I have recently been diagnosed and I need to get back into exercising and stretching. I'm not sure where to start. I am in a lot of pain (this is my first flare up and it has lasted since the end of September). I haven't done any form of exercise in a few months. I ordered the High Step and beginner video and I have the beginner step DVD but I know I have to be careful what I do. Does anyone have this problem and can you give any advice on the best DVD to start on? Thanks
Fibromyalgia and exercise
- Thread starter energize
- Start date
Miss Lee
Cathlete
A friend of mine suffers from fibromyalgia and she said she has had the most success with pilates style workouts accompanied by walking (she mostly uses a treadmill). I believe she uses Winsor or Stott pilates DVD's. HTH
ETA how thoughtless I am!! I just want to say that I'm so sorry about your diagnosis and I hope you find relief for your pain soon. I'm sending hugs and prayers your way
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Michele
ETA how thoughtless I am!! I just want to say that I'm so sorry about your diagnosis and I hope you find relief for your pain soon. I'm sending hugs and prayers your way
.Michele
I'm sorry, too, and I hope you feel better soon. I don't know much about fibromyalgia - is it permanent pain or does it come and go?
I would check with your doctor or a physical therapist to see where it makes the most sense to start. There's no point in exercising yourself back into excruciating pain, right?
Good luck!
Marie
I would check with your doctor or a physical therapist to see where it makes the most sense to start. There's no point in exercising yourself back into excruciating pain, right?
Good luck!
Marie
Thank you so much Michele and Marie for your kind words. The pain is chronic but hopefully I will only have flare ups every so often. I just haven't been able to get this one (my first by the way) to calm down. I will probably start by walking on the treadmill. I hope I can use Cathe's dvds because I just purchased them and and the step and they haven't even been used yet!!!
Thanks again for your prayers.
Thanks again for your prayers.
First I'm so sorry to hear that you've got fibromyalgia.
My mom has fibromyalgia and is 58 years old. The hardest adjustment she had to make was if she overdid it (exercise wise) her condition really deteriorated. She would literally be back to square one and have to work up to doing her regular exercise after she had conquered the worst of the pain. She finds walking on the treadmill works well for her. Her one leg is quite weak due to the fibromyalgia so she does 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening. Her doctor told her she was not allowed to do any weight lifting (not even light weights) so I'd recommend checking with your doctor. Swimming can also be beneficial if you are not going to be jostled at the pool.
Take care!
My mom has fibromyalgia and is 58 years old. The hardest adjustment she had to make was if she overdid it (exercise wise) her condition really deteriorated. She would literally be back to square one and have to work up to doing her regular exercise after she had conquered the worst of the pain. She finds walking on the treadmill works well for her. Her one leg is quite weak due to the fibromyalgia so she does 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening. Her doctor told her she was not allowed to do any weight lifting (not even light weights) so I'd recommend checking with your doctor. Swimming can also be beneficial if you are not going to be jostled at the pool.
Take care!
So sorry to hear about your diagnosis.
My neighbor was recently also diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. She has begun a pool program at a local gym that is specifically for these type of conditions.
Don't know if this would interest you or even if there is one available in your area.....but she has had some pain relief by joining up, and her flexability has increased, so thought I would mention it to you. I actually found out about it for her by calling rehabs and gyms in our area.
Julie
My neighbor was recently also diagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. She has begun a pool program at a local gym that is specifically for these type of conditions.
Don't know if this would interest you or even if there is one available in your area.....but she has had some pain relief by joining up, and her flexability has increased, so thought I would mention it to you. I actually found out about it for her by calling rehabs and gyms in our area.
Julie
I have fibro, and the most beneficial and least stressful exercise for me is 1) water work 2) light walking (not power walking) and 3) pilates. I can usually manage to do all 3 of these even in a flareup, although sometimes walking can aggravate if you go too fast or too far. I would stay away from Cathe until you can do all 3 of these without any problem. Deep water helps increase your circulation, get rid of fluid retention in the legs, eases the muscle stiffness, and may also stimulate your endorphins which are your body's natural painkillers. It works wonders for me. The Pilates is very gentle (do a beginner workout) and helps strengthen your back and helps with that pain also.
Beth
Beth
Well, don't laugh but the one I like the best is "Denise Austin JH Pilates Mat work." This is the only Pilates one of hers I like. I started with Stott but found her so boring and monotonous, I have also tried several advanced WInsors, Kathy Smith and a Pilates ball workout, but honestly, this little 22 minute gem of Denise's is just the best short workout I've ever done. She has an instructional segment you can access. You can read reviews of it at Collage, they are similar to mine, it really relieves low back pain and leaves you feeling worked out and yet also stretched and relaxed at the same time. When I first started doing it my abs were mildly sore, especially the lower transverse, so I knew it was working. I never do the yoga (the second 20 min workout on the dvd) because it is too fast paced.
Beth
Beth