fibromyalgia & working out

[Guest guest]

I. Was wondering how many people in this group have fibromyalgia. I have been on

disability since I was 45 because of this disease.I am now 58. Working out

really helps me out. I start my day with pilates then move on to my favorite

which is weight lifting. I know it is hard to make yourself workout when you

dont feel good which is how I feel if I dont work. I believe if you just push

yourself to do some light stretchging exercise every day you will start to feel

better soon. It allows the body to release natural pain killers to kick in & all

the other good stuff

our body has, just waiting for us to use it. Make this a normal part of your day

& in a short amount of time you should be feeling better & not so depressed

feeling. I know for myself I can tell a huge difference if I skip to many

workouts. I'll usually end up spending the day in bed. I am on a lot of meds for

pain & various other problems i have as well. The meds can only do so much on

their own the rest is up to me . Sure i can take larger amounts & stronger meds

but then the meds would have controll of my life that is something i like to

have as much control over as i can. So go buy you some pilates dvd a floor mat

& start stretching.

++Please ensure you sign all posts with your full name, city and country of

residence++

[Guest guest]

A quick search on Google Scholar found the following abstracts on exercise and

fibromyalgia

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct. USA 

________________________________

From: dmdtyl <dmdtyl@...>

Supertraining

Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2011 3:29 PM

Subject: fibromyalgia & working out

 

I. Was wondering how many people in this group have fibromyalgia. I have been on

disability since I was 45 because of this disease.I am now 58. Working out

really helps me out. I start my day with pilates then move on to my favorite

which is weight lifting. I know it is hard to make yourself workout when you

dont feel good which is how I feel if I dont work. I believe if you just push

yourself to do some light stretchging exercise every day you will start to feel

better soon. It allows the body to release natural pain killers to kick in & all

the other good stuff

our body has, just waiting for us to use it. Make this a normal part of your day

& in a short amount of time you should be feeling better & not so depressed

feeling. I know for myself I can tell a huge difference if I skip to many

workouts. I'll usually end up spending the day in bed. I am on a lot of meds for

pain & various other problems i have as well. The meds can only do so much on

their own the rest is up to me . Sure i can take larger amounts & stronger meds

but then the meds would have controll of my life that is something i like to

have as much control over as i can. So go buy you some pilates dvd a floor mat

& start stretching.

++Please ensure you sign all posts with your full name, city and country of

residence++

[Guest guest]

Have you tried Feldenkrais?

Diane Barker

Montreal

Canada

On Sat, Dec 3, 2011 at 7:29 AM, Ralph Giarnella <ragiarn@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> A quick search on Google Scholar found the following abstracts on exercise

> and fibromyalgia

>

> Ralph Giarnella MD

> Southington Ct. USA

>

> ________________________________

> From: dmdtyl <dmdtyl@...>

> Supertraining

> Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2011 3:29 PM

> Subject: fibromyalgia & working out

>

>

>

> I. Was wondering how many people in this group have fibromyalgia. I have

> been on disability since I was 45 because of this disease.I am now 58.

> Working out really helps me out. I start my day with pilates then move on

> to my favorite which is weight lifting. I know it is hard to make yourself

> workout when you dont feel good which is how I feel if I dont work. I

> believe if you just push yourself to do some light stretchging exercise

> every day you will start to feel better soon. It allows the body to release

> natural pain killers to kick in & all the other good stuff

> our body has, just waiting for us to use it. Make this a normal part of

> your day & in a short amount of time you should be feeling better & not so

> depressed feeling. I know for myself I can tell a huge difference if I skip

> to many workouts. I'll usually end up spending the day in bed. I am on a

> lot of meds for pain & various other problems i have as well. The meds can

> only do so much on their own the rest is up to me . Sure i can take larger

> amounts & stronger meds but then the meds would have controll of my life

> that is something i like to have as much control over as i can. So go buy

> you some pilates dvd a floor mat & start stretching.

>

> ++Please ensure you sign all posts with your full name, city and country

> of residence++

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oops I forgot to include the abstracts

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct. USA 

J Rheumatol.1996 Jun;23(6):1050-3.

An exercise program in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

L, Nutting A, MacIntosh BR, Edworthy SM, Butterwick D, Cook J.

Source

Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the utility of an exercise program, which included aerobic,

flexibility and strengthening elements, in the treatment of fibromyalgia (FM).

FM is a chronic musculoskeletal condition characterized by diffuse

musculoskeletal pain and aching. It has been suggested that aerobic exercise is

helpful in its treatment.

METHODS:

We studied 60 patients who met American College of Rheumatology criteria for FM

and had no significant comorbidities. Measurements performed on each patient at

the pre and poststudy assessment included the number of tender points (TP),

total myalgic scores , aerobic fitness (AF), flexibility and isokinetic

strength. After initial evaluation patients were randomly assigned to either an

exercise or a relaxation group. Each group met 3 times per week for 6 weeks for

1 h of supervised exercise or relaxation. All patients data were stored in a

computerized database and statistical analysis was performed on all pre and

poststudy assessments.

RESULTS:

Thirty-eight patients (18 exercise and 20 relaxation) completed the study.

