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If you don’t move it, you will lose it (functional mobility that is).
How do I know this? It happened to me. When I became pregnant with my son, my fibromyalgia symptoms were in full flare mode, and because of my pregnancy I could no longer take any medications for the pain.
The pain became especially bad in my left shoulder, so much so that I stopped using my left arm almost entirely. I did the worst thing that you can do for fibromyalgia, I stopped being active. By the time my son was born my left arm had atrophied and I had lost most of my functional mobility in it. I felt twice my age for I couldn’t even perform simple tasks such as opening a jar. As soon as I could, I returned to physical therapy.
I have learned the hard way that the less I move the worse I feel, and the more I move the better I feel.
So what is the point I am trying to make? Just move, and then keep on moving!
Yes it may be a little uncomfortable at first but I have found that a little discomfort helps to increase my pain tolerance. At the very least try to get out and do a little walk, and the next day a little more, then keep on walking. Don’t forget to swing your arms, they need to move too. As you progress try to add in some light hand weights to help keep your arms strong. Do your best to get in your 10,000 steps a day. Remember you don’t have to do them all at once. Exercise is cumulative, at the end of the day it all adds up.
Don’t guard yourself to the point of no return. Trust me the ability to move is not something that you want to take for granted. Like the old saying goes, “if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
Tina Whitlock is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Sharecare Fitness Expert with a unique perspective from her experience with fibromyalgia. View her profile on Sharecare.com to learn more about her story.
How do I know this? It happened to me. When I became pregnant with my son, my fibromyalgia symptoms were in full flare mode, and because of my pregnancy I could no longer take any medications for the pain.
The pain became especially bad in my left shoulder, so much so that I stopped using my left arm almost entirely. I did the worst thing that you can do for fibromyalgia, I stopped being active. By the time my son was born my left arm had atrophied and I had lost most of my functional mobility in it. I felt twice my age for I couldn’t even perform simple tasks such as opening a jar. As soon as I could, I returned to physical therapy.
I have learned the hard way that the less I move the worse I feel, and the more I move the better I feel.
So what is the point I am trying to make? Just move, and then keep on moving!
Yes it may be a little uncomfortable at first but I have found that a little discomfort helps to increase my pain tolerance. At the very least try to get out and do a little walk, and the next day a little more, then keep on walking. Don’t forget to swing your arms, they need to move too. As you progress try to add in some light hand weights to help keep your arms strong. Do your best to get in your 10,000 steps a day. Remember you don’t have to do them all at once. Exercise is cumulative, at the end of the day it all adds up.
Don’t guard yourself to the point of no return. Trust me the ability to move is not something that you want to take for granted. Like the old saying goes, “if you don’t use it, you lose it.”
Tina Whitlock is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Sharecare Fitness Expert with a unique perspective from her experience with fibromyalgia. View her profile on Sharecare.com to learn more about her story.
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CONDITIONS AND COMMUNITIES:
Back Pain
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Obesity
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Pregnancy
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Pregnancy - Teens
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Pregnancy After Loss/Infertility
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Displaying comments 7-1 of 7
7
Nothing like some natural endorphins to help with pain relief. Too bad they don't last all day. :-(
By HayWire0831 Sep 28, 2011
6
My fibro makes me feel like I'm in a constant state of working out.
By JournalReader Sep 27, 2011
5
I have fibro since my early teens, I am 36 yrs now. I have tried many techniques trying 2 dare the pain, I to find it hard 2 exercise, what made exercise a little capable is to do it in a warm climate. I want to try hot yoga once in my life time, told that has great rewards to relieve pain. I messed that exercise can be unbearable when It's not warm enough.
By Roop36 Jul 07, 2011
4
I don't agree, my fibro is so bad at times that the more I move, walk, swim I get stiffer! My doctor told me that there are two groups of fibro patients, One group needs to move to feel better and one group needs to stay still to feel better! Glad you are feeling better!
By bellaroseshell Jul 01, 2011
3
i soooo agree if u don't walk or move u freeze up even tho i hurt usually gettin' flares above my hips or lower back but i found a product that helps some it's BIOFREEZE i usually try when i remember to roll this on before i go walkin' but if i don't then i do it as soon as i get back atleast gives me some relief......
By nascardalejr Jun 24, 2011
2
Hi Tina, I have been diagnosed with FM but really I have gadolinium associated systemic fibrosis. I can lift 2 1/2 lbs weights once and my muscles turn hard as rocks. So goes the fibrosing process. I got my disease from having many MRIs with gadolinium based contrasting agents. I am trying to get better but it will be from detoxing. Although I do try and keep moving because if I don't I get so stiff that I don't want to move at all. Take care and I liked your article.
By gasf Jun 15, 2011
1
Great article! This was the number one lesson I had to learn with fibromyalgia. I tried the not moving to keep the pain at bay and it never went away, so I said I am going to walk. It was soooo Painful because my feet are one of the areas that spasm, burn, and pain. I kept it up through the pain and finally am able to walk a mile or two. I was able to walk with weights a couple of years ago but I can't do that right now. I am hoping to work back up to it. I learned that walking not only helps our mobility stay intact, it helps me mentally to get out into the sunshine, fresh air, and nature. Thank you for sharing. Kimmee
By kimdolly Jun 06, 2011
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