Myalgic encephalitis, also known as ME, is a medical term that defines a type of chronic fatigue syndrome. You may be diagnosed with some form of chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, that affects you in different ways. Your age, overall physical condition and the severity of your condition determines the therapeutic or treatment approach by your doctor. For some, exercise may help with symptoms.
Definition
Myalgic encephalitis defines muscle pain caused by neurological or nerve signals transmitted from the brain. Inflammation of brain or spinal cord tissues causes an overwhelming sense of fatigue, and neurological symptoms such as difficulty speaking or swallowing, muscle weakness and lack of coordination, loss of balance and muscle twitching. Cognitive symptoms include slow thought processes or processing, confusion, and forgetfulness and inability to focus attention span.
Exercise
Your doctor may recommend exercise to help maintain weight and overall physical health. Select exercises that allow slow and gentle movements, depending on the severity of your condition, your symptoms and your goals. For some, extreme fatigue may follow exercise, so it's important to carefully monitor your reaction to exercise and discuss potential treatments with your doctor. Pacing yourself during exercise is important to avoid this reaction.
Stretching
Stretching your muscles may help reduce or relieve symptoms of CFS or ME and help you feel more relaxed. Use your own body weight for stretching until your joints become more flexible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest a 1-3 ratio, stretching for one minute followed by three minutes of rest. As you tolerate such exercise, incrementally increase your time of stretching exercise followed by rest as suits your needs and response to the activity.
Strength Training
Your doctor may encourage you to engage in gentle strength training to maintain muscle tone and joint strength. For example, performing a wall push up or squeezing an object in your hands. Depending on how you tolerate beginner strength training exercise, you may advance to using resistance bands for exercises to help treat ME. Start any strength training exercises with two to three repetitions, gradually building up to eight, suggests the CDC.
Aerobics
You may be able to engage in aerobic activity depending on your ME symptoms, severity of your condition and your treatment goals. Pain tolerance differs between individuals, so work in conjunction with your doctor to devise an aerobic session that is beneficial to your needs. Start with low-impact aerobics like tai chi, Pilates or yoga. Exercise for three to five minutes to start, and gradually increase your exercise time by approximately 20 percent every couple of weeks, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center.
