Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It occurs in approximately 2 percent of the population in the United States. The cause is currently unknown, but it is a debilitating condition. The fatigue and multiple tender points make movement and physical exertion a painful and costly affair. However, weightlifting has been known to reduce the severity of symptoms over the long term.
Significance
If you suffer from fibromyalgia, then you are probably aware of the fact that physical activity elicits pain by putting pressure on tender muscles and joints. It might seem counter-intuitive, then, that exercise can also be used to alleviate symptoms. Many medical conditions -- for example, metabolic disorders -- grow worse with exertion. However, weightlifting can break the chronic pain cycle associated with fibromaylgia syndrome.
Benefits
Studies conducted by Harvard University have demonstrated that a consistent and progressive strength training regimen helps to reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia. Specifically, it increases energy and reduces fatigue; reduces muscle pain and stiffness by encouraging daily use of all body parts; improves your ability to fall asleep faster and remain in deep sleep longer; and improves your mood and alleviates symptoms of depression.
Considerations
Pain during exercise may be acute at first, so fibromyalgia sufferers who want to lift weights should not necessarily be concerned with the amount of weight that can be lifted. Instead, you should focus on building strength, endurance and muscle tone by lifting a small amount of weight regularly and correctly. This treatment is most effective when combined with a stretching and aerobics routine, but weightlifting on its own is enough to reduce symptoms.
Study
A 2002 study published by the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" found that a mixture of aerobic, strength and flexibility training in patients with fibromaylgia improved overall physical function and pain threshold. This suggests that all types of exercise may act as a palliative measure that can help a patient cope with the condition. However, weightlifting cannot cure fibromyalgia.
Workouts
In order to optimize each workout, you should start with three to five repetitions and gradually increase your lifts over time until you can perform 10 to 12 repetitions. Try to do two to three sets for each exercise. Workout sessions need to be spaced at least a day or two apart. If you continue to feel pain, then you can space them further apart. This is the best way to help deal with fibromyalgia by lifting weights.
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