| I recently came across two research studies which | | | | management course to follow and the last group |
| you may find interesting if you have fibromyalgia. One | | | | combined all four of these elements. |
| suggests that those with fibromyalgia have a | | | | The fourth group got the best overall results, combining |
| disconnect between their ability to sense and feel | | | | exercise with education. The key with this population |
| proper movement, and the other study showed a | | | | would be gradual increase in exercise intensity, as it |
| program of walking, stretching, and strengthening | | | | would be for everyone. |
| offered positive results. | | | | These results were still present at a six month |
| The first study is quite interesting, as the authors | | | | followup. |
| showed that often these sufferers have a mismatch | | | | Obviously, massage therapy would be of great help in |
| between the sensory and motor systems, basically a | | | | reducing pain and dysfunction. Specific stretches that |
| lack of proper communication. Your sensory system | | | | involve gentle movement would definitely help most |
| would consist of your eyes and ears, and your joint | | | | people. Joint mobility movements would fit this |
| and muscle receptors. | | | | description, as they involve slow, controlled movements |
| Your sensory system, which is sometimes referred to | | | | of the joints. |
| as proprioception, senses joint position and force going | | | | Another thing that joint mobility works on is the mind |
| through your joints, as well as the length of your | | | | body connection, consciously feeling what is going on |
| muscles. It then provides this information to your | | | | as you move. These type of movements can also |
| nervous system, which then relays this information to | | | | help reestablish the proper connection between the |
| your muscles. | | | | sensory and motor systems. Often times after injury, |
| Apparently, people with fibromyalgia have a disconnect | | | | this connection is interrupted and needs to be retrained. |
| between these systems. For example, researchers | | | | Dr. Thomas Hanna refers to this interruption as |
| asked 19 patients to do a movement with one arm, | | | | sensory-motor amnesia. |
| which was hidden from view, while watching the | | | | Whole body vibration can also help as it provides a |
| reflection of their other arm in a mirror. In 16 of the | | | | large endorphin release to help with pain reduction. It |
| patients this caused a flare up of symptoms. | | | | can also help restore proper connection between the |
| In their eyes this adds to the growing body of | | | | sensors and muscles. Whole body vibration platforms |
| evidence of the communication problems between | | | | cause reflex contractions of the muscles to occur |
| sensory and motor systems. I'll show you some ways | | | | from 25-50 times per second. |
| to work on this later. | | | | The vibration also stimulates your receptors, sending a |
| Study number two looked at the effects of exercise | | | | lot of information to your nervous system - information |
| on fibromyalgia patients. One group was asked to | | | | which competes with the pain signals, possibly blocking |
| follow a program of walking and stretching. Another | | | | some of them. One study on WBV at Ohio State |
| added in simple strength training movements to the | | | | showed positive results with fibromyalgia patients. |
| walking and stretching. A third was given a self | | | | |