Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain in the body, intense fatigue, unrefreshing sleep and often difficulty concentrating. It mainly affects women and, for years, many people felt their pain was not understood. Today we know much more about it, and we also know that physiotherapy and exercise are an important part of treatment.
What we know about fibromyalgia today
Fibromyalgia is not a disease of the muscles or joints. It is linked to increased nervous system sensitivity to pain: the body processes signals in an amplified way, so normal stimuli are felt as painful. Factors such as ongoing stress, poor sleep or previous pain experiences can play a part.
This does not mean the pain is imaginary: it is real and has a big impact on daily life.
Most common symptoms
- Widespread pain in several areas of the body for more than three months.
- Fatigue that does not improve with rest.
- Unrefreshing sleep.
- Stiffness, especially in the morning.
- Memory and concentration difficulties.
- Sensitivity to cold, noise or touch.
How physiotherapy helps
- Pain education: understanding what is happening in the nervous system reduces fear and helps you make better decisions about activity.
- Adapted exercise therapy: the intervention with the strongest evidence. It improves pain, fatigue, sleep and mood.
- Activity pacing: learning to dose effort to avoid the cycle of overdoing it on good days and paying for it afterwards.
- Gentle manual therapy and relaxation techniques as support, never as the only treatment.
How to start exercising with fibromyalgia
- Start very gently: 10 minutes of walking or stationary cycling can be a good starting point.
- Increase gradually, even if you feel good one day. Consistency matters more than intensity.
- Combine gentle aerobic exercise, light strength work and mobility.
- Warm water is an excellent environment to start in.
- Activities such as therapeutic Pilates, yoga or tai chi are usually well tolerated.
It is normal for pain to increase slightly at first. If it is moderate and returns to your usual level within a day or two, you can carry on; if not, reduce the load.
Other pillars of treatment
- Good sleep habits.
- Psychological support when there is anxiety, stress or low mood.
- Medical follow-up of medication.
- Healthy eating and social support.
Fibromyalgia treatment works best when it is multidisciplinary and the person plays an active role.
Physiotherapy for fibromyalgia in Gines
If you live with fibromyalgia, we support you with a realistic, adapted exercise plan at your own pace so you can regain activity and quality of life. At Therapeía Fisioterapia we see patients at Avenida de Europa 3G in Gines (Seville), just minutes from Bormujos, Espartinas, Castilleja de la Cuesta, Valencina and the rest of the Aljarafe area. After a full assessment we design a physiotherapy and exercise therapy plan tailored to you. You can meet our physiotherapy team or book an appointment by calling +34 624 244 420.
For more information from a reliable source, see MedlinePlus, the U.S. National Library of Medicine health encyclopedia, on fibromyalgia.
Frequently asked questions about fibromyalgia
Does exercise make fibromyalgia worse?
At first it may increase pain slightly, but well-dosed, progressive exercise is the intervention that most improves pain and fatigue in the medium term.
What type of exercise is best for fibromyalgia?
A combination of gentle aerobic exercise, light strength work and mobility. Warm water exercise, Pilates or tai chi are usually well tolerated.
Can massage cure fibromyalgia?
It can bring temporary relief, but it does not replace exercise and pain education, which are the basis of treatment.
