Exercise, Fitness, and Fibromyalgia

I previously mentioned weight loss and reducing obesity as an important factor in fibromyalgia. Other changes in the diet can help many suffering from fibromyalgia.

It makes sense, your placing less stress on your body by getting closer to an optimal weight. Losing weight, if overweight, also increases your ability to move and to exercise.

A 2015 study supports improving physical fitness is also a good idea if you have fibromyalgia.

From the study, “Our results suggest that higher physical fitness is consistently associated with lower FM severity in women with FM. Aerobic fitness and flexibility present independent associations with FM severity.”

Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Sep;96(9):1599-605. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.03.015. Epub 2015 Mar 31. Association of Physical Fitness With Fibromyalgia Severity in Women: The al-Ándalus Project. Soriano-Maldonado A1, Henriksen M2, Segura-Jiménez V3, Aparicio VA4, Carbonell-Baeza A5, Delgado-Fernández M3, Amris K2, Ruiz JR3.

The problem is that fibromyalgia patients are commonly very fatigued and have widespread pain.

Both of which tend to limit physical activity.

A good doctor can explain a way that you can slowly improve your fitness levels in a manner that will not cause additional pain or drive what is likely a central (brain based) problem too much.

More is not always better. Often, a slow graded approach is the best approach.

This is another important reason to see a doctor that understands pain because your capacity for exercise can be evaluated easily in the office.