| As a Fibromyalgia or Other Chronic Pain sufferer, | | | | while lying in warm water), meditation, breathing |
| do you ever really feel relaxed and care-free? I | | | | exercises, yoga, Tai Chi, progressive relaxation, |
| seriously doubt the answer is “yes”. | | | | guided imagery, and autogenic training (technique |
| Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic | | | | that teaches your body to respond to your |
| Myofascial Pain and other chronic pain symptoms | | | | verbal commands). Patients need to receive initial |
| are made worse by stress, and the pain of the | | | | training for many of these but can often continue |
| condition can increase depression and anxiety. | | | | practicing what they have learned on their own. |
| It is that vicious cycle we all know about. | | | | There are many books, CD's, DVD's and classes |
| Relaxation techniques can help. Some that have | | | | you can utilize. |
| proven successful are meditation, breathing | | | | Another technique is to systematically train |
| exercises, progressive relaxation, guided imagery, | | | | groups of muscles by tensing and relaxing. This |
| and autogenic training. | | | | technique is best learned with the aid of a trained |
| The pain and related symptoms of Fibromyalgia | | | | practitioner. It is suggested that you can |
| cause significant stress to the body. Recent | | | | develop the ability put yourself in a relaxed state |
| research suggests that, physiologically, FM patients | | | | at will, even when face with a very stressful |
| simply do not process stress well. I am one of | | | | situation. |
| those people. | | | | Relaxation Therapy is said to be beneficial for: |
| Relaxation therapy techniques focus on relaxing | | | | asthma, anxiety, hypertension, angina, back pain, |
| the body and the mind. When the body is relaxed, | | | | cancer treatment support, chronic pain, |
| pain and physical problems may be reduced. When | | | | congestive heart failure, fibromyalgia, interstitial |
| the mind is relaxed, anxiety, stress and emotional | | | | cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, |
| disorders can be treated. | | | | menopause, osteoarthritis, premenstrual |
| Relaxation therapies can help Fibromyalgia patients | | | | syndrome (PMS), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, |
| remain calm and relaxed. Relaxation therapies | | | | stress in general, stroke rehabilitation, surgery |
| such as meditation, are used to manage the | | | | support (primarily reducing pain and stress before |
| symptoms, rather than treating the disease. The | | | | or after surgery), tension headaches, ulcerative |
| goal is to remove the focus of the mind on pain | | | | colitis, depression, anxiety. |
| and problems in order to realize a state of | | | | It is best to use relaxation techniques that you |
| calmness. It should decrease feelings of | | | | feel comfortable with in order for the maximum |
| depression and anxiety that may occur in people | | | | benefit to be achieved. Any thing that inspires |
| with FM. | | | | the body to become more relaxed may be used |
| After practicing relaxation therapy for about 6 - 8 | | | | for relaxation therapy. I love a relaxing bath and |
| weeks you may find that you have become | | | | relaxing music. Imagining a peaceful or enjoyable |
| more calm and that you recover from stress | | | | activity or setting helps a lot of people. You |
| more quickly. It will also make it easier for you | | | | need to find a method of relaxation that works |
| to learn other relaxation therapy techniques for | | | | for you. What do you think of when you imagine |
| FM symptoms and other conditions. | | | | peace, quiet and comfort? That’s where |
| Deep muscle relaxation is one of the most | | | | your mind should take you. |
| effective pain and stress management techniques | | | | Although relaxation therapists can be helpful, you |
| available. Diaphragmatic breathing is a wonderful | | | | can use relaxation techniques at home. In order |
| method. The diaphragm is the most efficient | | | | to learn relaxation techniques, you can find books, |
| muscle for breathing. It is a large, dome-shaped | | | | DVDs, CDs and magazines that will teach you the |
| muscle located at the base of the lungs. | | | | basics. You can also join a group that will teach |
| Combining diaphragmatic breathing with relaxation | | | | you the techniques to use and can then be |
| techniques helps to achieve greater deep muscle | | | | practiced at home. |
| relaxation. Guided imagery is a technique where | | | | Always consult your doctor about any new |
| the person uses visual imagery as a tool to | | | | therapy or program you are considering! Only |
| achieve relaxation. | | | | you and your doctor can determine what’s |
| Stress management programs are so important: | | | | right for you. Let’s just relax! |
| Biofeedback, Watsu (body massage performed | | | | |