Fibromyalgia: Breaking the Pain Cycle

Thinking about exercising when you have fibromyalgia is daunting. However, Dr. Clauw emphasizes that getting fibromyalgia patients active as soon and as much as possible can improve everything from sleep to depression to chronic pain.

As hard to believe as it may seem if you are suffering from fibromyalgia and pain, “Our results suggest that previously observed aberrant intrinsic brain connectivity patterns in [fibromyalgia] are partly normalized by the physical exercise therapy.”

Treatments suggested getting people with fibromyalgia to exercise, using mild aerobic techniques. Over time the nervous system will rewire, and you will experience pain reduction. To put it in layman’s terms, take a slow and leisurely walk around the block, increase your pace daily, and you will begin to feel less pain.