Yoga and Stress Management in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

by Jaime R. Carlo-Casellas, Ph.D.

Healthy Times May - June

Fibromyalgia is now recognized as a medical disorder with debilitating symptoms such as chronic muscle and joint pain, fatigue, and anxiety. These symptoms often interfere with day-to-day activities. And, since the symptoms frequently overlap with those of other diseases, until properly diagnosed, people with fibromyalgia may not know what is wrong with them or what is causing their pain.

Investigators are constantly looking at various explanations for the causes of fibromyalgia. Most conclude that fibromyalgia results from a combination of physiological dysfunctions and chronic stress. Even so, some physicians still mistakenly consider fibromyalgia to be a psychosomatic problem rather than a real disease process. This misconception does little to help fibromyalgia sufferers and can leave them feeling demoralized, discouraged, and hopeless.

The common treatments for fibromyalgia include medications, physical therapy, and nutritional counseling. But, since many fibromyalgia sufferers find that these are not enough to ease the chronic pain and discomfort, many seek alternative forms of self-care.

Among the alternative treatments, yoga has been found to be one of the most effective. Yoga provides the patient with excellent symptom relief while helping her/him achieve physical and spiritual balance. And, if practiced properly, under the direction of a trained instructor, yoga is safe, easy to master, and relatively inexpensive.

Even though some yoga postures might feel slightly painful, the damage to muscle or connective tissue is generally minimal, if any. It is important, however, to differentiate between the dull discomfort of stretching a muscle, which is safe, and the sharp pain that comes from compressing a joint or straining a ligament. If the latter type of pain is felt, it is important to come out of the posture immediately.

Stress management is another intervention that has been used successfully to improve the ability to cope with the disease. Chronic stress, in particular, can affect the perception of pain, which may be why fibromyalgia sufferers are more susceptible to the effects of stress than people without the condition. Stress weakens the body and suppresses the immune system. In a weakened state, the patient is more vulnerable to the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Stress management can help the patient cope with the pain and quiet the mental chatter that can lead to physical and emotional distress.

Oftentimes, the stressed patient overloads her/him self with work, caretaking duties, and other activities—erroneously allowing outside responsibilities to take precedence over their personal health and well-being. Sufferers often do not recognize that managing stress is essential to relieving the discomfort of fibromyalgia. Yet, managing stress is not simple.

Stress management should be learned from a trained stress management specialist. The modalities which have proven successful include intentional observation of the breath, sitting meditation, body-awareness meditation, visualization, and progressive muscle relaxation. The cultivation of these modalities inculcates present-moment awareness, which can be practiced during every-day activities such as eating, bathing, or walking. And like yoga, stress management is safe, relatively easy to master, and reasonably inexpensive.

Patients practicing yoga and stress management report that the benefits of these modalities include:

• Decreased number of episodes and intensity of pain
• Enhanced ability to cope with pain
• Decreased fatigue and anxiety
• Reduced reliance on drugs
• Improved sleep
• Greater efficiency and output at work, and
• Improved concentration and information processing.

In conclusion, yoga and stress management are well-documented interventions in the treatment of fibromyalgia, providing relief from symptoms, increased hope, and the ability to cope with pain effectively. Though not a cure, these practices offer a better quality of life for the patient with this debilitating medical condition.