Fibromyalgia Water Exercise

People with fibromyalgia can sometimes feel immobilized by great pain. The symptoms include painful muscles, ligaments and tendons. Although there is not a cure yet for fibromyalgia, there are ways to manage the pain. Water exercise helps alleviate some of the pain that accompanies this mysterious disease.

How Water Exercise Helps

• Because the major symptom of fibromyalgia is intense pain, the disease causes the muscles, tendons and ligaments to tighten, slowing blood's ability to flow through the body. This slowdown, only creates more pain and more problems for the body. If the blood flow decreases too much there's a chance for blood clots to form. Water exercise can help restore normal blood circulation that will also work toward reducing the pain.

Benefits of Water Exercise

• Water helps the body relax, reduces the stress on the muscles and decreases the pain. Water also makes it easier to exercise because you're not putting pressure on your joints and you're not supporting your body weight. It's the water's buoyancy that allows you to relax, move more easily and be flexible in ways that would cause you pain, if you weren't in the water.
  Exercise is the best medicine for fibromyalgia sufferers. Exercise decreases muscle stiffness. It also helps maintain mobility and flexibility that can protect joints and keep the body strong. Exercise also gives a sense of well-being to those with fibromyalgia and relief from depression.

Types of Water Exercise

• There are several types of water exercises, such as stretching, walking, aerobics, jogging and yoga. You can do any of these exercises on your own or join a water exercise class. There are some clubs that have specialized classes for those with fibromyalgia. Participating in group water exercise can offer support for your condition and the possibility of making new friends.

Beginning a Water Exercise Program

• As always, before beginning an exercise program, check with your doctor. Your doctor may also know of water exercise programs you can attend with qualified instructors. Once you begin your program, take things slow. Although you may feel able to do anything in the water, there still are risks when participating in any exercise program. Never work beyond your pain. If you're beginning to feel pain, stop. Your muscles and joints still need time to adjust to your new water exercise routine.