Nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle strategies for fibromyalgia

For most people, the idea of exercising can be an exciting and invigorating adventure. It can also be daunting, especially for someone with fibromyalgia. Many people with fibromyalgia have also been told that they need to exercise more. In truth, the best exercise program for fibromyalgia is usually the one that a person can stick to, and that depends on the person, how well their health is, and what their goals are.

The most common chronic pain, fibromyalgia affects over 5 percent of Americans, and is often accompanied by depression and fatigue. While the cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown, research suggests that it may be a combination of genetics, stress, and other factors. As a result, there are no guarantees that any diet or exercise plan will work for fibromyalgia, so it is important to find a plan that works with your body.

Fibromyalgia is a long-term debilitating condition that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles, bones, skin, and joints. For some, they experience sharp stabbing pain in their knees. The symptoms vary from person to person, but they often include sleep disruption, fatigue, and pain that can wake you up at night. To help those with fibromyalgia, there are many ways to manage the condition. Some people choose not to use medication, since it can be expensive. Others choose to treat the symptoms with diet and exercise.. Read more about fibromyalgia exercise to avoid and let us know what you think.

Fibromyalgia is a pain condition that affects millions of individuals (including 3.4 percent of adult women). It was previously regarded as a made-up problem.

The good news is that doctors are increasingly treating fibromyalgia as a legitimate condition. We now have a better understanding of it. It’s also simpler than ever to feel great. The bad news is that, as with any new market, everyone wants to sell you something fast.

You may receive genuine answers, start creating new lifestyle choices now, and start feeling better tomorrow with the assistance of certified trainers and coaches.

[Note: This article is also available to listen to as an audio recording.] So, if you’d like to hear the piece, go here.]

What you need to know in a nutshell

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a multifaceted illness. There’s still a lot we don’t know about it, even though physicians and researchers are learning more about it and taking it more seriously.

While there is no way to fully “cure” FMS, there are a number of things you may take to lessen or perhaps eliminate some of the symptoms. This involves changes to diet, exercise, attitude, and other aspects of one’s lifestyle.

Don’t attempt to cope with everything at once since there’s a lot of information here. Scroll to the bottom of this page for a basic “get started” strategy that you can implement right now.

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Feeling achy, weary, and sluggish… What’s going on?

Perhaps you haven’t been sleeping properly recently. You shut your eyes and try to go asleep, but you can’t seem to stop fidgeting.

The fatigue is creating these bothersome headaches, and you must confess that you’ve been feeling down about it for a long.

Your body seems suddenly… elderly. When you’re weary and out of sorts, it’s difficult to get to your exercises.

Isn’t it simply a phase?

Maybe. Fibromyalgia, however, is a possibility.

You may be thinking to yourself, “I know what you’re thinking:

Seriously? Come on, I’m not sick with anything, I’ve just been a bit weird recently. Is fibromyalgia really a valid diagnosis?

You’re not the only one who feels this way.

Because fibromyalgia is misunderstood even by physicians, many individuals dismiss it as a make-believe illness that keeps doctors and pharmaceutical firms in business.

But the reality is that this disease, which is marked by all-over discomfort and sensitivity as well as more typical (but debilitating) ailments including headache, anemia, and arthritis, is genuine and widespread: According to the most current published estimate from 2005, 5 million people in the United States suffer with fibromyalgia.

Fortunately, we are learning more about possible remedies.

If you have fibromyalgia — or suspect you may — or work as a fitness instructor for someone who does, there are certain lifestyle changes you can do right now to start feeling better nearly immediately.

Pain that serves no purpose

So, what exactly is fibromyalgia?

Myalgia is a term for generic muscular pain derived from the ancient Greek words myo, which means muscle, and algos, which means pain.

Fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS, is a group of symptoms that include (but are not limited to):

• headache
• a lack of sleep
• depression
• menstruation periods are excruciating
• bladder that is hyperactive
• irritable bowel syndrome
• arthritis
• anemia
• stiffness
• Legs that are uneasy

And, yuck, those are only a few examples.

But there is one thing that all FMS patients have in common: pain.

FMS causes persistent and extensive discomfort throughout the body.

Unlike acute pain, which indicates that something has to be done right away (for example, you stepped on a nail or your appendix needs to be removed), FMS chronic pain does not seem to have a clear purpose. It doesn’t seem to indicate any real harm.

