Dr. Vaishali Suri (P.T.)
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive difficulties ('fibro fog'), and often mood disturbances. It affects approximately 2–4% of the population, predominantly women. The underlying mechanism involves central sensitisation — the nervous system becomes hypersensitive, amplifying pain signals throughout the body.
Why Exercise Is the Most Important Treatment
Multiple meta-analyses confirm that aerobic exercise and resistance training are the most effective interventions for fibromyalgia, reducing pain, fatigue, and improving function. Yet many fibromyalgia patients avoid exercise due to fear of pain exacerbation — a cycle that worsens deconditioning and sensitisation. The key is graded, supervised exercise with appropriate pacing.
Physiotherapy Approach for Fibromyalgia
Graded Exercise Therapy
We start at very low intensity — often just walking 5 minutes — and increase gradually based on the patient's response. The goal is to break the deconditioning cycle without triggering post-exertional malaise. Aquatic exercise (hydrotherapy) is particularly well-tolerated.
Pain Education
Understanding the neuroscience of pain — why the brain amplifies signals in fibromyalgia — is itself therapeutic. Pain education reduces fear-avoidance, catastrophising, and hypervigilance, leading to measurable improvements in function.
Sleep and Pacing Strategies
Poor sleep worsens fibromyalgia pain. We provide advice on sleep hygiene and pacing strategies to manage activity within the patient's current capacity without boom-bust cycles.
Gentle Manual Therapy
Soft tissue techniques and gentle joint mobilisation provide temporary pain relief and improve local circulation. We avoid aggressive techniques that can exacerbate symptoms in sensitised patients.
TENS and Electrotherapy
TENS, laser, and low-level light therapy can reduce localised pain and are useful adjuncts to exercise therapy.
Managing Fibromyalgia in Faridabad
At Realign Rehab Clinic, NIT-5, Faridabad, we understand fibromyalgia is complex and requires patience and individualised care. Book your consultation today.