Answers (6)
1
I have plenty of experience with FM, and one of the things to consider is that no two people with FM are alike. Some can only do very low level intensity, others are able to perform and are asking for regular workouts.
My best advice is to have a very open communication with the client. Be prepared for different answers on different days. Thus, you may need to modify on the fly. But do not make the mistake to under-challenge when it is not necessary.
Obviously, you start easy but do not limit yourself (and the client). You can progress a person with FM as you would any other person: depending on their abilities.
My best advice is to have a very open communication with the client. Be prepared for different answers on different days. Thus, you may need to modify on the fly. But do not make the mistake to under-challenge when it is not necessary.
Obviously, you start easy but do not limit yourself (and the client). You can progress a person with FM as you would any other person: depending on their abilities.
1
The MOST IMPORTANT THING to do Melanie, is to be sure that the person does suffer from FM, and get a medical clearance. The person with FM has a lot of flexibity, but little stability. Start with stretching and low intensity CV exercises are the favorite choices. Focus on shoulder, pelvic girdles, and trunk, strength. That should improve joint and spinal stabilities. Every flexibility exercise MUST be followed by a stability exercise and when necessary, limit ROM
Hope this helps and best of luck.
Hope this helps and best of luck.
1
I specialize in clients with chronic medical conditions, and I see FM as well as its annoying baby sister, CFS, frequently. Like Karin said above, FM is a challenging condition because it presents itself so differently from person to person. Here are my biggest 2 tips for you.
1. On strength training days, never focus on a few muscle groups per session as you would with a typical client. For example, don't have a back and biceps day on Monday, then a chest/triceps day on Wed. Instead, do an all over strength routine each session and choose functional exercises. This will lessen their chances of post workout flare-ups.
2. One of the things I have my clients do is keep a daily log that measures 3 things on a 1-10 rating scale: 1) symptom level, 2) energy level, and 3) activity level. At the end of the month, I plot it on a graph and I send it on to their physician. Using a tool like this will help you plan workouts based on their patterns. You'll eventually be able to almost predict what type of workout will lead to flares.
1. On strength training days, never focus on a few muscle groups per session as you would with a typical client. For example, don't have a back and biceps day on Monday, then a chest/triceps day on Wed. Instead, do an all over strength routine each session and choose functional exercises. This will lessen their chances of post workout flare-ups.
2. One of the things I have my clients do is keep a daily log that measures 3 things on a 1-10 rating scale: 1) symptom level, 2) energy level, and 3) activity level. At the end of the month, I plot it on a graph and I send it on to their physician. Using a tool like this will help you plan workouts based on their patterns. You'll eventually be able to almost predict what type of workout will lead to flares.
0
Melanie,
Great question, this is the first I have heard of Fibromyalgia, so it is very interesting to me. I have been on several websites, most seem to be in concert, Swimming, hydro therapy and Yoga exercises seem to work best. I am looking forward to feedback from others on this.
Great question, this is the first I have heard of Fibromyalgia, so it is very interesting to me. I have been on several websites, most seem to be in concert, Swimming, hydro therapy and Yoga exercises seem to work best. I am looking forward to feedback from others on this.
0
I'd recommend you take a look at the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for working with a patient with Fibromyalgia.
- The main thing to remember is that the exercise program should help improve the quality of life of the patient, i.e. help reduce pain and facilitate activities of daily living (getting out of bed, going up and down a flight of stairs, etc...)
- The main thing to remember is that the exercise program should help improve the quality of life of the patient, i.e. help reduce pain and facilitate activities of daily living (getting out of bed, going up and down a flight of stairs, etc...)
0
The client probably already knows that overdoing it can cause flareups. Progress slowly! Get a feel for their strength and flexibility and develop a routine that they can tolerate. If you notice they are flexible in an area don't keep going just to find out how flexible they are.
When strength training, be aware of the overall work that is being placed on the system including the amount of mental stress they are placing on themselves.
Lastly, some people with FM find that a warm-water therapy pool works well. However, due to the relaxing nature of such pools, you really need to be careful about over doing it. I recommend following a carefully structured workout plan and slowly adding to it as you go again being very aware of the overall energy requirement.
When strength training, be aware of the overall work that is being placed on the system including the amount of mental stress they are placing on themselves.
Lastly, some people with FM find that a warm-water therapy pool works well. However, due to the relaxing nature of such pools, you really need to be careful about over doing it. I recommend following a carefully structured workout plan and slowly adding to it as you go again being very aware of the overall energy requirement.
