Fibromyalgia | How Pilates Can Help Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia,
PILATES can help

Testimonial

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in October of 2005 just one month before my 30th birthday. I thought I was truly falling apart at age 30. I worked with my first doctor on her regimen for “helping” patients. After gaining 20 lbs in 4 months and generally not feeling ANY better I asked her if we could try something different. Her comment to me was “You need to work harder”. That was my last appointment!

After about a year of this my best girlfriend sat me down and said she missed her friend. At that very moment I decided to change. I found a new doctor that was willing to work with me. In addition to the new Rheumatoid Arthritis doctor I also went to my chiropractor and found the best massage therapist! All of these changes were a great start but I was still missing something… EXERCISE! I kept telling myself that I would hurt more if I exercised... I was lying to myself! I finally picked up the phone and called Viva Pilates Studio. Marilyn answered the phone in her soft caring voice and listened to my story. Instantly I felt at ease and couldn’t wait for my first personal lesson with her.

The changes I have noticed are tremendous. The most important change is the way I feel! I have more energy to get through the day, my flexibility has improved and I have physical strength!

My husband says to me often “Evangelize what you believe in”… I believe in Viva Pilates! Thank you Marilyn for helping me change my life.

Jenna Pitts

FIBROMYALGIA - Pilates provides help

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome with widespread tender points and muscle pain throughout the body. Most people with fibromyalgia also report other symptoms including fatigue and difficulty sleeping. There is no cure for fibromyalgia but there are many options to help manage pain and symptoms.

Exercise is one of the leading treatments for fibromyalgia and Pilates is a great way to start exercising safely and intelligently. Pilates is a low-impact activity and the movements can be modified just for you and your specific needs. Pilates avoids putting excess demand on muscles, which is important for people with fibromyalgia. In fact, a scientific study in 2009 found that people with fibromyalgia who did Pilates had less pain, better physical function and were able to do more of the daily activities they enjoyed.

Pilates is becoming an increasingly popular form of self care treatment for individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome. Like Yoga, Pilates is a therapeutic form of exercise that helps to treat a variety of fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain and fatigue. But what exactly is Pilates and how can it help to treat fibromyalgia symptoms? What makes Pilates an important component of fibromyalgia treatment?

Pilates, a non-impact method of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates over 80 years ago, is designed to stretch, strengthen and balance the body. Pilates has proven itself invaluable both as fitness and as an important adjunct to professional sports training and physical rehabilitation modalities.

How can Pilates help those with fibromyalgia?

Pilates can help individuals with fibromyalgia because it helps build muscle strength and reduces overall muscle tension.
Pilates exercises help alleviate widespread fibromyalgia pain by focusing on gentle strengthening and low impact movement while avoiding jarring movements that can cause injury.
Pilates helps to increase overall energy levels, thereby helping to reduce fatigue. Pilates movements are performed with smooth control. The movement is calming which helps control anxiety and fibrofog.
Pilates has both stretching and strengthening aspects to every movement which makes it a particularly beneficial exercise for fibromyalgia sufferers.

If you, a friend or loved one suffer from fibromyalgia, remember that Pilates not only helps safely stretch and strengthen the body, it can also help manage pain and improve the quality of life. It is also important to remember the benefits of a healthy fibromyalgia diet when managing fibromyalgia syndrome.

Reference:
Lale Altan, MD, et al. Effect of Pilates Training on People with Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Pilot Study. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. December 2009. Vol. 90. No. 12. Pp 1983-1988.