Energize Sports Massage, Wirral sports massage

Understanding and Managing Fibromyalgia

Understanding and managing Fibromyalgia


Embracing Life with Fibromyalgia: Strategies for Coping and Thriving

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person's life. From managing chronic pain and fatigue to managing social relationships and maintaining emotional wellbeing, individuals with fibromyalgia face a unique set of challenges. In this blog post, we will explore these challenges and offer insights into coping strategies, the importance of community support, and the role of holistic well-being in managing fibromyalgia. 

 

The Daily Struggles

Living with fibromyalgia often means confronting a wide range of physical, emotional, and social challenges on a daily basis. Chronic pain, one of the most prominent symptoms of fibromyalgia, can make even simple tasks, such as getting dressed or preparing meals, feel overwhelming. Fatigue, another common symptom, can make it difficult to maintain a regular schedule or participate in activities that were once enjoyable. Additionally, individuals with fibromyalgia may face social challenges, such as feeling misunderstood by friends and family members who may not fully grasp the impact of the condition. To help manage these daily struggles, it is essential to develop practical coping strategies, such as pacing activities, prioritising self-care, and communicating openly with loved ones. For more practical advice and tips on living with fibromyalgia, please refer to our leaflet on ["Living with Fibromyalgia"](https://bit.ly/3TEYc0d).


Emotional Wellbeing and Fibromyalgia

The emotional toll of living with fibromyalgia cannot be overstated. Many individuals with fibromyalgia experience feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression, which can further compound the challenges of managing the physical symptoms of the condition. It is crucial for those with fibromyalgia to prioritise their emotional well-being and seek support when needed. This may involve working with a therapist who specialises in chronic pain management, practising stress-reduction techniques such as mindfulness or deep breathing, or joining a support group to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of living with fibromyalgia. As a massage therapist this is outside my scope of practice but it can it can be of great benefit to seek out help in these areas.

 

The Power of Community

 One of the most valuable resources for individuals living with fibromyalgia is the power of community. Connecting with others who have similar experiences can provide a sense of validation, understanding, and empowerment. Support groups, whether in-person or online, offer a platform for individuals to share their stories, exchange coping strategies, and find comfort in knowing they are not alone. In addition to support groups, there are many online resources and forums dedicated to fibromyalgia, where individuals can access information, ask questions, and engage with a wider community of people who understand the challenges of living with this condition.

 

Holistic Approaches to Management

Managing fibromyalgia effectively often requires a holistic approach that encompasses both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical treatments. While medication can play a role in managing pain and other symptoms, lifestyle changes and alternative therapies can be equally important in promoting overall well-being. This may include adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular low-impact exercise, practising stress-reduction techniques, and exploring complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or gentle yoga. By taking a holistic approach to fibromyalgia management, individuals can develop a personalised treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals. For more information on natural treatments for fibromyalgia, please see our leaflet on ["Natural Treatments for Fibromyalgia"](link-to-leaflet).


Conclusion

 Living with fibromyalgia can be a challenging and often overwhelming experience, but it is important to remember that you are not alone. By staying informed, seeking support, and exploring the various resources available, individuals with fibromyalgia can develop effective coping strategies and improve their overall quality of life. We encourage you to download our full set of resources for a more comprehensive understanding of fibromyalgia and its management. If you would like to connect with others who understand the challenges of living with fibromyalgia or have any questions, [insert some online or local communities/resources] and if you would like advice, please feel free to contact us at any time.

 

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice. The information provided herein is based on general medical knowledge and does not account for individual circumstances. It is crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment options tailored to your specific health condition.

 

Energize Sports Massage,14  Birnam Road, Wallasey, Wirral, CH44 9AX, Tel: 07768225580, Email: energizesportsmassage@yahoo.co.uk

Energize Sports Massage

Back Pain and Massage:

The chain of command

Your spine is essentially the chain that forms the ‘backbone’ of your entire body. Without it you would be a blob of muscles, organs and soft tissue piled on the floor.

