| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Dr James Alexander |
Posted - 05/21/2013 : 19:49:11
Recent research demonstrates that rather than make fibromyalgia pain worse, the overall result is often a decrease of pain and associated symptoms. This finding is applicable to most forms of chronic pain. For further discussion, and tips on how to introduce exercise into your pain treatment plan, go to:-
Dr James Alexander on Face Book
or
http://drjamespsychologist-com.webs.com/apps/blog/
feel free to leave comments
James |
| 11 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 05/25/2013 : 15:27:07
And of course it's almost a given to most of us at this point, but exercise regularly grades out as highly or higher than antidepressant medications at relieving depression...
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brain-bootcamp/201009/can-exercise-cure-depression
You can search the web and find similar results for anxiety treatment, of course. |
| bjackson034 |
Posted - 05/25/2013 : 00:16:05
Interesting. Thanks for posting. |
| art |
Posted - 05/24/2013 : 17:48:51
quote:
Originally posted by bryan3000
To me at all stands to reason because the very notion of exercise is so empowering, as opposed to the mindset of anxiety (TMS) which is one of a victim, symptom-watching, etc.
It also goes further in my opinion to dispel the notion that we can't treat anxiety by physical means as well as psychologically.
Bryan, that's very insightful. In fact, I really think the best practical treatment for anxiety is physical, which makes sense when we remember that anxiety can't exist without its physical concomitants. Trying to think my way out of anxiety usually just makes me worse. Deep breathing, relaxation exercises, exercise itself are the way to go for me.
This is not to say that therapy, hard won insights, experience, wisdom are not helpful and likely needed for permanent relief. We are of course thinking animals. But thinking is a two edged-sword. Every positive thought contains within it its negative counterpart.
I like the old aphorism, "if you don't think too good, don't think too much. |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 05/24/2013 : 13:52:33
To me at all stands to reason because the very notion of exercise is so empowering, as opposed to the mindset of anxiety (TMS) which is one of a victim, symptom-watching, etc.
It also goes further in my opinion to dispel the notion that we can't treat anxiety by physical means as well as psychologically. |
| chickenbone |
Posted - 05/24/2013 : 10:38:10
Same with me, Art. |
| art |
Posted - 05/24/2013 : 09:14:34
I have a chronic illness which would be almost entirely asymptomatic if I could only exercise all day long. When I was younger...up till 10 years ago or so...I'd run in the a.m and bike in the p.m. (maybe an hour run and 2 hour bike ride), and I was in effect almost cured.
I can't do that at 62, but my daily run or swim helps immensely.
What's even better is if I work in the yard, because I can do that for hours without wearing out. Golf is good too for that reason. I find it's not intensity that does it, but just moderate activity over s sustained period...
Movement=life |
| pspa123 |
Posted - 05/22/2013 : 18:05:28
I go through periods with very tight leg muscles. Not my main pain problem, but enough to be quite noticeable. The treadmill or the bike invariably helps, whether it's a temporary distraction or some physiological thing I'm not sure. |
| bryan3000 |
Posted - 05/22/2013 : 17:41:32
Dr. Alexander...
Exercise was the sole thing that helped me at all during the early stages of my breakdown.
Even before I realized that it was all nervous system, anxiety-related. (TMS, et al.)
Not just physically, but walking or jogging gave me some power back. I felt in control while I was doing it and it's definitely a distraction.
It seems that exercise helps psychological disorders across the board. It's one of the few things that seems to have an almost 100% positive impact-rate, to varying degrees.
When you're suffering, even 5% improvement is welcome. But, I got way more than that and still do.
|
| Dr James Alexander |
Posted - 05/22/2013 : 17:25:10
thanks both Chickenbone and Birdie for your comments- its important that people verify this finding with their own experiences. As i stated, exercise is usually the last thing people in pain feel like doing- it seems counterintuitive, but when pain is chronic it is often a necessary part of getting better. But there are smart ways of going about, which you have both demonstrated.
James |
| Birdie78 |
Posted - 05/22/2013 : 03:48:09
Hi,
I also noticed that my fibro-related symptomes (diffuse pain, exhaustion, flu-like-symptoms improved a lot and nearly disappeared with increased activity like riding my bike). I unfortunately also notice that this does not work for my other non-fibro-typical tms-hotspots like my stiff elbow and shoulder and my footpain.
But never the less I am very happy to get better and better from the typical fibro symptoms which were really very disabling at some moments.
I paced my activity very slowly and started with riding my bike 10 minutes a day and now I am able to ride it for 40 minutes a day without any symptoms  !!!!
So thanks for sharing this article!
Kind regards from Germany sends Birdie |
| chickenbone |
Posted - 05/21/2013 : 21:41:46
Hi Dr. James,
Thanks for the post. I find exercise very helpful and very necessary. I try to do a lot of walking/hiking. When I can't do it for a few days, I feel the difference with increased discomfort. I also try to swim a lot. |