Analysis of our data showed no significant difference between the groups in

their prestudy assessment. Poststudy assessments, however, showed a significant

improvement between the exercise and relaxation groups in TP (p < 0.05), TM (p <

0.05), and AF (p < 0.05). Similar improvements were also found when the pre and

poststudy assessment of the exercise group were compared.

CONCLUSION:

Exercise is helpful in the management of FM in the short term. It also shows

that FM patients can undertake an exercise program which includes aerobic,

flexibility, and strength training exercises without adverse effects. The long

term utility of this type of exercise requires further evaluation.

PMID: 8782139 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

[Fibromyalgia--effect of exercise].

[Article in Norwegian]

Kurtze N.

Source

HUNT forskningssenter, Institutt for samfunnsmedisin, Det medisinske fakultet,

Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Neptunveien 1 7650 Verdal.

nanna.kurtze@...

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread unexplained musculoskeletal pain syndrome

with decreased pain threshold. Because the etiology of fibromyalgia is unknown

and the pathogenesis is unidentified, treatment is largely symptomatic and not

standardised. The pain and fatigue reported by individuals with fibromyalgia

results in a relative sedentary lifestyle, hence also a decrease in the fitness

level of skeletal muscles.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

In order to assess the effect of exercise in fibromyalgia, the Cochrane

Controlled Trials Register was reviewed; 17 studies of exercise interventions on

cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength and/or flexibility were selected.

RESULTS:

The results from the studies are inconsistent but low-intensity aerobic exercise

regimens were found to be one of the few effective treatments. In these studies,

however, subjective pain levels fail to show significant improvement, although

improvements are seen on other parameters such as improvement in the number of

tender points, in total myalgic scores and reduced tender point tenderness,

improved aerobic capacity, physical function, subjective well-being and

self-efficacy.

INTERPRETATION:

The group exercises varied from 1-3 times per week, sessions from 25 minutes to

90 minutes; the duration of the programmes from 6 weeks to 6 month. Most of the

programmes were low-intensity dynamic endurance training with a working rate at

50-70 % of maximal heart rate in relation to age.

J Rheumatol.2008 Jun;35(6):1130-44. Epub 2008 May 1.

Exercise for fibromyalgia: a systematic review.

Busch AJ, Schachter CL, Overend TJ, Peloso PM, Barber KA.

Source

School of Physical Therapy, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan,

Canada. .Busch@...

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome expressed by chronic widespread pain often

associated with reduced physical function. Exercise is a common recommendation

in management of FM. We evaluated the effects of exercise training on global

well-being, selected signs and symptoms, and physical function in individuals

with FM.

METHODS:

We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, SportDiscus, PubMed, PEDro, and the

Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials to July 2005 and included

randomized trials evaluating cardiorespiratory endurance, muscle strength, and

flexibility. Methodological quality was assessed using the van Tulder and Jadad

instruments. Training protocols were evaluated using American College of Sports

Medicine (ACSM) guidelines. Clinical heterogeneity limited metaanalysis to 6

aerobic and 2 strength studies.

RESULTS:

There were 2276 subjects across the 34 studies; 1264 subjects were assigned to

exercise interventions. Metaanalysis of 6 studies provided moderate-quality

evidence that aerobic-only exercise training at ACSM-recommended intensity

levels has positive effects on global well-being (SMD 0.49, 95% CI 0.23-0.75)

and physical function (SMD 0.66, 95% CI 0.41-0.92) and possibly on pain (SMD

0.65, 95% CI -0.09 to 1.39) and tender points (SMD 0.23, 95% CI -0.18 to 0.65).

Strength and flexibility remain underevaluated; however, strength training may

have a positive effect on FM symptoms.

CONCLUSION:

Aerobic-only training has beneficial effects on physical function and some FM

symptoms. Strength-only training may improve FM symptoms, but requires further

study. Large, high-quality studies of exercise-only interventions that provide

detailed information on exercise prescription and adherence are needed.

Rheumatol Int.2010 Jul;30(9):1143-50. Epub 2010 Mar 26.

Aerobic exercise in fibromyalgia: a practical review.

EN, Blotman F.

Source

Lapeyronie Hospital, 34295 CHRU Montpellier, France. e-thomas@...

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the current evidence to support

guidelines for aerobic exercise (AE) and fibromyalgia (FM) in practice, and to

outline specific research needs in these areas. Data sources consisted of a

PubMed search, 2007 Cochrane Data Base Systematic review, 2008 Ottawa panel

evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, as well as additional references

found from the initial search. Study selection included randomized clinical

trials that compared an aerobic-only exercise intervention (land or pool based)

with an untreated control, a non-exercise intervention or other exercise

programs in patients responding to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology

criteria for FM. The following outcome data were obtained: pain, tender points,

perceived improvement in FM symptoms such as the Fibromyalgia Impact

Questionnaire total score (FIQ), physical function, depression (e.g., Beck

Depression Inventory, FIQ subscale for depression),

fatigue and sleep were extracted from 19 clinical trials that considered the

effects of aerobic-only exercise in FM patients. Data synthesis shows that there

is moderate evidence of important benefit of aerobic-only exercise in FM on

physical function and possibly on tender points and pain. It appears to be

sufficient evidence to support the practice of AE as a part of the

multidisciplinary management of FM. However, future studies must be more

adequately sized, homogeneously assessed, and monitored for adherence, to draw

definitive conclusions.

