| Physical Therapy (PT) and TENS (transcutaneous | | | | small battery-powered machine with electrodes |
| electrical nerve stimulation) are often used for | | | | that are connected from the machine to your |
| treatment for Fibromyalgia patients. Though, | | | | skin. The electrodes are normally placed on the |
| they are considered to be conventional | | | | painful area or at a pressure point. This creates a |
| treatments, PT and TENS seem more like | | | | circuit of electrical impulses that travel along nerve |
| “alternative” treatments because they are | | | | fibers. |
| not usually the first options doctors look at when | | | | The electricity from the electrodes stimulates the |
| they begin treating FM patients. They commonly | | | | nerves in an affected area and sends signals to |
| load us up with medications before they do | | | | the brain that "scramble" normal pain signals. |
| anything else. PT and TENS are just two options | | | | Another theory is that the electrical stimulation of |
| you and your doctor can consider exploring. | | | | the nerves may help the body to produce natural |
| Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia treatment | | | | pain killers called endorphins, which may block the |
| combines passive modalities (treatment given by | | | | perception of pain. I have actually had this done |
| a physical therapist) with therapeutic exercise to | | | | for a knee injury I suffered about six years ago |
| rehabilitate the musculoskeletal parts of the | | | | and I was surprised at its effectiveness! The |
| body. Passive modalities can be heat/cold | | | | therapist would give me a dial to slowly increase |
| therapy, massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, | | | | the intensity. She had me do it about every five |
| and joint mobilization. These modalities are an | | | | minutes in small degrees. TENS can be done at |
| extension of your treatment and are usually used | | | | home after a while if you have the equipment. |
| before or after exercise. Therapeutic exercise | | | | TENS is most often used to treat muscle, joint, |
| includes stretching, strengthening, and postural | | | | or bone problems that occur with illnesses such as |
| correction to rehabilitate the framework of the | | | | osteoarthritis or Fibromyalgia, or for conditions |
| body. | | | | such as low back pain, neck pain, tendinitis, or |
| Many doctors like to go with conventional | | | | bursitis. TENS has also been used to treat sudden |
| therapies first and they will likely suggest physical | | | | (acute) pain, such as labor pain, and long-lasting |
| therapy to start. I have found that some of the | | | | chronic pain. |
| techniques are effective for me and others - | | | | TENS is generally considered safe and it does not |
| Well, let's just say, I WON'T BE DOING THOSE | | | | hurt, but it may not be for you. One of the |
| AGAIN! Not every therapist is trained properly to | | | | most persuasive reasons for prescribing TENS for |
| deal with Fibromyalgia patients. Some don't seem | | | | pain relief is that this therapy has few side |
| to understand the type of pain we suffer and | | | | effects. TENS can be used indefinitely without the |
| that we'd rather be poked with a thousand | | | | problems associated with prolonged drug use. The |
| needles then let them touch us! I say that in good | | | | most common reported side effect is skin |
| humor, but it is a fact that you may have to go | | | | irritation at the site of the electrode. TENS should |
| to several different therapists before you find | | | | be used with caution by cardiac pacemaker |
| one that won't make you feel even worse than | | | | recipients. |
| you did. That said, there are many fantastic | | | | Of course, you need to talk to your doctor about |
| physical therapists out there! | | | | any therapy (conventional or non-conventional) |
| TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) | | | | that you'd like to try. Everyone responds |
| is one modality that worked well for me. It uses | | | | differently to different treatments and certain |
| low-voltage electrical current for pain relief and is | | | | medical conditions might make some therapies |
| usually done in physical therapy under the care of | | | | dangerous, depending on your medical condition. |
| a physical therapist. TENS involves the use of a | | | | |