And, despite the fact that FMS has been researched for decades (similar illnesses are mentioned in medical literature dating back to the 1800s), there is still no agreement on its etiology.

Some speculate that people with FMS have a reduced pain threshold as a result of alterations in nerve cells, making it simply a physical issue. Others think FMS is a psychosomatic condition.

Furthermore, pain is a very subjective sensation. We don’t know why some people appear to experience it more than others, or why we feel it more in particular circumstances (such as when we’re emotionally disturbed or socially isolated).

So, there you have it. We’re still a long way from completely comprehending it.

Unfortunately, since no one knows what causes FMS, there is no cure at this time.

Identifying the issue

Because many of the symptoms of FMS coincide with those of other illnesses and disorders, determining the correct diagnosis may be a difficult game of “chicken and egg.”

Sleep, for example, has an impact on pain and other factors such as energy levels.

Our body chemistry alters when we don’t get enough sleep. Inflammation may increase. Metabolism may be thrown off. Hormones may get out of balance.

We end up feeling awful, with aches and pains, poor energy, and a variety of other persistent symptoms from the list above.

Is it just a lack of sleep? Is it FMS, or is it something else? (And what if FMS is causing the lack of sleep… which exacerbates the problem… and so on?)

The American College of Rheumatology has published updated diagnostic criteria for FMS to address this issue.

Previously, physicians diagnosed FMS by looking at particular (and relatively restricted) sensitive spots on the body, but the new set of criteria includes a severity scale: If a doctor presses on 18 of the 18 sites and the patient complains of discomfort in at least 11 of them, they may have FMS. The updated guidelines take into consideration any concomitant symptoms (like fatigue).

It’s difficult to say how many individuals have FMS since diagnostic criteria are always changing.

According to current statistics, 0.7 percent to 3.3 percent of people worldwide suffer with FMS, with 2 percent to 7% of populations in industrialized nations meeting the diagnostic criteria. FMS affects adult women seven times more than it does males. Gender distribution seems to be equal in children.

Looking for explanations

There’s a lot of conjecture regarding what causes FMS, as there is with any unsolved health issue.

This is a lengthy list, and it’s clear that it’s still a work in progress.

But, in general, the fundamental notion is that something (possibly many factors) influences our physical and psychological experiences of pain.

These are some of the theories:

• Inability of bodily tissues to generate energy: Cells may be metabolically “shut down,” resulting in muscular discomfort and tiredness sensations.
• Anomalies of the central nervous system: Congenital brain malformations may damage the blood-brain barrier, altering how the brain works and reacts to pain. Viruses, stress, cell signaling issues, medications, and nutritional shortages may all be triggers in this instance.
• Changed sensory response in the brain: Some pain-processing brain regions may be overactive, raising the alert without a valid danger.
• Short or poor-quality sleep may alter hormone levels and immunological function, leading to an increase in pain.
• Anomalies in the inflammatory pathway: Cytokines, which control how our immune system reacts to inflammation, may be out of sync, resulting in an overly aggressive immune reaction against your own cells.
• Too much stress: Allostatic load, or everything in your life that generates stress (workouts, kids, relationships, employment, and so on) may lead us to perceive pain more strongly.
• An imbalance of gastrointestinal flora (induced by a poor diet or food intolerances) may produce or exacerbate FMS symptoms such as pain, tiredness, and stress.
• Antibiotic use: It’s been suggested that taking antibiotics (at least certain kinds at particular times) may contribute to the development of FMS by disrupting the balance of gut flora.
• Hormone imbalances: Disrupted hormones, especially those from the thyroid, may induce hypersensitivity in the central nervous system, resulting in FMS discomfort.
• After an injury, there may be an overproduction of pain-producing chemicals, resulting in a pain-perception problem (or even intense exercise).
• Nutritional deficit or toxicity: Deficiencies in B vitamins, vitamin C, and iron may cause pain. Furthermore, elevated levels of oxidative stress may play a role in the onset of FMS (making dietary antioxidants important). Also, candida overgrowth – high amounts of yeast in the stomach caused by corticosteroid usage, eating too many refined carbohydrates, or taking antibiotics — may be worth checking for.
• Breathing disorders: Changes in breathing (such as those induced by asthma or allergies) may result in an oxygen deficiency, causing blood gases to become unbalanced. This may cause an FMS flare-up by interfering with the brain’s processing of pain receptor signals.
• Infection: Getting ill (for example, with a virus) may set off FMS.
• A traumatic event: Adults with FMS had greater rates of childhood suffering than the general population (e.g., maltreatment and abuse). Trauma may cause endocrine disruptions or alterations in the inflammatory system, which can contribute to FMS.
• Toxic chemicals in the environment: Chemicals in the environment may induce tiredness, headaches, chronic pain, and other FMS symptoms.
• Where do you reside: In comparison to the worldwide norm, adults in the United States may be more than twice as likely to acquire FMS. FMS is uncommon in China, for example, perhaps because to genetic variations or societal norms that influence pain perception and acceptance.

