Fibromyalgia Facts

What are the Benefits of Exercise for Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that causes widespread muscle pain. People with fibromyalgia have tender points with pain at specific places (point tenderness) on the neck, shoulders, arms, back, hips and legs.

Other symptoms are:

  • fatigue (feeling tired),
  • insomnia (trouble sleeping),
  • morning stiffness,
  • headaches,
  • dysmenorrhea (pain during menstruation),
  • paresthesias (tingling or numbness in the hands and feet),
  • cognitive problems (impaired concentration and memory, which is called “fibro fog”).

Fibromyalgia syndrome is associated with muscular and cardiovascular deconditioning (being out of shape). In fibromyalgia there is a vicious circle of pain which usually leads to inactivity and decreased fitness and yet more pain with activity.

Recommended fibromyalgia exercises are:

  • low intensity aerobic exercise,
  • gentle stretching and flexibility exercise,
  • hydrotherapy, exercise in warm water.

Strength training exercise may be beneficial for some people with fibromyalgia.

In exercise for fibromyalgia; it is very important to start slowly at low intensities of exercise. It is best to exercise a few minutes every day than overdoing it on a single day. This will result in maximal benefits with minimal exacerbations of pain.