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

FIFA World Cup Fever

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From the die-hard supporters, to devoted players, and little dreamers in the backyard – it’s unlikely that you’ll manage to escape the craze that comes with the FIFA World Cup. Even if you’re not normally a football fan, you’ll probably find yourself drawn into watching a few matches as the madness starts to engulf us.

 Football has the power to bring the proverbial pauper and king together. Like the Olympic games, it is a human experience that can bring races, religions, cultures and nationalities together with no other commonality than the joy of a shared experience.

 Football is an international language. According to Babbel, 1.5 billion people speak English (20% of the world’s population) and according to FIFA, 270 million people play association football (4% of the world’s population). But if you take into account the casual kick arounds in the parks, or on the dusty patches Africa’s huge continent, or in town squares pretty much anywhere in the world, the number is likely to dwarf the number of English speakers in the world. EVERYONE can kick a ball around for free, which makes it a powerful force for change throughout the world.

 Here are a few injury facts and figures that you can drop into conversation during this month’s World Cup.

1) Apart from concussions, nearly 83% of injuries occur to the lower limb, most commonly the ankle in men and the knee in women

 2} Nearly a quarter of all injuries are caused by tackling

3] Midfielders are most at risk experiencing nearly 40% of all the injuries on a pitch Muscle strains to the thigh – most frequently the hamstring muscle are in the top three injuries. {This is often a consequence of tight hip flexors in amateur players in my experience.)

4} Muscle injuries are often associated with a burst of acceleration/sprinting, sudden stopping, lunging, sliding (over stretching the muscle) or a high kick. Whereas ankle and knee injuries, where ligaments are strained, occur with cutting, twisting, jumping, changing direction and contact/tackling

·5} Groin pain is also a common complaint and may be due to poor kicking technique as well as weakness in the core and pelvis – 1 in 5 players will experience a groin injury in a season

· 6} And 40% of those groin injuries will cause a player to have to take more than 28 days off from play 

We’ve put together six printable/downloadable advice sheets on the most common soccer injuries, and how to both prevent and treat them so next time someone walks through the door with an injury, you can be ready to tackle their injury head on.

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 You can download the leaflets here, 

https://www.co-kinetic.com/landing/page?user_id=1577&campaign_id=781

 In most cases an underlying weakness or imbalance in the muscles of the leg, core and pelvis is the cause of many injuries. In fact your physical fitness is the single most important factor in preventing soccer injuries.

 Neuromuscular training for the knee can reduce the incidence of series knee injuries by 3.5 times

· A 3 x a week pre-season proprioceptive training programme resulted in a 7 x decrease in ACL injury and an 87% reduction in the risk of suffering an ankle sprain

·A strength training programme can reduce the incidence of injuries by nearly half (47%) compared to soccer players who did no additional strength training.

 If you want to understand more about any of these aspects then come and talk to us. A good training programme incorporating both strength and neuromuscular/proprioceptive training can go a very long way to helping you prevent an injury occurring in the first place.

Ticking all the right boxes and taking the right preparation will greatly reduce the chance of ijury but if obviously they still occur. So if you need help in tr.eating an injury or want to take steps in injury prevention I can help. I will assess range of motion and excess muscle tone and take steps offload the effects of games and training. 

If you’ve suffered from a soccer injury or your kids, family or friends have suffered from one, go and check out our downloadable leaflets at this link

https://www.co-kinetic.com/landing/page?user_id=1577&campaign_id=781&custom_page=https://landing.co-kinetic.com/soccerhandouts&thank_display=true

And be sure to check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/EnergizeSportsMassageWirral where we’re posting some World Cup-special posts packed with fun and informative tips and tricks to help you stay safe on the football pitch.

Posted 331 weeks ago