Fibromyalgia: How Exercise Physiology Can Help You Regain Control
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties often referred to as “fibro fog.” While the exact cause of fibromyalgia is not fully understood, research suggests it involves changes in how the nervous system processes pain, leading to heightened pain sensitivity.
Exercising with Confidence with Rheumatoid Arthritis
If you’re living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), exercise can feel confusing—or even intimidating. You may have been told to “rest your joints” or you might worry that movement will worsen pain or inflammation. As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, I want to reassure you: appropriate exercise is one of the most powerful tools for managing RA, not something to avoid.
Psychology for Pain
Did you know that more than 90% of women with fibromyalgia, and about 76% of chronic lower back pain sufferers have suffered psychological trauma? Furthermore, chronic pain sufferers are more than twice as likely to suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms. Through science, we are learning more and more about the connection between severe stress and pain.
Why hurt does not always equal harm (persistent pain perspective)
If you have experienced an injury that has turned chronic, then you may well understand that there are adaptations that occur in your body that can leave you feeling ‘not quite like it used to feel’ when you do certain activities. Learning why this occurs is often the first step in managing your persistent pain. We can understand this by exploring the ‘Twin Peaks’ Metaphor described by pain researchers David Butler and Lorimer Mosely in their book Explain Pain (see below). Let’s discuss!