How to Manage Fibromyalgia Symptoms With Yoga

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition that causes widespread muscle pain. People with this condition can often feel tired, as sleep is disrupted. Fibromyalgia is very difficult to diagnose, and symptoms can range from mild to severely debilitating. Many of the techniques taught in a yoga practice can help to manage some of the symptoms associated with this condition.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. To get the best benefit from yoga and meditation it is important to practice the techniques at times when you are feeling better. Trying to meditate or practice you when your symptoms are more severe is very hard. It is good to think about yoga and meditation as preventative medicine. By practicing a little bit every day, you can often help to keep your muscles and body relaxed. This is often a much more successful approach then trying to practice when your symptoms are at their worst.
2. Yoga offers gentle mind-body stretching. The practice of yoga teaches you to learn to become aware of how your body is feeling and when you are holding tension in your body. You begin every yoga practice as if you are stepping on your mat for the first time. It does not matter what you did the day or week before, you practice based on how your body feels at this time. As you continue to strengthen your yoga practice, you become aware of not only how far you can stretch without setting off your symptoms, but also where in your body you tend to hold tension and how to release it. This information can then be used during everyday activities.
3. Yoga offers relaxation techniques which can help reduce overall stress and muscle tension. Here again it is important to practice the techniques every day to help prevent symptoms from becoming worse. There are multiple studies which show that practicing meditation can help to keep the mind and body calm, which in turn can help to prevent pain and other symptoms. Also some of these relaxation techniques can be very helpful in managing insomnia.
4. Make sure you try several teachers and styles of yoga. There are hundreds of forms of yoga, and with experimentation you will find the one that is right for you. If the first class you take doesn't work out, do not give up. Try another teacher or another style. Remember to always listen to your body. When dealing with a condition such as fibromyalgia, try to be patient with yourself on days you are not feeling your best and give yourself permission to do an easier practice.

Tips & Warnings

• Never exercise to the point of pain
• Stop any exercise that makes your symptoms worse