Fibromyalgia is an often-frustrating condition for both patients and their doctors because so much has yet to be learned about its causes and mechanisms of operation. Triggers and symptoms are documented fairly well, but the mechanics of this condition are still mysterious in many ways. For those living with fibromyalgia, a careful balance of activities is often required to avoid triggering symptoms.
The Importance of Self Care
Stress is one of the biggest triggers for fibromyalgia pain and fatigue, and the stress can be physical or mental. Simply overextending a little bit can cause fatigue that sidelines your activities for a day or more where the same kind of extra effort would only require a couple of hours of extra rest for other people. Whether your main flare symptoms are pain, fatigue or both varies a lot from patient to patient, but one thing that is common is that activity does help keep symptoms at bay.
That means self-care for fibromyalgia patients is a combination of knowing when it is time to rest before the body tells you and persistence at exercise anyway. Many patients opt for physical therapy Cherry Hill to minimize travel time and the extra effort it entails.
Flares can also be caused by foods that encourage inflammation and certain weather conditions, so dietary changes are often needed. Even then, for those with environmental triggers, a big part of self-care is knowing when the triggers you do not control require you to reduce the ones you do. Sometimes that means calling off a walk because you probably won’t make it through your normal route today.
Incorporating Medication and Physical Therapy
Medication has proven effective for controlling many fibromyalgia symptoms. Some patients use pain medication, but that is hardly universal. Often, the most effective medications are those that help offset the mood changes that can accompany flares and those that address underlying inflammation issues. Hydroxychloroquine is commonly prescribed for this reason, as are several different anti-anxiety medications.
The best physical therapy for fibromyalgia is an approach that reduces stress on the joints and patient fatigue while providing mood benefits that can help offset some of the less tangible symptoms of the disorder. Aquatic therapy has proven to be very successful because it accomplishes all of these goals, but there are other options as well. The key is providing a routine that builds overall strength and stamina without overtaxing the patient and causing an extended recovery time, and that takes a very careful approach.
How To Find Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia
There are a couple of ways to find an appropriate physical therapist for this condition. Often, your doctor will have ideas in mind because of work with other patients that have had positive results at those offices. That is hardly the only way to do it, though.
You can also search physical therapy near me to review the local options. That can help if you want to find a place that is conveniently located to minimize travel, and it gives you the chance to review the options and techniques used before you start. Start your search today to find the physical therapy that fits your goals.