Countless people live their life dealing with chronic pain. One of the most common causes of chronic pain is fibromyalgia. When a person develops fibromyalgia, they often turn to prescription medications or undergo dangerous surgical procedures in an effort to regain their old life. Many times the medications have a long list of side effects and the surgeries come with their own sets of pain. Below are a few ways you can improve your quality of life while living with fibromyalgia?
Exercise Daily
Exercise releases endorphins which help you control your pain. Start slow by stretching and prepare your body for exercise. Aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and water exercise may be the most beneficial for people with fibromyalgia. Daily exercise helps joint stiffness and weight gain as well as reducing pain and stress. Exercise improves circulation which helps the body heal faster. As with any exercise program, you should start slow so as to not exert yourself too quickly, as it could cause a fibromyalgia flare-up.
Manage Your Stress
Stress management is an important part of living with fibromyalgia. Some possible stress management techniques may include massage therapy, regular exercise, yoga, meditation, walks through nature, reading a book or even a warm bath.
Stay Away from Inflammatory Foods
Some foods have been proven to increase inflammation and it is important that you limit your intake of inflammatory foods. Processed foods, sugar, fast food, caffeine and alcohol can increase inflammation. Eating whole food, fresh fruits, and healthy vegetables can reduce inflammation throughout your body. By limiting your intake of inflammation-causing foods you can reduce your pain caused by fibromyalgia.
Get Plenty of Sleep
The body needs adequate sleep in order to manage fibromyalgia. Establish a strong circadian rhythm by going to bed and waking up at the same time. Keep your bedroom cool and comfortable at night. Avoid caffeine and alcohol for several hours before bedtime as they can make it hard for you to fall asleep. Developing a routine of stretching, meditation, relaxing music, or a warm bath before bed may make it easier for yourself to fall asleep at night.
Wear the Right Clothes
Clothing can play a role in managing fibromyalgia. For example, people with fibromyalgia should avoid tight or unforgiving fabrics. These clothes constrict muscles, ligaments, and nerves, making pain worse. Wearing layers allows you to easily adjust to the temperature of your surroundings without affecting your activities.
Think About Climate
The weather also plays a role in increasing pain caused by fibromyalgia. Many people with fibromyalgia are hypersensitive to the cold, so if you live in a northern area, it will be more difficult for you to manage fibromyalgia. Pain from fibromyalgia can become so severe that it may require relocation to a warmer climate during the extreme cold temperatures of winter.
Record Your Triggers
Recognizing and recording events that trigger fibromyalgia pain can be key in your overall pain management plan. After you learn what triggers the pain, you will be able to avoid them in the future thereby avoiding the pain. Common triggers include smells, noise, light, temperature changes, and even certain foods.
Find Emotional Support
Finally, you need to find emotional support. Fibromyalgia is real and even though there is no cure, support is essential in dealing with the pain. Family members and close friends are essential in helping you with the battle but you may want to join support groups that include people who are experiencing the same struggle. Consulting a professional in the field may also be a worthwhile activity to help you get your fibromyalgia pain under control.
Overall Fibromyalgia Pain Management for an Increased Quality of Life
The final goal should always be an increase in the quality of life when living with fibromyalgia. It is easy to become dependent on pain medication and surgeries are expensive and dangerous. There are other options available. If you would like to improve your pain management, take a closer look at the SOLIS Pain Relief System, and enjoy pain relief without relying on prescription drugs..