Appearing without warning and leaving suddenly after a year or two, the cause of polymyalgia rheumatica isn't completely understood. Along with pain, symptoms include lack of energy, weight loss and slight fever, according to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. For those diagnosed with polymyalgia, exercise and healthy diet are important components of a treatment plan.
Benefits
The London Pain Consultants report that stiffness is a particularly problematic symptom in polymyalgia. Stiffness sometimes causes those affected to have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. Range of motion exercises can help improve stiffness and keep you moving. Exercise to improve strength, such as weight lifting, can keep you from losing muscle and function. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming and biking often increase energy levels.
Considerations
Polymyalgia affects the membrane covering the joints, leading to pain and stiffness, according to the University of Washington. Pain in the neck, shoulders, hips and thighs often comes with polymyalgia. An inflammatory disorder, polymyalgia affects mostly older adults, according to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and the average age affected is 70. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends that people with joint inflammation exercise for 30 minutes per day. A balanced exercise program works best and should include walking and stretching exercises along with a low-impact activity like swimming. Don't participate in exercises that overwork the joints, such as competitive sports or running.
Treatment and Exercise
The University of Washington explains that the treatment for polymyalgia involves 10 to 20 mgilligrams per day of prednisone, an anti-inflammatory drug. Prednisone increases the risk of osteoporosis, but exercise can help lessen the risk. If you are able to tolerate weight-bearing exercise without pain, it is helpful in preventing osteoporosis, suggests University of Washington. The London Pain Consultants agree that muscle-strengthening exercise is helpful to polymyalgia sufferers to maintain strength. They also note that while pain occurs, polymyalgia does not cause muscle weakness. Calcium and vitamin D are also administered for osteoporosis prevention.
Pain Management During Exercise
According to the American Chronic Pain Association Chronicle, pacing your activity is important, because it allows you to exercise while managing pain. During a particular exercise such as walking, establish a baseline for activity. Note the amount of time, speed or distance you can walk without increasing pain. Don't expect your baseline to be at the level it was before you had polymyalgia. Alternate exercise with rest periods and make certain you rest before pain increases. Gradually make small increases in exercise or shorten rest periods. Work slowly and don't pressure yourself to progress.
Risks
Although exercise is beneficial to polymyalgia sufferers, there is a risk of increasing pain levels and fear that activities and exercise that make the pain worse. The most dangerous times occur when you feel well and overestimate how long or how hard you can exercise causing pain or soreness. Conversly, feeling pain and trying to push through can also leave you feeling worse.
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