We don’t yet have a smoking gun for FMS, unlike smallpox or lead poisoning, where we can firmly blame a specific illness on a single, clearly identifiable infection or toxin.

FMS is most likely the consequence of a number of variables, many of which are difficult to quantify or track.

New approaches to treating FMS

People with FMS used to suffer in silence and/or humiliation.

Doctors often disregarded them. Symptoms that were vague, contradictory, and perplexing had me perplexed. Crazy, hypochondriac, whining, neurotic, or “hysterical” (a catchall “diagnosis” for illnesses that disproportionately afflict women).

They may have been given tranquilizers and sedatives, narcotic painkillers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, hormonal birth control, and a variety of other medicines that seldom addressed the underlying issue.

Even with today’s knowledge of FMS, the disease continues to disturb people’s routines, well-being, and lifestyles.

Many patients give up going to the gym, canceling dinner arrangements, missing vacations, and generally limiting their activities. They’re not only in agony now, but they’re also unhappy and lonely.

And health-care professionals are doing their best to assist. Given that the majority of medications have been shown to be useless, and those that have been given have potentially harmful side effects, physicians are increasingly suggesting lifestyle changes to assist their FMS patients.

Many individuals with FMS can decrease or eliminate their symptoms with the appropriate holistic treatment approach.

There is reason to be optimistic.

Life after fibromyalgia for you and your support team

Although there is still a lot we don’t know about FMS, there are actions you can do right now to help improve or perhaps eliminate certain FMS symptoms.

Together, you, your doctor, your fitness trainer, and your nutrition coach can enhance your quality of life.

But first and foremost, make it basic.

We’re making a lot of suggestions here. And we understand how difficult that may be, particularly when you’re already struggling with the psychological and physical effects of a chronic disease. (Especially considering “brain fog” is one of the symptoms of FMS.)

So go easy on yourself. At a time, one item at a time.

We’ll show you how below.

And don’t be afraid to ask for assistance. A coach or health care professional may assist you in organizing your treatment stages into a clear, concise, and manageable plan. You don’t have to do everything yourself, and you shouldn’t even try.

Awareness

This is something you can do instantly on your own.

Learn about your own body and how your health ebbs and flows.

Use a notebook, a smartphone app, or any other tool you prefer to keep track of your daily physical, mental, and emotional changes, as well as any other variables that seem to be important.

Every day, set aside a few minutes to check in.

Begin to observe as if you were a detective or a scientist. Also, keep a record.

Here are a few things you may keep an eye on.

Symptoms: What’s going on right now? Take notes on everything you observe, even if it doesn’t seem important at the time (e.g. bowel habits, skin rashes, whether your hair or nails seem brittle, etc.).

How is your pain today on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being no pain and 10 being the most excruciating agony you can imagine? What happened to it? Is it achey, scorching or stinging, acute, diffuse, or anything else? Is it mobile or does it like to stay in one spot?

How long did you sleep? Did you have difficulty falling asleep or waking up frequently? Etc.

How does eating make you feel in your body? Do you experience stomach aches, digestive issues, or other issues?

Mood and cognition: Do you have a keen or dull mind today? What words would you use to describe your current mood or emotional state? Is it difficult for you to remember things, or does recollection come easy to you? What is your current perspective on life? Etc.

Energy levels: How are you feeling today? Do you experience spurts of energy followed by crashes throughout the day? Is it a more consistent low or high (for example, “good days” and “poor days”)? Do you notice how factors like the weather or light influence you? Etc.

