Fibromyalgia:
The medical condition of fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by widespread persistent musculoskeletal pain that has persisted for longer than three months. The fibromyalgia patient experiences gastrointestinal problems, exhaustion, sleep problems, depression, and hyperalgesia in certain areas. These symptoms lower the patient’s functioning capacity, lowering their quality of life. The treatment plan involves a thorough interdisciplinary strategy that includes pharmacological interventions, physical therapy, and other complementary techniques. We’ve outlined the key physiotherapy treatments for fibromyalgia patients in this blog.
Cold therapy, heat therapy, massage therapy, hydrotherapy, electrical therapy, and exercise therapy are some of the physiotherapy treatments given to fibromyalgia patients.
Ice Therapy:
Chronic muscle pain or trigger point pain associated with fibromyalgia may be relieved by cryotherapy or using cold compresses. To reduce pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms, physiotherapists may combine Exercise therapy with it.
Heat Therapy:
Deep heat or thermotherapy helps to relax the muscles and speed up blood flow to the painful area. This therapy can be applied using a moist heat source, such as a heated cloth, or a dry, hot towel. Prior to and after performing stretches or resistance training, heat is advised. As a result, the workout is both more effective and less uncomfortable. To reduce fibromyalgia pain, use moist heat twice daily for about 15 minutes each time. For optimal results, alternate moist heat and ice compress.
Hydrotherapy:
Water is used in hydrotherapy to activate the body’s natural healing process. Fibromyalgia discomfort is temporarily relieved by hydrotherapy. To reduce pain and muscular stiffness, the patient can stand on the ground or sit on a stool and apply warm water to the troublesome area of the body. Water’s hydrodynamic characteristics, including buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, density, and viscosity, provide resistance to movement, which results in muscle relaxation and strengthening as well as decreased joint impact and improved venous return.
Massage Therapy:
Pressure is applied during massage therapies like myofascial release, connective tissue massage, deep tissue massage, and manual lymphatic drainage to relieve muscle tension and spasms. These are all the specialized manual techniques a physiotherapist can use for the treatment.
Strengthening and flexibility Exercises:
These exercises increase the range of motion and muscle strength. Stretching activities are recommended to reduce muscle tension, lengthen muscles and, as a result, increase the range of motion.
Following are the electrotherapy modalities that are very helpful in conditions like fibromyalgia:
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS):
TENS lessens the discomfort brought on by fibromyalgia by preventing pain impulses from getting to the spinal cord. Additionally, it lessens muscle spasms and causes the brain’s endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers, to be released.
Ultrasound:
Sound waves and gentle heat are produced by therapeutic ultrasound, which also, improves blood flow to deep tissues. This treatment can aid in reducing pain, swelling, stiffness, and muscular spasms.
In the beginning, exercises should be done under the guidance of a physiotherapist. Once you learn the form of the exercises then you can do them at home. Mild soreness can occur after a physiotherapy session or after doing exercise on your own but it will go away within a week, but the soreness is persisted for more than a week then the physiotherapist should be consulted immediately.
