Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. It’s not really understood what causes the condition, but it’s thought that triggers from physical or emotional injury, infection or stress can be at the root, or inherited genes.
FMS awareness day is on May 12, so I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about how yoga can go some way to ease the discomfort and pain the syndrome results in.
For the most part during this blog, I’m using information from the NHS, to ensure accuracy: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
As well as widespread pain, other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Increased sensitivity to pain
- Muscle stiffness
- Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, which can make you feel very tired (fatigue)
- Problems with mental processes (known as “fibro-fog”), such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating
- Feelings of frustration, worry or low mood.
And these symptoms can sometimes suddenly improve or get worse, so it’s very difficult to maintain a ‘normal’ routine of energy and exercise.
How fibromyalgia is treated
Although there’s currently no cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments available to help relieve some of the symptoms and make the condition easier to live with.
They include a combination of:
- Prescription painkillers – Whilst the usual painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are not recommended for FMS symptoms, there are prescription drugs that may alleviate the pain
- Lifestyle changes, such as exercise programmes and relaxation techniques that help keep muscles supple
- Talking therapies to ease anxiety and low mood
- Sometimes antidepressants are also recommended.
In particular, exercise has a number of important benefits for people with fibromyalgia, including helping to reduce pain. NHS
Yoga and keeping FMS pain at bay
Two members of Ad Astra yoga classes are living with fibromyalgia. And one of them has been kind enough to tell me how movement and relaxation has helped her mange her condition:
‘I was first diagnosed with FMS in 2017, although I have experienced chronic pains since I was 6. The initial treatment plan included a range of medications to reduce pain, and physiotherapy to try and get me moving normally again. Although the medications didn’t help me, lifestyle changes such as diet and graduated exercise have reduced my pains to manageable levels.
At only 17 the chronic pain had left me walking with a limp, and lack of mobility meant even simple tasks like putting on socks was a challenge! After individual physiotherapy I was recommended a recovery Pilates group. This followed a graduated approach which is always recommended for fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions. The exercises built up gradually giving our bodies time to adjust to the new routine. I then moved on to regular Pilates classes which led me to also try out yoga and I have never looked back!
I’ve been practising yoga for 4 years now and have been attending classes with Ad Astra since Summer 2023. The regular movement with options given by Jayne for graduating new exercises means that the classes work brilliantly to help me manage my pains and stay mobile. Out of all forms of exercise I have tried, I find the combination of stretch and strengthening in yoga to be most beneficial to me in reducing the symptoms of my FMS. I am now able to live a full and happy life, sleeping better and with my pain, fatigue and fibro-fog being much more manageable, and all without the side effects of regular medication!’ Ellie
Tips for starting yoga with fibromyalgia
Everyone is welcomed in Ad Astra classes!
- If you have a condition that you think may affect your movement or energy, please message me before the class, or let me know before class begins
- Wear comfortable clothing that you can move freely in
- Bring a yoga mat, blanket and small cushion
- Don’t push yourself to do the advanced moves – all postures and flows are adaptable to suit your own body and energy – this can change from one class to the next
- Come with an open mind and be prepared to take more than one class before noticing the difference.
I hope this blog has given you some knowledge on the condition of fibromyalgia, and if you do have it, given you the confidence to try yoga as an alternative treatment.