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Why I Am Usually AGAINST Exercise as Treatment for Patients Suffering Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome!
By Dr. Donald Liebell
Here’s where things get really ugly… when the doctor says, “these exercises ought to help... that's what you really need.”Yikes!!!
Work through the pain? Strengthen the “weak” muscles?
Do you think that’s actually good advice?
How's that been working out for you?
Don't the most basic activities of daily living cause you pain? Aren't normal life activities exhausting, like housework, your job or taking care of a child?
These activities can send you reeling into muscle spasm for days. So why would you want to take malfunctioning, distressed, rock hard muscles and slam them with an even greater workload?
Does that make any sense?
Haven’t you had enough wear and tear already?
Quite frankly I can count on one hand how many patients I’ve seen since 1993, who said exercises helped. Many have told me it made them WORSE!
Sure, exercise is a vital part of being healthy…but not if it hurts you! I do NOT believe in “no pain…no gain” when it comes to Fibromyalgia.
There's a time and a place for exercise... but not when it comes to recovering from symptoms of fibromyalgia... certainly NOT in my practice!
The only exception is if you can honestly say that exercise (or a specific exercise) makes you feel better. Nobody knows your body better than you. Otherwise, I take most people OFF of exercise, other than walking.
A lot of people do exercises incorrectly, and cause more harm than good. If you suffer from symptoms associated with fibromyalgia syndrome, beware of the "exercise cure." My patients' success has NEVER come from exercises.
Many people with Fibromyalgia look fit and healthy, but they're not. In fact, nobody who has chronic pain is fit and healthy. They don’t mix. You may be normal weight, with good muscle development and be totally unhealthy and unfit. Fitness and health must include normal relaxed muscle tone -- not spasm, when the muscles are at rest.
Lying face down, your back muscles should be totally relaxed. Try it. All that brick-like, severe muscle tightness in your back is a neon sign that something is wrong. The REAL problem is buried underneath.
If you become my patient, make sure to discuss exercise with me.
