Physical therapy is very important in the treatment of fibromyalgia as it helps control symptoms such as pain, fatigue and sleep disorders, favoring relaxation and increasing muscle flexibility.
Physical therapy can be done 2 to 4 times a week and treatment should be aimed at relieving the person’s symptoms.Physiotherapy treatment for fibromyalgia may be done with:
- Stretching exercises help in the treatment of fibromyalgia as they promote relaxation.
- Improve blood circulation.
- Mobility and muscle flexibility.
An excellent stretching exercise for fibromyalgia involves lying on your back and bending your knees near your chest, holding the position for about 30 seconds, then bending your knees to the right side as you turn your head toward your left arm, which should stretch at a 90-degree angle with your body., holding the position for about 30 minutes. Exercise should also be repeated for the other side.
Hydrotherapy, aquatic physiotherapy or acuotherapy, is a therapeutic activity that involves exercising in a pool with water at a temperature of about 34 degrees, with the help of a physical therapist.
Water allows for a greater variety of exercises, reduces pain and fatigue and improves sleep quality, with this technique it is possible to strengthen muscles, increase joint amplitude, improve cardiorespiratory function and blood circulation and decrease pain and stress.Learn more about hydrotherapy.
Massages, if done right, promote muscle relaxation, improve sleep quality, combat fatigue and reduce pain.See the other health benefits of massage.
Electrotherapy devices, such as TENS or biofeedback, can be used to reduce pain at painful points in fibromyalgia and improve local circulation. Find out all about the TENS device.
When in addition to physiotherapy, the patient practices walking, pilates, swimming or cycling, the results are even better because these exercises improve cardiorespiratory functioning, reduce pain, improve sleep quality and strengthen muscles, combating tiredness and fatigue.
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 practiced, such as acupuncture, reflexology, sleep therapy, aromatherapy and phytotherapy.medicines that help improve the quality of the patient with fibromyalgia.
Find out how some of these alternative therapies can help: Natural treatment of fibromyalgia.