What is fibromyalgia? It is idiopathic, meaning the cause is not known. It causes endocrine dysfunction and abnormal pain pathways. It is influenced by stress, hormones, fatigue, and psychiatric issues. Much of the condition can be explained by autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
Symptoms include: fatigue that interferes with daily activities, sleep issues, headaches, morning stiffness lasting more than 1 hour, irritable bowel, memory problems, anxiety, depression, and widespread, chronic pain.
The good news is that exercise can improve the following in people who suffer from fibromyalgia:
- Mood
- Coping Skills
- Cardiorespiratory Endurance
- Flexibility
- Muscle Strength
- Lipid Profile
- Sleep
- Activities of Daily Living
The problem is gaining compliance from fibro sufferers due to their pain and fatigue, and regulating the intensity of the exercise to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.
One promising area for treatment is laser therapy. According to Dr. Reed Mathis of Florida State University, a class IV laser, which is 20 times as powerful as cold laser, was shown to improve function in fibro sufferers.
The laser helped increase cell growth, improve microcirculation, increase nitric oxide release, and increase endorphin release.
So, don't despair, look into laser therapy and consult with a fitness professional who has experience working with fibro sufferers. Help is on the way.
- "I am slowly coming back to life... I wish someone were in love with me like boys were ages ago before I was sick. I suppose it will be years, though, before I could think of anything like that." F. Scott Fitzgerald- "Tender Is the Night"
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