| Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic | | | | condition further. |
| disorder that affects millions of Americans each year. | | | | 7. Make Sleep a Priority: Patients who suffer from |
| It is characterized by widespread muscle pain, | | | | Fibromyalgia often report feelings of overwhelming |
| fatigue, and multiple tender points. And despite its | | | | exhaustion. Fibromyalgia disrupts sleep patterns and |
| prevalence, Fibromyalgia is often misunderstood and | | | | may leave its sufferers feeling more fatigued in the |
| under diagnosed in the medical community. Doctors | | | | morning than before they went to sleep. But healthy, |
| have yet to understand the exact cause of the | | | | restorative sleep is a very important component in |
| condition or locate a cure for it's symptoms. | | | | the treatment of Fibromyalgia. |
| However, that does not mean that Fibromyalgia | | | | 8. Set A Schedule: It is important to try to maintain a |
| sufferers are doomed to a life of constant pain and | | | | regular sleep schedule, going to bed and waking at |
| exhaustion. There are several things that you can do | | | | the same time. Setting a regular sleep schedule will |
| to fight Fibromyalgia and get your life back. | | | | help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout |
| 14 Points To Remember | | | | the night. |
| 1. Keep Moving: Regular daily exercise is the key to | | | | 9. Block Out Distractions: If you know that the |
| regulating the growth hormone that maintains good | | | | neighbor has a noisy dog, or that your spouse will |
| muscle and soft tissue health and assisting in deep | | | | start snoring in the night, take measure to block out |
| sleep. So often, people who suffer from Fibromyalgia | | | | these distractions before they become a problem. |
| respond to the pain in their muscles and joints by | | | | Wear ear protection and an eye mask to bed if |
| reducing their daily movement. But this is actually one | | | | necessary to block out all light and sound. |
| of the worst things you can do. Reducing movement | | | | 10. Skip The Coffee: Caffeine beverages can disrupt |
| can aggravate the pain and stiffness in the body and | | | | sleep patterns well into the night. Stay away from |
| increase the possibility for injury. Exercise is a | | | | coffee, chocolate, and caffeinated beverages for at |
| necessary and vital way to fight the symptoms of | | | | least four [4] hours before bed time. |
| Fibromyalgia. It also helps to improve the circulation, | | | | 11. Reduce Stress: Stress can be just as harmful to |
| maintain bowel regularity, and reduce stress. | | | | the body physically as it is emotionally. It can |
| 2. Talk To Your Doctor: You should always check in | | | | aggravate the tension in the muscles, increase pain in |
| with your health care provider embarking on your | | | | the joints, disrupt sleep patterns, and upset the |
| new fitness plan. Your doctor can help you evaluate | | | | digestive system. If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, |
| the exercise that would be most beneficial for your | | | | your body is under enough stress without adding an |
| condition. | | | | additional burden. Make an effort to reduce the |
| 3. Know Your Limitations: The goal of your | | | | emotional stress in your life so that your body can |
| Fibromyalgia exercises should not be overexertion. | | | | focus on healing. |
| Vigorous exercise will make your muscles contract | | | | 12. Take A Deep Breathe: Stress management |
| and jar your sensitive joints. Incorporate exercise into | | | | techniques such as deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, and |
| your routine slowly. | | | | meditation are great ways to reduce stress and calm |
| 4. Don't Forget To Stretch: Gentle stretching | | | | the body. |
| exercises can help to improve the stiffness of | | | | 13. Learn To Say No: Most of us do not know how |
| muscles and ligaments. They also improve the range | | | | to say "no." We over commit ourselves at work, at |
| of motion and help to loosen contracted muscles. Be | | | | home, and with our friends. This is especially |
| sure to include stretching exercises at the beginning | | | | problematic for people who suffer from Fibromyalgia |
| and end of each exercise session. | | | | as the pain and fatigue of the condition can make it |
| 5. Make It Fun: Exercise does not have to be painful | | | | impossible to accomplish even the most ordinary daily |
| or boring in order to be effective. Choose exercises | | | | tasks. It is OK to say "no" if you do not feel up to a |
| that you enjoy, such as walking, bicycling, or | | | | certain task or outing. |
| swimming, and aim for thirty minutes of movement | | | | 14. Change Your Scenery: Some people are "stress |
| each day. | | | | producers." They live for stressful events and seem |
| 6. Set Goals: The key to Fibromyalgia exercise is not | | | | to conjure up stress and drama if none currently |
| to push yourself beyond your own limits. But you can | | | | exists. Do not hang around with people make you |
| still work towards accomplishing achievable goals. Just | | | | feel bad about yourself, or in any way contribute to |
| be sure to listen to your body and make sure that | | | | the stress in your life. |
| the exercises you are doing will not aggravate your | | | | |