7 Key Benefits of Physical Therapy for Fibromyalgia Pain Management

Fibromyalgia can cause debilitating pain all over your entire body. While the thought of exercising might sound painful, it’s one of the best ways to manage your fibromyalgia. 

Here at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute, our double board-certified pain management specialist, Ronak D. Patel, MD, leads our team in helping patients who suffer from fibromyalgia. We recommend physical therapy to encourage blood flow, strengthen your muscles, and promote the health of your connective tissues. It can also prevent other problems from occurring.

Let’s look at how physical therapy can benefit you. Here are seven ways:

1. Helps reduce the need for medication

While medication can relieve pain, it can also have side effects and other downsides. For instance, medication can become addictive or it can stop being effective. 

1. Relieves stiffness

Pain can limit your mobility due to stiff joints. Unfortunately, your stiffness can lead to increased pain, and you can also lose your muscle tone and strength. However, physical therapy can help restore the ease of movement with exercises that increase your flexibility and strength all over your body.

1. Works well with other treatments

Physical therapy can work in tandem with other nonsurgical treatments, such as medications, trigger point injections, and medical marijuana if you’re eligible under the New Jersey Medicinal Marijuana program.

1. Can relieve nerve irritation

If you have compressed nerves in your back, physical therapy has exercises that relieve your compression and irritation. We give you stretching techniques that can help your spine joints function properly to help your nerves function as they should.

1. Can prevent issues in the future

Physical therapy does more than just tackle your present pain. It also helps improve your strength, balance, flexibility, and posture, which can help you avoid accidents in the future, like falling. 

1. May eliminate the need for surgery

Physical therapy provides a pathway to natural healing. Many times, a routine plan of exercise helps ward off pain that might call for surgery.

1. Customized for you

Our Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute team tailors your physical therapy plan specific to your needs. We evaluate your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle, and other factors. As you attend regular visits, we monitor your progress to ensure a successful outcome.

In addition to physical therapy, we encourage you to do your best to keep your stress levels low with practices like meditation and mindfulness. Combining relaxation techniques with physical therapy can offer effective outcomes.

Don’t let fibromyalgia rule your life. Come in for an evaluation to see if a physical therapy plan is what you need. Contact us today at the location nearest you in Plainsboro or Manalapan Township, New Jersey.