What is Fibromyalgia? What treatments are there for Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a long-term medical syndrome and condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. Unlike pain from a bruise or a sprain, fibromyalgia pain doesn’t originate from any visible injury or damage to the body. Instead, it’s believed to be related to changes in how the brain and spinal cord process pain signals from the nerves. At BOOST PHYSIO we have been helping patients to treat and manage fibromyalgia for many years.
Many people with fibromyalgia describe to our Boost Physio team that their pain is a constant intense ache, some describe the pain as excrutiating- typically arising from muscles. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist.
Fatigue- Part Of Fibromyalgia
But it’s not just about pain. Most people with fibromyalgia describe to our physios a pervasive fatigue, similar to the exhaustion you’d feel from the flu, or chronic fatigue syndrome. The tiredness that our patients with Fibromyalgia describe to us tends to be a lingering, incapacitating fatigue that can interfere with even the most basic daily activities. Paradoxically people with fibromyalgia despite feeling constantly exhausted and fatigued – struggle to sleep.
If you have problems with your sleep related to Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue or post-viral infection, please see our guide we have created on ways to help improve this here.
Fibromyalgia And Fear Of Moving
Our patients with fibromyalgia tend to arrive at physio afraid of moving. They tend to be concerned that movement triggers or exacerbates their pain. The fatigue experienced, plus their pain levels experienced together with this misonception that movement is bad for their condition- usually leads to a downward spiral of loss of mobility, loss of muscle power and reduction in functional capability. Our physios spend large parts of our time coaching our fibromyalgia patients on the essential aspect of restoring movement and fitness in a safe, step by step “graded” way.
Strategies To Help Fibromyalgia
In addition to pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia can lead to other symptoms. Some people report problems with thinking and memory, often referred to as “fibro fog” or “brain fog”. This can manifest as difficulty concentrating on tasks, feeling mentally “hazy”, or forgetting simple information.
Fibromyalgia’s symptoms often mimic those of other conditions, which can make it challenging to diagnose. For instance, its pain can be mistaken for osteoarthritis, while its fatigue might be attributed to chronic fatigue syndrome. This overlapping nature means it’s important to get diagnosed properly in order to start managing it effectively.
While the exact causes of fibromyalgia remains a mystery, our physiotherapists work together with our patient to help manage their pain, improve function, fitness and mobility using a range of tools and strategies.
At BOOST PHYSIO, our expert physiotherapists help patients manage fibromyalgia symptoms with targeted physiotherapy treatments that improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance overall well-being.
1. Pain Relief Through Manual Therapy & Gentle Exercises
Physiotherapy helps relieve fibromyalgia pain with soft tissue techniques, stretching, acupuncture and gentle mobilisations. These treatments reduce muscle stiffness, improve circulation, and decrease sensitivity to pain over time.
2. Improved Flexibility & Mobility
Stiffness and muscle tightness are common in fibromyalgia due to fear of moving and the ensuing immobilty. We create personalised stretching and mobility programmes to improve range of motion, making daily activities easier and less painful.
3. Low-Impact Strength Training for Muscle Support
Weak muscles can contribute to pain, fatigue and immobility. Our physiotherapists incorporate low-impact strengthening exercises to build muscle endurance without overloading the body, helping to reduce discomfort and improve physical function.
4. Stress Management & Relaxation Techniques
Stress can worsen fibromyalgia symptoms. Physiotherapy incorporates breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and gentle movement therapies to calm the nervous system and promote better pain management.
5. Improved Sleep & Reduced Fatigue
Chronic pain often leads to poor sleep and increased fatigue. By reducing pain levels and improving movement, physiotherapy helps patients get better rest, leading to more energy and reduced daytime exhaustion.
At BOOST PHYSIO, we provide personalised physiotherapy treatments for people with fibromyalgia, helping patients regain control over their symptoms and improve their quality of life. If you are looking for a physiotherapist in North London, NW London, Hendon, Finchley, Hampstead or Borehamwood to help treat your fibromyalgia and help guide your recovery.
📞 Book a physiotherapy consultation today and take the first step toward better pain management.
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