Fibromyalgia

1. Fibromyalgia Jonathan Cooke 0311284 Kevin Repay 0275542 Tara Ruberto 0306015

2. What is Fibromyalgia? • Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain illness characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain, and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances. -(National Fibromyalgia Association, 2006)

3. Common Sites of Pain • The most common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle, and hands, but any body part can be affected.

4. Signs and Symptoms • Pain • Fatigue • Sleep disorder • Chronic headaches • Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

5. Contraindicators for Physical Activity • Cold/humid weather • Insufficient sleep • Fatigue • Excessive vigorous physical activity or inactivity • Anxiety • Stress • Strenuous strength training exercises

6. Treatment/Suggestions • Moderate intensity aerobic exercise • Swimming or walking • Lifestyle adaptations • Nutritional changes • Improves sleep regimen • Medications • NSAIDS (Ibuprofen) • Acetaminophen • Therapies • Therapeutic massage, application of heat or cold, acupuncture

7. Tips for Exercise • Moderate intensity aerobic exercise • Perform functional strength training exercises using light weights • Focus on flexibility however, avoid overstretching • Include pauses between exercise repetitions • Segment strength training – Perform exercises for upper extremity and lower extremity muscles groups on separate occasions

8. Tips for Exercise Cont… • Limit strenuous strength training activities • Limit vigorous physical activity • Avoid eccentric muscle contraction • Incorporate at least 1 say rest between sessions • Essential to find a midpoint between too much and too little activity

9. Recommendations for Exercise Programming • The goal of exercise programming should be first and foremost to prevent further de-conditioning that could compound the disability. • Clients should be warned that they may feel increased fatigue in the first few weeks of an exercise program • Exercise should be initiated at very low levels based on clients current activity tolerance • Aerobic exercise should use familiar activities at low levels of intensity • The focus should be to get client physically functional ie. push, pull, walking up stairs • Flexibility exercise may be prescribed to preserve normal range of motion

10. Recommendations for Exercise Programming Con’t • Strength training exercises should be based on preservation of levels of strength • Progression of exercise activity should focus primarily on increasing the duration of moderate intensity activities instead of increasing exercise intensity • Emphasize use of motivational cues – social and extrinsic • Avoid eccentric or upper extremity overhead loading • Supervise and control with follow up support • Avoid early morning exercise • Ensure adequate time and attention for client

11. Special Considerations • Depression may accompany condition as lifestyle changes occur due to persistent symptoms • Often clients will express frustration as people are not sympathetic to their condition • Clients tend to cope with symptoms by planning acivities to budget their energy

12. References • Mondell, D. L. (c2005.). Living with fibromyalgia 4 steps to manage pain and lead a fulfilling life / (1st ed. ed.). New York : McGraw-Hill,. • National Fibromyalgia Association. (2006). Retreived February 1, 2007, from http://www.fmaware.org/fminfo/brochure.htm • Sietsema, K. E. (1997). Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In J.L. Durstine & G.E. Moore (Eds.), American College of Sports Medicine:Exercise Management for Persons with Chronic Diseases and Disabilities. (pp.141-145). Windsor: Human Kinetics • Wallace, Daniel J. (Daniel Jeffrey),1949-. (2002.). All about fibromyalgia. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press,.