Appetite and food: What did you have for lunch today? Did you observe anything that appeared to have an impact on you? Are you famished?

How did you move your body today in terms of exercise and movement? How did it make you feel? Did you find it difficult to recuperate or have more energy afterward? Etc.

How are your menstrual periods if you regularly menstruate? What stage of your cycle are you in today? Do you have any hormone-like symptoms (e.g. bloating, cravings, etc.) if you’re perimenopausal or menopausal but don’t have a period? Etc.

Other pressures and stresses in life: What was it like at work today? What’s going on with your family? Finances? Etc.

First and foremost, learn to know how your body reacts and how things may alter (or not) over the course of hours, days, weeks, and months.

Second, begin looking for trends. Can you detect frequent ebbs and flows, or items that seem to be linked (for example, “When X occurs, my pain becomes worse” or “Eating Y tends to make it flare up”)?

Exercise

Exercise is a potent medication, but like all drugs, it must be used correctly.

If you have FMS, your healing capacity is likely to be impaired.

No “beast mode,” no Ironman triathlons, and no “pump till you vomit” exercises are allowed. (Besides, your body will probably get rid of it fairly fast.)

And you’ll want to stay away from anything that “charges you up,” causes mental tension, or stimulates your sympathetic nervous system’s “fight-or-flight” response.

The objective is to move in a pleasant, easy, relaxed manner that gets the blood flowing, soothes rather than activates the stress response, and makes you feel good without exhausting your limited reserves.

Consider the following example:

• Anxiety, sadness, poor pain tolerance, poor sleep, increased inflammation, and reduced mood have all been linked to moderate aerobic activity in FMS patients.
• Progressive exercise three times per week in a support group environment improved strength and function while reducing pain and tiredness, according to one research.
• FMS seems to be addressed by qigong, yoga, stretching, tai chi, and meditation, which all promote muscular relaxation and deep breathing.

Here are some pointers:

• Begin slowly.
• Increase your workout volume by no more than 10% in a single day.
• When feasible, go for a low-impact workout (water workouts, cycling, walking, yoga, bodyweight resistance work).
• Prioritize aerobic capacity, aiming for a level one or two higher than “easy.”
• Between the more intensive organized exercises, take one day off for recuperation.
• Start adding strength training after a month of regular aerobic activity.

Here are some suggestions on how to distribute your weekly workout routines.

Alternate days with this easy regimen:

• Warm up for 5-10 minutes, then do 20-30 minutes of aerobic activity and 20-30 minutes of weight training.
• Typical daily routines.

Alternately, try something different:

Monday: warm-up for 5-10 minutes, then do 20-30 minutes of aerobic activity. Tuesday: mild yoga for 60 minutes Wednesday: warm-up for 5-10 minutes, then strength training for 20-30 minutes. Thursday: Routine daily activities Friday: warm-up for 5-10 minutes, then do 20-30 minutes of aerobic activity. Saturday: warm-up for 5-10 minutes, then strength training for 20-30 minutes. Sunday: Typical weekend activities

If you’re experiencing an FMS flare-up or your stress level is particularly high, be prepared to skip any portion of a session. Make no attempt to be a hero.

Nutrition

We don’t know what causes FMS, but we do know that being overweight increases your chances.

Inflammation may be caused by compounds produced by body fat, which may be a trigger for FMS. Women who were overweight or obese were up to 70% more likely to acquire the disease than women with a BMI in the normal range, according to one research.

Making healthy choices is always a good idea, regardless of weight.

Begin by eating deliberately, consciously, slowly, and in response to genuine physiological hunger (here’s how to tell the difference between physical and emotional hunger).

In your awareness diary, keep notice of any changes in hunger and appetite.

