Is Fibromyalgia Hindering Your Lifestyle?
Physical Therapy Can Help You Find Relief for Your Fibromyalgia Symptoms
It is normal to experience a little bit of pain from time to time. You may feel sore from exercising too much, or you may stub your toe on a piece of furniture. Most of the time, you’re able to shake it off or take ibuprofen and go about your day. However, sometimes you can experience pain that’s widespread and chronic, failing to diminish despite your best efforts. This can cause a large impact on your life that anti-inflammatory drugs simply will not fix. If you are suffering from chronic pain that is accompanied by fatigue, changes in mood, or irregular sleep patterns, you may be dealing with a more serious physiological condition, known as fibromyalgia.
Do you know if you have been living with fibromyalgia? It can sometimes be difficult to tell, as the symptoms can vary.
If you can identify, contact GoodLife Physical Therapy today to request an appointment with one of our Homer Glen, Orland Park and Evergreen Park, IL physical therapists. We can help provide relief for your fibromyalgia. If you are unsure whether or not you’re being affected by this condition, contact our clinic for more information.
Fibromyalgia defined
Fibromyalgia is somewhat of an umbrella term used to describe someone who is experiencing a certain combination of symptoms.
Although the exact causes of fibromyalgia are still unclear, some medical experts believe it may be caused by an overactive sympathetic nervous system – the part of your body that elicits “fight or flight” responses.
This theory makes sense, as people tend to develop their first symptoms of fibromyalgia after experiencing a physically or emotionally traumatic event, though it has never been scientifically proven.
Some people who develop fibromyalgia begin with chronic bouts of stress or depression, while other symptoms build over time.
Fibromyalgia also tends to affect more women than men, and your likelihood of developing it increases if you have a family member with the same condition.
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Nausea
- Disrupted sleep cycles/irregular sleep schedules
- Sensitivity to touch/numbness
- Chronic and/or sharp muscle pains
- Tender areas of the body
- Fatigue
- Fluctuations in mood
- Forgetfulness or disorientation
Physical therapy and fibromyalgia relief
Since fibromyalgia is not a disease, but rather a range of symptoms, there is no single, surefire treatment for the condition. There is no cure. However, physical therapy has been shown to successfully help patients manage their symptoms.
At GoodLife Physical Therapy in Homer Glen, Orland Park and Evergreen Park, IL we can provide effective treatments for both managing symptoms in the long-term and regaining optimum function in your body.
If you have fibromyalgia and visit our clinic, our physical therapists will examine your physical abilities, analyze your medical history, and discuss your current symptoms, in order to design a treatment plan that will fit your unique needs.
Primary physicians will typically prescribe some sort of pain medication or an anti-depressant to manage symptoms; however, those medications do not address the chronic nature of the condition or the loss of function that chronic pain and distress typically bring.
Physical therapy treatments will typically begin with pain-relieving modalities to provide relief and promote healing. This may include the use of trigger point therapy, massage, stretching, electrical stimulation, or other therapeutic tools that our physical therapist believes could be beneficial to your recovery.
After this, your treatments will shift toward active therapies, such as muscle strengthening, range-of-motion activities, and cardiovascular exercises.
We understand that sometimes, taking the first step to getting treatment for a pain condition can be the hardest part. That’s why we’re here to reassure you that when you come to GoodLife Physical Therapy in Homer Glen, Orland Park or Evergreen Park, IL you’re in good hands.
Are you ready to find relief from fibromyalgia pain?
Regardless of where you are on your journey, it is possible to find relief from even your worst fibromyalgia symptoms, through our physical therapy services. Contact GoodLife Physical Therapy in Homer Glen, Orland Park or Evergreen Park, IL today for your appointment today and find out how we can get you started on the road to recovery.
