4 ways to a better and safer exercise with fibromyalgia

Exercise can lessen your pain and prevent weakness of your muscles. Endurance exercise, like walking and cycling, can help you become stronger overall and give you additional energy. In a nutshell, exercise will help you feel better overall. As long as you do it the right way, exercise can be one of the most effective treatments for those who suffer from fibromyalgia.

But it is important to keep in mind that having fibromyalgia makes you more vulnerable, prone to traumas and fatigue. So here is some advice on how to make exercise as safe as possible and to benefit from its positive effects without putting yourself in  danger.

Important: always consult with your doctor before taking up any physcial activity.

1. Start Slowly

If you suffer from fibromyalgia, you know that you are not usually energetic and that your body has likely become somewhat stagnant. Because of the blow to your overall physical fitness, you should make sure you start slowly. With that in mind, one of the best exercise tips or fibromyalgia suffers is to go from low amounts and intensities in your workouts and work up to the higher ones and longer sessions. Helpful exercises for those with fibromyalgia include low impact exercises, walking, and anything that may be designed for those with arthritis. Water exercise classes and programs, in fact, are as good as any for those with fibromyalgia.

2. Stretch First

No matter what exercise you choose to help you with your fibromyalgia, you have to stretch first. No matter what, one of the top exercise tips for fibromyalgia sufferers you will get is to stretch. Stretching helps your body warm up before activity begins. Additionally, it is its own type of exercise and can improve blood flow. You will also greatly reduce the risk of injury as you exercise if you remember to stretch first.

3. Soreness is Okay

Another one of the exercise tips for fibromyalgia sufferers is to expect some soreness. Listen to your body and make sure you don’t overdo things, but when you start a new exercise program, you are going to feel some soreness. As you continue your program and become stronger, though, the soreness will likely begin to subside. If, though, the pain gets worse or is intense, then it is time to cut back on the exercise. Additionally, talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program to make sure your fibromyalgia will cause no complications. If he or she gives you the okay then you will be on your way to feeling better and being happier.

4. Find an Exercise You Enjoy

Find an activity you love to do, look forward to, and that fits into your routine. This way you’ll be more likely to stick with it. Whether you begin with a simple walk to the mailbox, or as you improve you find that you’re doing a dance class, going for a walk in the park, doing yoga, or even shopping, doing something you love makes it more likely that you’ll stick with it.

Source: northwestpainreliefcenters.com, drhoffman.com

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Do you do any physical activity? How does it make you feel?

What tips can you share with the community?