Do you s uffer from fibromyalgia? For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, fibromyalgia is a type of illness that is characterized by fatigue and intense pain in the ligaments, tendons, and muscles. People who have this disease often experience aching pain all over their body, which can frequently manifest for long periods of time. Even if you aren’t diagnosed with this debilitating disease and still suffer from chronic pain, yoga can provide relief!
A study done at Texas Tech University’s Health Sciences Center found that a regimen of gentle yoga stretches and meditation help reduced pain in fibromyalgia patients and gave them the tools to help them cope with it. The benefits of yoga for people with fibromyalgia are numerous! Here are just a few reasons why you might want to consider starting a yoga practice if you’re experience chronic pain—
Yoga has been shown to:
• Decrease muscle pain
• Improve muscle strength
• Help improve your sleep
• Regulate your mood and decrease the risk of depression
If you’re suffering from fibromyalgia, here are some helpful hints to help you manage your pain and get your life back on track—
Learn when to work through pain. Since the pain caused by fibromyalgia seems to be caused by amplified nerve signals, you’re probably not damaging your muscles or tissues when you feel a pinch during an asana. However, it’s important to recognize the difference between slight discomfort (which can be beneficial!) and sharp pain. This can apply to everyone, not just fibromyalgia sufferers!
Keep track of your poses. Try writing down which asanas (the yoga postures) make you feel better and which ones aren’t as effective. These types of observations can be helpful when determining what kind of yoga works best for you!
Try more than one approach. There are many different types of yoga out there! If one doesn’t work as well for you, try a different one. Hatha and vinyasa yoga are particularly effective for people suffering from chronic pain. You can also try pranayama (deep breating), chanting, meditation, and guided imagery. All of these things can help you to control the pain and quiet your mind so that you aren’t suffering physically AND mentally. You can also experiment with other types of pain control. Acupuncture, massage, and other forms of bodywork have been shown to work wonders for pain relief.
Don’t overdo it! You might feel the urge to jump feet-first into a vigorous yoga practice, but it’s important to take it slow at first. While physical exercise is a great way to improve your symptoms, you want to begin your yoga practice slowly in order to avoid hurting yourself. If you’re feeling particularly tired, remember not to push yourself too hard. Try some restorative poses like seated forward bends and Child’s Pose to help you relax.
Most importantly, listen to your body! Remember to do what feels good to you!