________________________________

From: Ralph Giarnella <ragiarn@...>

" Supertraining " <Supertraining >

Sent: Saturday, December 3, 2011 7:29 AM

Subject: Re: fibromyalgia & working out

 

A quick search on Google Scholar found the following abstracts on exercise and

fibromyalgia

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct. USA 

________________________________

From: dmdtyl <dmdtyl@...>

Supertraining

Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2011 3:29 PM

Subject: fibromyalgia & working out

 

I. Was wondering how many people in this group have fibromyalgia. I have been on

disability since I was 45 because of this disease.I am now 58. Working out

really helps me out. I start my day with pilates then move on to my favorite

which is weight lifting. I know it is hard to make yourself workout when you

dont feel good which is how I feel if I dont work. I believe if you just push

yourself to do some light stretchging exercise every day you will start to feel

better soon. It allows the body to release natural pain killers to kick in & all

the other good stuff

our body has, just waiting for us to use it. Make this a normal part of your day

& in a short amount of time you should be feeling better & not so depressed

feeling. I know for myself I can tell a huge difference if I skip to many

workouts. I'll usually end up spending the day in bed. I am on a lot of meds for

pain & various other problems i have as well. The meds can only do so much on

their own the rest is up to me . Sure i can take larger amounts & stronger meds

but then the meds would have controll of my life that is something i like to

have as much control over as i can. So go buy you some pilates dvd a floor mat

& start stretching.

++Please ensure you sign all posts with your full name, city and country of

residence++

[Guest guest]

I've worked with M.E. & fibromyalgia clients. I first got interested when

my partner developed the disease. There are some commonalities between the

conditions. Many people with these conditions have problems doing weights

overhead (or even having arms overhead for very long without discomfort).

I've found no cookie-cutter style set of exercises for people with the

condition, you have to play about. I've found sometimes you've had to

develop unusual exercises selections that work for the client, using a

stability ball for support of the back or to lean on has worked for some,

more severe cases have problems doing full body movements at all as they

are simply too taxing, so isolation movements have to be used. I have

found pilates works pretty well for many people, so you made a good find

stumbling across that. I have no idea about the science behind the choices

that work, I've discovered stuff pretty much by hit & miss, as I said it

does vary a lot between people, so you may be able to do one thing, while

someone else cannot. You do also have to be on the ball if they develop

'mind fog' during training as you can have injuries as they lose track of

what they are doing during a set, so being especially vigilant pays off.

I'm certainly no expert, but starting off with a new client I'd say

experiment & accept there will be some clients & times with all clients

that you cannot do a balanced workout, so just do what you can & listen to

the client as in this case they really do know best about when they need to

stop (if you get someone who really pushes themselves then your job is

obviously to rein them in as people with these conditions suffer when they

go balls to the wall).

I think that's about all I can offer off of the top of my head. Good luck

with the condition, it can improve quite a bit over time if you exercise

within your limits, eat anti-inflammatory food, indulge in some massage &

rest when you need to.

All the best,

Pete , Brighton, UK

On 3 December 2011 15:47, Diane Barker <barker.diane@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> Have you tried Feldenkrais?

> Diane Barker

> Montreal

> Canada

>

> On Sat, Dec 3, 2011 at 7:29 AM, Ralph Giarnella <ragiarn@...> wrote:

>

> > **

>

> >

> >

> > A quick search on Google Scholar found the following abstracts on

> exercise

> > and fibromyalgia

> >

> > Ralph Giarnella MD

> > Southington Ct. USA

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: dmdtyl <dmdtyl@...>

> > Supertraining

> > Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2011 3:29 PM

> > Subject: fibromyalgia & working out

> >

> >

> >

> > I. Was wondering how many people in this group have fibromyalgia. I have

> > been on disability since I was 45 because of this disease.I am now 58.

> > Working out really helps me out. I start my day with pilates then move on

> > to my favorite which is weight lifting. I know it is hard to make

> yourself

> > workout when you dont feel good which is how I feel if I dont work. I

> > believe if you just push yourself to do some light stretchging exercise

> > every day you will start to feel better soon. It allows the body to

> release

> > natural pain killers to kick in & all the other good stuff

> > our body has, just waiting for us to use it. Make this a normal part of

> > your day & in a short amount of time you should be feeling better & not

> so

> > depressed feeling. I know for myself I can tell a huge difference if I

> skip

> > to many workouts. I'll usually end up spending the day in bed. I am on a

> > lot of meds for pain & various other problems i have as well. The meds

> can

> > only do so much on their own the rest is up to me . Sure i can take

> larger

> > amounts & stronger meds but then the meds would have controll of my life

> > that is something i like to have as much control over as i can. So go buy

> > you some pilates dvd a floor mat & start stretching.

> >

> > ++Please ensure you sign all posts with your full name, city and country

> > of residence++

> >

> >