Then:

• Prioritize natural meals over processed foods, which include unnecessary sugars, fats, and chemicals.
• Eat a lot of plants: The more plants you eat, the more antioxidants you’ll get. Furthermore, more antioxidants may imply less discomfort (in fact, some research indicates that a vegan diet may offer short-term benefits to FMS victims).
• When feasible, choose organic to reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Drink water and tea instead of juices and sodas, which are high in sugar.
• Caffeine and cigarettes should be avoided since they are linked to sleep difficulties and greater pain in FMS patients, respectively.
• Limit alcohol: In a recent research, moderate drinkers (those who consume 3-7 drinks per week) had less discomfort than heavy or non-drinkers with FMS.
• Eliminate dietary intolerances and allergies: Isn’t it self-evident? However, it may be useful to undergo a test (ALCAT is an excellent one) to see whether you have any hidden sensitivities. Wheat, dairy, sugar, caffeine, aspartame, alcohol, and chocolate are all common causes.
• Excitotoxins, present in MSG, aspartame, and protein-dense meals, are amino acids and brain-stimulating neurotransmitters that may aggravate FMS discomfort by raising CSF fluid (the stuff in your brain and spine). Eliminating excitotoxins improved FMS symptoms in several case studies, especially in those who are highly sensitive to these compounds.
• Don’t overdo sugar: If added sugars account for more than 10% of your overall calorie intake, candida overgrowth may occur (see above).

Supplements

Certain nutrients may aid in the treatment of FMS symptoms. If at all feasible, acquire them from food first.

If you decide to supplement, be sure to include:

• Choose trustworthy products and start with one supplement at a time.
• First, be sure there are no conflicts with any vitamins or medicines.

Here are a few alternatives to think about.

• Probiotics and prebiotics are microorganisms that improve the health of your gut, which has an impact on the rest of your body. Sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, yogurt, and kefir are all good sources of probiotics.
• Ribose: This simple sugar is involved in energy generation, which may help with tiredness and sleep issues. Milk and cheese are two of the most common sources of calcium.
• Magnesium: This mineral seems to be deficient in some people with FMS; supplementing with it may assist to alleviate muscular spasms and cramps. Almonds, spinach, cashews, peanuts, and beans are all good sources of protein.
• Melatonin is a sleep-inducing hormone that may be supplemented to assist support normal sleep cycles.
• CoQ10: Coenzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that may help FMS patients with mitochondrial malfunction (cell components involved for energy generation). Fish, liver, and whole grains are all good sources of protein.
• Supplementing with SAMe, a naturally occurring body molecule, may assist with mood and sleep.
• Quercetin: This potent antioxidant may help to alleviate FMS symptoms by reducing inflammation. Citrus fruits, apples, onions, parsley, and tea are all good sources.
• 5-HTP: This naturally occurring neurotransmitter is converted by the body into serotonin, a hormone that helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep. Supplements may help with the symptoms of FMS.
• Carnosine, BCAAs, and creatine are all bodily components that may aid in the synthesis of muscular energy. Beef, chicken, and pork are the main ingredients.
• Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) is a synthetic amino acid derivative that may aid mitochondrial activity.
• Turmeric: This wonderful spice, which can be eaten on its own or as part of a curry, may help to reduce inflammation.
• Ashwaghanda is an exotic plant that may be used as a tablet to assist with sleep and anxiety.
• Valerian and passionflower are two plant-based medicines that may help you sleep better.
• Capsaicin/capsicum: This chemical, which gives many spicy dishes its zing, may help reduce pain when consumed or applied topically. Chili peppers are used as a source.
• Chronic tiredness may be caused by a deficiency in the mineral iodine. Seaweed, scallops, cod, white beans, lentils, spinach, Jerusalem artichokes, black beans, soybeans, molasses, Lima beans, tofu, liver, meats, clams, seaweed, scallops, cod, white beans, lentils, spinach, Jerusalem artichokes, black beans, soybeans, molasses, molasses, molasses, molasses, molasses, molasses, molasses,
• Zinc deficiency may result in lowered immunity and mental dullness. Mushrooms, spinach, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, green peas, baked beans, cashews, peas, whole grains, flounder, oats, oysters, and chicken are some of the foods that contain these nutrients.
• Low levels of iron, which is required for the delivery of oxygen throughout the body, are linked to a substantially increased risk of FMS. Egg yolk, liver, dried legumes, and dried fruit are all good sources.
• Low levels of vitamin D, which can only be obtained via fortified foods, supplements, or natural sunshine, are frequent in FMS patients. Vitamin D pills were shown to substantially reduce FMS discomfort in a 2014 research.
• Selenium: FMS patients had low amounts of this mineral, according to one research. Brazil nuts, yellowfin tuna, orange roughy, rockfish, lobster, swordfish, and oysters are all good sources.
• Vitamin B1 deficiency is linked to impaired memory, tiredness, irritability, and sleep disturbances. Vitamin B1 is required for energy generation and brain function. Peas, cowpeas, navy beans, black beans, lentils, soybeans, oat bran, asparagus, sesame seeds, pork, and liver are all good sources.
• Essential fatty acids: Getting enough of these, possibly via supplements, may assist with nerve discomfort caused by FMS. Flax, chia, hemp, cold-water fish, grass-fed beef, and pastured eggs are also good sources.