Your spine commands respect because it is the pillar that supports your body, allows you to walk, stand and sit, as well as touch and feel; because it forms the canal connecting the nerves from your body and limbs, to your brain. While your heart may be the vital organ that keeps you alive, without your spine you wouldn’t be able to move.  

There are three natural curves in your spine that give it an “S” shape when viewed from the side. These curves help the spine withstand great amounts of stress by distributing your body weight. Between the bony vertebra are spongy discs that act as shock absorbers. The lumbar spine (or lower back) connects the thoracic spine to the pelvis, and bears the bulk of your body’s weight.

Your spine is not rigid though. It allows movement through the intervertebral joints connecting the bony vertebra. These joints allow you to twist, to bend forward and backward, and from side to side. Large groups of muscles surrounding the spine, pelvis, hips and upper body all interact to allow for movements like walking, running, jumping, and swimming.

However, there are also muscles deep in your body that work constantly just to maintain your posture when you’re sitting and standing. It is essential that all elements of the spinal ‘chain’ work harmoniously together to ensure fluid movement without overloading structures resulting in injury and pain.

Any link in the chain that becomes ‘stuck’ will not only affect that spinal level but also the movement and strength of the chain above and below it. If the muscles around the spine are uneven in strength and length (flexibility) this too can affect the ‘chain’, altering the alignment and motion of the links.

Taking care of your spine now will help you lower the chances of experiencing back pain later. Many of the steps you can take to improve the overall health of your spine involve nothing more than practicing better body mechanics, or how you move and hold yourself, when you do daily tasks and activities.

Taking Care of Your Spine

Pay attention to early warning signs or pain. Although back pain is very common and nearly every person will experience at least one episode of back pain in a lifetime, it is essential to address any symptoms promptly.

It has also been shown in studies that early treatment and rehabilitation can prevent recurrent bouts of back pain and prevent the development of chronic lower back pain which can be very debilitating, stressful and depressing. It can affect your ability to work, play sport, socialise and sleep, all of which can further compound your pain cycle.  

Your back pain could be due to inflamed ligaments, damaged intervertebral discs, nerve irritation, bony formations on the spine, muscle imbalances such as weakness or a lack of flexibility, leg length differences, or muscle strains, to name just a few. Even the way we move (or don’t move) at work, school or sport can all be an underlying cause to the current pain.

How Massage Can Help with Back Pain

A massage therapist can treat both the pain and stiffness experienced from back pain.

Massage can promote healing through increased blood circulation to the area, bringing with it oxygen and nutrients essential for tissue repair. This increased circulation also helps to reduce inflammation.

Targeted massage can release tight shortened muscles and improve flexibility and muscle balance.

At Energize Sport Massage a variety of different techniques are employed to aid recovery and reduce pain including trigger point therapy, myofascial release, deep tissue massage and kinesiology taping.

The increase in endorphin levels is one of the biggest benefits of massage. This can help relieve anxiety and depression associated with lower back pain and improve sleep, which in turn will reduce the stress of managing lower back pain.

Should you need referral to another professional your massage therapist will also be able to help with this, for example, a dietician to counsel on a meal plan to achieve a healthy body weight.

Being active can help prevent back pain and losing weight can often go a long way to relieving pain.

Chat to us today about what we can do to help.

Contact: Energize Sports massage on 07768225580

Email: emergizesportsmassage@yahoo.co.uk

Back Pain and Sleep Issues

One of the most common issues back pain sufferers experience is sleep disruption so we have put together an interactive Back Pain and Sleep Guide to help you banish those sleepless nights and wake up feeling refreshed.

The guide includes:

·         6 Strategies for Improving Your Sleep

·         8 bedtime stretches to relieve back pain (with video links)

·         Sleeping positions that will help relieve pain (with links to videos)

·         7 Yoga Poses that will help cure most back pain issues

·         A morning stretch routine that will help ease pain from a restless night (with videos)

Click this link to find out more and download the guide https://www.co-kinetic.com/landing/page?user_id=1577&campaign_id=720

Disclaimer: This information is intended as general guidance and information only and should not be relied upon as a basis for planning individual medical care or as a substitute for specialist medical advice in each individual case.

Posted 340 weeks ago