Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain in more than 5 million Americans. This condition is difficult to treat because there is no cure and the triggers are hard to identify. Although, it’s generally believed to be related to changes in the nervous system and its interpretation of pain.
One way that people treat fibromyalgia is with medication. However, this is risky because pain medication for fibromyalgia is addictive and causes undesirable side effects. That’s why many people are choosing to manage their fibromyalgia pain with physical therapy.
How do physical therapists treat fibromyalgia pain?
Physical therapists have different methods for managing fibromyalgia pain. The main goal of many treatments is to treat pain through aerobic and strengthening exercises.
Some people are hesitant to begin physical therapy because they’re afraid exercise will hurt. In reality, exercise is shown to help reduce pain and other symptoms related to fibromyalgia. Physical therapists can teach you how to identify certain pain signals and how to correctly respond with exercise to reduce the pain.
Other physical therapy treatments for fibromyalgia pain include:
- Manual therapy — Also known as hands-on therapy, manual therapy includes techniques that use your physical therapist’s hands to move and mobilize the joints. Methods like soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization can help reduce pain and improve range of motion affected by fibromyalgia.
- Massage — Deep tissue massage can relieve tension and stress in the muscles and soft tissue that may result from fibromyalgia. Physical therapists are trained to identify the areas that can benefit most from massage and apply massage techniques to help reduce fibromyalgia pain.
- Relaxation techniques — Physical therapists can guide you through relaxation and meditation techniques that can help you gain some control over the way your body responds to pain.
Visit Panther Physical Therapy in Harmony, PA, for fibromyalgia treatment
If you suffer from fibromyalgia pain and don’t want to rely on intense pain medication for treatments, come visit a physical therapist at Panther Physical Therapy in Harmony, Pennsylvania. Our team members are highly trained and experienced in developing treatments to help people with fibromyalgia manage their pain. Contact us today to learn more about treating fibromyalgia or to schedule an initial appointment.