What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is somewhat of an umbrella term used to describe someone who is experiencing a certain combination of symptoms. Exactly what triggers fibromyalgia are still unclear, although some medical experts believe the condition is caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system. This is the part of your body that elicits “fight or flight” responses.
People tend to develop their first symptoms of fibromyalgia after experiencing a physically or emotionally traumatic event, though it has never been scientifically proven.
Some people who develop fibromyalgia begin with chronic bouts of stress or depression, while other symptoms build over time.
Fibromyalgia also tends to affect women more often than men. You are also at a higher risk of developing this condition if you have a family history of it.
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Forgetfulness or disorientation
- Disrupted sleep cycles/irregular sleep schedules
- Sensitivity to touch/numbness
- Nausea
- Fluctuations in mood
- Chronic and/or sharp muscle pains
- Tender areas of the body
- Fatigue
Do You Have Fibromyalgia? Give Physical Therapy a Try!
If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it might have taken quite some time for your doctor to come to the conclusion of what your problem was. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary from person to person.
We’re all human. It’s only normal that we experience pain from time to time. If you exercise often, you might feel sore. Or maybe you stubbed your toe on a piece of furniture, or scraped your knee falling down. Most of the time, you’re probably able to shake the pain off, take ibuprofen, and go about your schedule.
There are plenty of instances where the pain you’re experiencing is widespread, chronic, and fails to go away despite your best efforts. This can make a negative impact on your quality of life.
Some people turn to over the counter medication for relief, however, this kind of pain is something that anti-inflammatory drugs simply will not relieve.
If you are suffering from chronic pain that is accompanied by fatigue, mood swings, or irregular sleep patterns, you may be dealing with a more serious physiological condition, known as fibromyalgia.
If you think fibromyalgia may be affecting your daily life, contact Back In Action Physical Therapy today to request an appointment with one of our Ocean Pines, MD physical therapists. We can help provide relief for your pain symptoms and help you achieve the highest quality of life possible.
They Have Been Able To Help Me With My Fibromyalgia!
I was initially nervous about PT, but they were friendly and professional. They have been able to help me with my headaches and fibromyalgia. I am glad that I chose them for PT.
– Sue
How physical therapy can provide fibromyalgia relief
At Back In Action Physical Therapy, we provide safe, natural, and effective treatments for both managing your pain symptoms in the long-term and helping you regain optimal physical function.
There is no cure-all treatment for fibromyalgia because it is not a disease, but rather a range of symptoms. However, rest assured that our physical therapists in Ocean Pines, MD will be able to thoroughly examine your physical abilities, review your medical history, and discuss your current symptoms with you in order to create a customized treatment plan for your specific needs.
Your primary physician may have prescribed a pain medication or an anti-depressant to manage your symptoms; however, it’s important you understand those medications do not address the chronic nature of your condition or the loss of function that chronic pain and distress typically bring.
Physical therapy treatments at Back In Action Physical Therapy will typically begin with pain-relieving modalities and passive therapies to provide relief and promote healing.
This may include the use of massage, stretching, trigger point therapy, electrical stimulation, or other therapeutic tools that our physical therapists at Back In Action Physical Therapy believe could be beneficial to your recovery. Studies have also shown that cardiovascular exercise paired with postural strengthening activities not only relieves widespread pain, but also increases energy levels, improves sleep, and elevates mood.
Your treatments will eventually shift toward active therapies, such as muscle strengthening, range-of-motion activities, and cardiovascular exercises.
Let Back In Action Physical Therapy in Ocean Pines, MD provide you with relief
Regardless of where you are on your journey, it is possible to find relief from even your worst fibromyalgia symptoms, through our Ocean Pines, MD physical therapy services.
Contact Back In Action Physical Therapy today for your appointment today and find out how we can get you started on the road to recovery.