Managing Fibromyalgia Pain: Effective Strategies
Here at the London Pain Clinic, our Fibro Doctors want to ensure that you do not just receive an accurate fibromyalgia diagnosis and a state-of-the-art Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan (which can include multiple modalities encompassing pharmaceuticals, therapies and injectables). After your initial online or in-person consultation, at which time they will review your medical records, ask you pertinent questions, and arrange for any necessary examination, tests or scans, they will also give you guidance as to the best lifestyle strategies that will help you minimise any pain and discomfort. Thus, when our patients combine their Fibromyalgia Treatment protocol with optimum living choices, the greater the outcome, and the sooner they can get their lives back on track.
Strategies Endorsed by Our Pain Specialists
De-Stressing
Did you know that stress can trigger fibro symptoms? To that end, reducing stress can ameliorate your life quality. “Some proven stress busters are yoga, exercise, sleep, and meditation. Breathing deeply and exhaling slowly can also help. Or keep in mind activities that you enjoy or that make you feel better. When stress strikes, do one or two of them [1].
Make a Note of Things
Do you find that your memory or focus is being impacted by ‘fibro fog’? If this is the case, then always have a notebook and pen or pencil at the ready. It is a good idea to write a ‘things to do’ list, as well as a ‘things to discuss list.’ The latter could pertain to things that you want to talk about with your family or friends. It is also crucial to have a small notebook that you keep with you in case you need to urgently retrieve an important telephone number, address, or other details. As is writing a shopping list that you can regularly add to [1].
Get Active
As your Fibro Consultant will tell you, some of the best strategies to fight fibromyalgia, comprise:
- Taking a daily walk
- Partaking in warm water exercise
- Or doing other Fibro Doctor approved low-intensity exercises
All of the aforementioned can help to reduce stress, stiffness and pain. Moreover, this type of physical activity can even boost your sleep [1].
Soak Away Your Tension in the Bath
Soaking away your pain and muscle tension with a lovely hot bath (or foot bath), can help you move with less strain. This is due to the fact that heat can (a): increase endorphin production, which helps you get a better sleep, and (b): block pain signals [1].
Switch to Decaf
Are you aware that caffeine has been shown to intensify both physical and psychological stress? Caffeine stimulates both the central nervous system and the heart, and as a result, it can ramp up insomnia, anxiety and nervousness. So in a nutshell, if you decaffeinate you de-stress. Note: many people think that only coffee contains caffeine. This is not however, correct, as the latter is found in tea, chocolate and soft drinks [1].
Ensure You Get Some Daily Me-Time
As our Fibro Doctor regularly tell their patients, a very important part of your progression is to make time for yourself each and every day. Do things which uplift you, be it listening to elating music, watching something funny on TV or YouTube, reading something interesting, or doing a hobby that you love [1].
Learn to Say “No!”
When you are weighing up accepting invitations or being visited at home, think about whether they will keep you from the necessary relaxation, exercise, and rest, that are crucial to keep you feeling well. Remember that it is okay to just say “no” [1].
Reference
[1]. Sachdev, P. (2024). “12 Tips for Coping With Fibromyalgia.”
https://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/ss/slideshow-fibro-coping-tips
