How Physical Therapy Can Improve Painful Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Since being diagnosed with fibromyalgia I have sought out many different treatments ranging from the holistic to western medications. I would never tout any one thing as being a cure, since there is no cure. I will speak to the treatments that I found helpful, but keep in mind what works for me may not work for you. You might ask how physical therapy can improve painful fibromyalgia symptoms? I say anything is worth a try at this point, here is my story.

What happens in physical therapy

Knowing what to expect when seeking physical therapy is important. The first visit will be used to talk over what is going on, past medical history, goals for therapy and questions and concerns. Just like physicians it can be hard to find someone that believes and understands fibromyalgia, but when you do it is amazing. It is important to talk with your PT about your fibromyalgia and the symptoms you are having. Your visit may have been brought on by something not directly related to your fibromyalgia but it could be a byproduct. 

Once a plan is put in place your PT may do some manipulation of the body part that is bothering you. They may have you do some exercises and stretches, but remember to always listen to your body. The PT is guiding you, but you are ultimately the best judge of what your body can and should do. Sometimes they use tools like an ultrasound (not for imaging). They will put gel on you and run the device over your body. I didn’t feel any discomfort during this process. My PT used massage to loosen my muscles. Be warned though this isn’t a “feel good” massage and it can get uncomfortable. Lastly, there may be heat or ice applied and don’t forget the “homework” of exercises to do at home.

My experience with Physical therapy

My first experience with physical therapy was before I had fibromyalgia. I had walked a half marathon and developed bursitis in my hips. The physical therapy for this was brutal! I hated it and it hurt so badly that I ended up quitting. Plus, it didn’t really help me. Also, this injury may have been the beginning of my pain journey. 

My next experience was very different and super personal. I may choose to go into more detail later, but I’m not ready yet. Basically it was pelvic floor therapy and it helped me the most. This therapist helped me loosen my whole body by releasing tension in all of my lymph nodes throughout my body. No one had ever done this before and the whole experience made me understand how “tense” I truly was. Plus, I bet I was already experiencing fibromyalgia at this point but not realizing it.

There are two more experiences with PT for me, but the last one was the best. I found someone that knew about fibromyalgia. We talked a lot about my symptoms and about how I feel after I leave PT sessions. He encouraged me to listen to my body and if a session caused me too much pain after, we altered the next session. He gave me exercises that I still do everyday. 

Advantages of physical therapy

With fibromyalgia many of us experience inflammation throughout our body, which makes it hard to function. However, if I have learned anything it is that our bodies need to move. They need to be used and pushed and stretched. The best way to learn to do these movements is with a physical therapist that understands the body and most of all how fibromyalgia affects the body.

I haven’t done swim or pool therapy but I have spoken to others who have. This is the perfect way to use muscles while remaining low impact on inflamed joints. Plus I find having an appointment to focus on your body helps to actually encourage you to focus on your body. I found that having that PT appointment made me accountable to do the exercises daily. Eventually, it turned into a habit and now I just do it, sometimes several times a day.

Physical therapy for fibromyalgia symptoms

The last time I went to PT was because my sciatica pain was so intense that I could hardly walk. This was part of my fibromyalgia because I had been in such a bad flare that I stopped exercising and basically went from my bed to the couch for weeks. I believe that my bursitis in my hips makes me susceptible to tightness around my hip/buttock area. Combine the fact that I sit for my job and then sit for part-time school at night and you have a recipe for disaster. 

For me, movement and nutrition have been the key ingredients to feeling better and not only having a functional body but a fulfilling life as well. I’m not going to say it is easy peasy and that I don’t still struggle sometimes, because it isn’t and I do. Let’s face it, fibromyalgia is much like a roller coaster ride where you are feeling great one minute then the next you think you might throw up and you want to get off.

So, how can physical therapy improve painful fibromyalgia symptoms? Personally, I have found that movement is key to my symptoms.The community would love to hear about your physical therapy experiences or even how you improve your symptoms. Tell us in the comments: have you had physical therapy? Did it help your fibromyalgia symptoms?