This is, without a doubt, a lengthy and complicated list. Consider seeking advice from a competent naturopath or nutrition coach who can help you evaluate your requirements and create a plan that is right for you.

Therapeutic touch and bodywork

These treatments feel great whether you’re healthy or not, and there’s evidence that they may benefit FMS sufferers.

“Mechanoreception suppresses nocioception,” as the phrase goes among body workers.

Isn’t it clever?

In English, it implies that therapeutic touch may relieve pain by competing for the same nerve impulses, similar to a traffic congestion on a motorway.

The following are examples of effective bodywork:

• treatment for trigger points
• craniosacral treatment (also known as craniosacral therapy) is
• hydrotherapy
• a foam roller
• needling on a dry surface
• biofeedback
• acupuncture
• chiropractic
• massage

Keep it gently; if you do too much bodywork, it will counteract your pain-relieving efforts.

Keep note of whatever treatments appear to help you feel better.

Upgrades to sleep

Many FMS symptoms are influenced by the quality of your nighttime sleep (frankly, it affects pretty much every aspect of your health).

Check out our guide to bettering your sleep – and take note of this fact that I’m sure you’re not aware of: Before midnight, every hour of sleep is worth two hours thereafter. Wow.

Stress management

By improving your mood and sleep patterns, keeping stress to a minimal may go a long way toward minimizing FMS torment. Reduced stress and the development of appropriate coping mechanisms may aid in the development of physical resilience.

A few pointers:

• If you’re going to relax, truly rest: Hint! Energy is required for watching television and reading books. That’s not relaxing; that’s labor.
• Try yoga and breathing exercises: These may help FMS patients relax by providing oxygen to the tissues and reducing tiredness.

That concludes the warm-up. Here’s how it works: Chronic disease often causes us to reconsider our approach to stress and other life responsibilities.

Life, as we all know, occurs. We can’t control all of our situations or stresses, such as a sick kid or a difficult employer.

We do, however, have influence over many other stresses, as well as how we react to them.

Consider the following example:

• We may decide to take a hard look at all of our expectations, obligations, and duties and let go of some of them.
• We may choose job, family, and/or school arrangements that allow us to recuperate more quickly or get support with everyday chores.
• We may choose to be sympathetic toward ourselves rather than judgmental.
• When the excrement hits the fan, we may use mindfulness and relaxation methods to assist regulate and calm ourselves.

Social assistance

We’re sociable creatures. Pain isn’t simply a personal sensation; it’s also a communal one.

We may get sicker, more stressed, and die sooner as a result of social isolation and loneliness. This is particularly poignant for chronic disease patients, who may already feel alone and unsupported (or have trouble asking for help).

In contrast, research suggests that having a happy, healthy, and flourishing social support network and connections may help reduce pain, inflammation, and stress. This, of course, has the potential to reduce our isolation.

According to research on emotional attunement, being near to or touching someone we love and feel connected to (such as holding our hand) may actually reduce our experience of pain. (It seems that kissing the boo-boo works.)

Fortunately, even if you don’t have close friends and family nearby, being with animals on a daily basis has the same benefits. Consider Fido or Fluffy as a member of your medical team.

What you can do to help

There’s a lot of data on this page. This may be daunting, particularly if you’re also coping with the mental, emotional, physical, and other demands of a chronic illness.

So take a big breath and relax.

And take it slow and easy at first.

Right now, there are a few things you can do.

