With regular, consistent physical activity, people with chronic pain receive the same fitness benefits as healthy people, including a stronger heart and skeletal muscles, better lung function and breathing capacity, modest weight control, lower blood pressure and an overall reduction in risk factors for lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.
In addition, you may notice a few additional benefits that are specific to fibromyalgia symptoms, including:
- pain management
- improved sleep
- better mood
- less fatigue and greater vitality
- overall improved quality of life and well-being.
When choosing activities, be mindful of your physical limitations and make adjustments to suit your needs. There are many ways to do this, including reducing the intensity of a movement. For example, if an aerobic DVD requires you to jog in place, try marching in place instead. Or if a treadmill (weight-bearing) is too strenuous on your joints, try a stationary bike or pool instead (non weight-bearing). Minor adjustments like these can make activities more comfortable so you'll be more likely to do them and get more out of them.