Engraved bricks are a permanent tribute to those who have served the Army and its families. These tributes line the walkways leading to the museum.

Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain, fatigue and a variety of other symptoms. Symptoms can be managed with medications.

Acupuncture may help control fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. It has been shown to reduce fibromyalgia pain and improve sleep.

Self-care

Fibromyalgia symptoms are unpredictable and can disrupt your daily life, but self-care strategies can help you manage them and improve your quality of life. These strategies include regular exercise, adequate sleep, and stress management. It is also important to eat well and avoid foods that trigger your pain and fatigue.

Exercise can be helpful for fibromyalgia because it relieves pain and increases energy levels. However, it is important to find a routine that works for your body and level of fitness. Try starting small and gradually increasing your activity level. You may also want to consider working with a physical therapist or trainer to design an exercise plan that is safe for you and meets your needs.

Stress is one of the most common causes of fibromyalgia flare-ups, and it is difficult to control in our modern world. Practicing relaxation techniques, like meditation or breathing exercises, can reduce the effects of stress on your body. Having a positive mindset and being patient with yourself can also help to relieve your stress. You can also learn to recognize unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which may maintain or exacerbate problems, through a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy.

Adequate sleep is critical for fibromyalgia patients, because a lack of rest can lead to more fatigue and exacerbate pain and stiffness. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine can help you get a good night’s sleep. Setting a regular schedule, using comfortable bedding, adjusting the temperature of your bedroom, and minimizing noise and light can all promote sleep.

Another way to promote better sleep is by limiting alcohol and caffeine, as these substances can disrupt the sleep cycle. It is also a good idea to stay hydrated.

You should also be sure to eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Try to limit processed foods and sugary snacks, as they can increase inflammation and make your symptoms worse.

Physical activity

Exercise is a mainstay in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. It helps improve strength and flexibility, reduce pain, and control weight. It’s also one of the most effective ways to get rid of fatigue and relax. However, exercise may be difficult for many people with fibromyalgia. Pain and fatigue may discourage some from getting regular exercise, but research shows that even low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, yoga, tai chi, or water aerobics are effective.

In addition to boosting energy, physical activity also improves sleep and relieves depression. It’s important to start slowly and gradually increase your activity level. This approach will help you avoid a phenomenon known as post-exertion malaise (PEM), in which exercise is followed by a day or so of fatigue and a return of symptoms.

If you’re new to exercise, try something simple, such as walking for 10 minutes a day or attending an exercise class at your local gym or community center. Often, these classes are designed for people with chronic pain or limited mobility, and they can boost your motivation.

Regular visits to a physical therapist can help you build confidence and relaxation in your body. They can also teach you more about your body and movement, which can ease the pain and stiffness of fibromyalgia. In fact, a study in the British Medical Journal found that participants who received fibromyalgia physical therapy experienced more improvement in their symptoms than those who didn’t receive treatment.

Massage therapy is another good way to reduce pain and relax muscles. It increases blood flow to the muscles and joints, and it promotes the production of natural painkillers in your body. It can also help with mood and anxiety, and it’s usually a pleasant experience.

Acupuncture, which involves putting needles into various points in your body to stimulate the release of chemicals that reduce pain and tension, is also very beneficial. Likewise, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is helpful for managing symptoms of fibromyalgia by teaching patients new ways to think and react to their pain. The key is to find strategies that work for you and stick with them.

Stress management

Managing stress is a challenge for everyone, but it can be doubly hard when you have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. For one, these conditions reset your “stress thermostat,” making you more sensitive to the effects of even a small amount of stress. Also, your symptoms can make it difficult to focus and prioritize activities.

To help alleviate your fibromyalgia symptoms, practice relaxation techniques and learn to recognize what triggers pain flare-ups. In addition, a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program can teach you strategies to cope with emotional distress and depression that often accompany fibromyalgia. For example, you may benefit from learning how to avoid negative self-talk and learn to relax through meditation or deep breathing exercises. You can also work on prioritizing tasks to conserve energy and improve your ability to cope with stressful situations.

If your workplace is a major source of stress, consider talking to your supervisor about it. In some cases, changing your job or reducing the amount of work you do can greatly reduce your stress levels. You can also ask for assistance from coworkers, and try using techniques like deep-breathing exercises or yoga to relax. Finally, sleep hygiene is vital: try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day and limit daytime napping.

While medications can reduce fibromyalgia symptoms, they do not cure the condition. That’s why lifestyle changes are so important. Two of our top fibromyalgia experts, Leslie Crofford, MD, and Daniel Clauw, MD, share their best tips for managing fibromyalgia with medication and self-care.

Fibromyalgia affects men and women of all ages and backgrounds, but there is hope for people with this disorder. Many have found relief from their symptoms through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes, including exercise, stress management, and getting enough sleep. In addition, some people have found that certain foods or beverages, such as coffee or chocolate, can reduce their fibromyalgia symptoms. If you have fibromyalgia, talk to your doctor about your symptoms and how they affect you. Your doctor may recommend a physical therapist, psychologist or other health care provider to help you manage your symptoms.

Sleep

Many people with Fibromyalgia struggle with sleep. It’s a Catch 22 situation – pain prevents sleep and lack of sleep increases pain. There are, however, a number of things you can do to improve your sleep. One option is to see a sleep specialist. They can teach you good sleep habits and help you to learn to cope with pain while sleeping.

Another option is cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia – CBT helps to change negative thought patterns that can keep you awake at night. Some studies suggest that CBT can also improve alertness and thinking ability and reduce anxiety.

Sleep problems are common with fibromyalgia and may be related to a higher frequency of fibromyalgia flares. During flares, symptoms are more severe and last longer than during normal times. This makes it particularly important to do everything you can to avoid a flare.

Other factors that contribute to poor sleep quality include a lack of exercise, stress, depression, and an unsupportive partner. People with fibromyalgia are also at greater risk for sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, which can be painful and interfere with sleep.

Research suggests that the pain-reduction effects of exercise are related to better sleep. This may be because the physical activity stimulates the release of natural painkillers in your body, called endorphins. It also increases oxygen flow to the brain and muscles, helping to ease the pain of fibromyalgia.

It is often recommended that people with fibromyalgia take an afternoon nap. Unfortunately, studies show that daytime naps can actually make it harder to fall asleep at night and may disrupt the deep sleep cycle needed for fibromyalgia relief. In addition, naps can interfere with the “consolidation” process whereby the brain processes new information, so you’re more likely to be forgetful after a nap.

It’s also worth considering whether or not you have sleep apnea, which is 10 times more common in people with fibromyalgia than in the general population. If you do have sleep apnea, treating it can significantly improve your quality of life and help with your fibromyalgia.