• Begin to raise your awareness. Every day, take notes on how you’re feeling and what you’re seeing. Learn how FMS affects your body and search for trends over time.
• Consider who you may be able to attract for your health-care and support staff. Look for allies, supporters, and helpers, whether it’s your doctor, a naturopath, a personal trainer or nutrition coach, family members, or friends. Don’t suffer in silence.
• Make a request for assistance. Even if it’s something little and insignificant, such as someone else picking up a few groceries for you or allowing you to take a sleep in peace.
• Make the decision to be nice to yourself. Illness is not an indication of moral failure or weakness. Choose to treat yourself with kindness and compassion.

What you can progressively strive towards

• Visit your doctor: If you suspect FMS or have already been diagnosed but want to learn more about new treatment possibilities, make an appointment with your doctor and ask a lot of questions. Your doctor is undoubtedly a competent, knowledgeable, and compassionate individual, but no one can better represent your interests than you.
• Consult your coaches: FMS is a complex health condition that requires great caution, and what you eat and how you move your body are at the forefront of your fight against pain. Enlist the assistance of a personal trainer and a nutritionist to create an anti-FMS strategy that works for you, and then modify it together as needed. Consider employing some of these coaches if you don’t already have any. It’s much too short of a life to be miserable.
• Begin with a basic exercise routine: When you’re sick, and particularly if you’ve been inactive, getting back into an exercise routine may be difficult. Begin with a simple alternating-days mild cardio routine (see above for a sample schedule).
• Reduce foods that actively detract from health: I know I’ve given a lot of diet advice, but one stands out for me: getting rid of toxins. Putting bad “food” into your body may have a variety of recognized and undiscovered harmful effects. Clean up your plate and emphasize whole foods, and the rest will come together much more easily than you think.
• Take recovery and replenishment seriously: Don’t attempt to squeak by or act like a martyr. Recognize that this health issue necessitates you actively “filling your tank.” Offloading certain duties, commitments, or life demands may be necessary. Alternatively, arranging extra recuperation activities in advance rather than waiting until you “have the time” to do so.
• Get a massage: After all, you’ve earned it. We’re all guilty of it.
• Do more of what you’re excellent at: Look for “bright spots” as well as difficulties in your awareness diary. Keep track of what makes you feel better, even if it’s only a little, and compile a list of “success tactics.”

References

To see the information sources mentioned in this article, go here.

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CR Alves, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of creatine supplementation in fibromyalgia patients. 65:1449-1459 in Arthritis Care Research (Hoboken).

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Fibromyalgia: Anti-inflammatory and stress responses after acute moderate exercise, Bote ME, et al. PLoS One, vol. 8, no. 8, e74524, 2013.

Brady D & Schneider M. Fibromyalgia syndrome: Reclassification is definitely needed. Dynamic Chiropractic 2002;20. Accessed October 21st 2013.

L. Chaitow, L. Chaitow, L. Chaitow, L. Chaitow, L. Chaitow, L. Chaitow, L A therapy manual for practitioners. 3rd Edition, 2010. Elsevier.

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Comparing the incidence of rheumatic illnesses in China with the rest of the globe, by DT Felson. Arthritis Research and Therapy, vol. 10, no. 1, 2008, p. 106.

Lack of circadian rhythm of serum TNF- and IL-6 in individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome, Fatima G, et al. Ind J Clin Biochem, 2012, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 340-343.

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Better eating, moving, and living.

The realm of health and fitness may be perplexing at times. It doesn’t have to be that way, however.

 

It will teach you the optimal diet, exercise, and lifestyle methods that are specific to you.

 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that makes it difficult for people to feel good and less easy to function day-to-day and experience chronic pain. Weakness, memory loss, and other physical symptoms are common symptoms of fibromyalgia. There are several types of fibromyalgia, which are classified by the level of pain, tenderness, stiffness, fatigue and cognitive symptoms that can be experienced. Treatments range from pharmaceuticals to psychological therapies, and alternative treatments such as naturopathic, homeopathic, and herbal therapies.. Read more about anti inflammatory diet for fibromyalgia and let us know what you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best exercise for fibromyalgia patients?

The best exercise for fibromyalgia patients is to get up and walk around.

What is the best diet for someone with fibromyalgia?

The best diet for someone with fibromyalgia is a low-sodium, low-fat, high-fiber diet.

How does exercise help fibromyalgia?

Exercise helps fibromyalgia by improving your cardiovascular health, which in turn improves your overall quality of life.

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