turning your head to the left arm, which must be stretched at a 90 degree angle to the body, holding the position for about 30 minutes. The exercise should also be repeated to the other side.
2. Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy, aquatic physiotherapy or aquatherapy is a therapeutic activity that consists of performing exercises inside a swimming pool with water at a temperature of about 34º with the help of a physiotherapist.
The water allows the accomplishment of exercises of greater amplitude, reducing the pain and the fatigue and improving the quality of the sleep. With this technique, muscle strengthening, increased joint amplitude, improved cardiorespiratory and blood circulation, and decreased pain and stress are achieved. Learn more about hydrotherapy.
3. Massage
Massages, if performed well, promote muscle relaxation, improve sleep quality, combat fatigue and decrease pain. See other health benefits of massage.
4. Electrotherapy devices
Electrotherapy appliances, such as TENS or biofeedback, can be used to reduce pain at fibromyalgia painful points and improve local circulation. Learn all about the TENS.
Watch the following video and see how to do exercises to feel better:
When in addition to physical therapy the patient practices walking, pilates, swimming or cycling, the results are even better because these exercises improve cardiorespiratory functioning, decrease pain, improve sleep quality and strengthen muscles, fighting fatigue and tiredness .
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease, and treatment is usually done with medications prescribed by the rheumatologist or neurologist, in addition to physiotherapy sessions. However, there are other treatments that can also be done such as acupuncture, reflexology, sleep therapy, aromatherapy and herbal medicine that help improve the quality of the patient suffering with fibromyalgia.
Learn how some of these alternative therapies can help: Natural treatment for fibromyalgia.
