Pilates for Fibromyalgia

[Lauraaa]

Hi, does anyone here do pilates for their pain and tightness symptoms? Does it help at all? I go running twice a week and try to walk 1-2 miles every day but I have recently started doing some aerobics classes at the gym (I've done a weights based one and legs, bums and tums) and they nearly killed me off. I was thinking pilates maybe to strengthen the muscles and provide the additional stretch needed that I don't get with walking/running. Anyone have any experience they are willing to share

[Gaye1963]

Well done you running with fibro - amazing! I started pilates before my diagnosis because of my back pain (for me that was a sentinel signal of my condition -- ignored by medics for years) and have continued with it and for me it's been excellent. The NHS has posted on YouTube half hour videos of pilates specifically for FM.

Also consider tai chi -- the week I was diagnosed researchers in the US published a paper comparing the value of aerobics with tai chi in FM. The peeople doing tai chi twice a week reported greater improvements than those doing aerobics. So I've been doing tai chi plus pilates and for me (58, overweight, FM probably since my mid-30s) both have made a big difference.

[Jaycee18]

I’ve done Pilates for about 15 years, it’s the only form of exercise that I actually enjoy, rather than doing it because I think I should.

I find it good for the mind as well as the body, because you are so engrossed in what your arms and legs are doing, keeping your core tight and breathing in the right way at the same time you can’t think about anything else.

Stopped going to classes because of lockdown and really suffered as a result. Just starting to ease myself back in gently but the amount of flexibility I have lost is scary.

Like with any class I do think you should be open with the instructor about your condition and any limitations. For example I have particular issues with my arms and shoulders, so we limit the amount of repetitions I do of exercises that put weight through my arms, occasionally there is an exercise I need to sit out altogether but better that than pay the pain price for days afterwards.

[Painny]

Hi,

I have got severe fibromyalgia, and my body and brain are as stiff as a metal. Gentle physio such as Pilates is good as long as you do not overdo it.

A few days ago I reregistered with my local gym for basic exercises, including Pilates. I also started doing soft and deep tissue massages as and when the money allows. What I like most is the Hot Yoga.

If you go for Pilates let your teacher know in advance about your conditions. Well done for doing a mile a day. Every little helps.

All the best

[Genie-gee21]

There is some exercises on the nhs app for back pain , I have problems with my back & shoulder & do some gentle strengths to keep the muscles moving as I get a lot or muscle knots l was advised by my Physo to carry on doing them 2-3 times a day & if need be use hot & cold ice packs I hope that is some help to you if you can’t afford a gym you can do this at home & in your own time as you need to keep moving or it will only get worse

[557755]

I couldn't manage without Pilates. I'm so impressed you can run with Fibro - I find anything too strenuous puts me straight into a flare and the same if I'm not active/mobile enough. I do Pilates twice a week (or a fibromyalgia for yoga video on YouTube if I'm struggling for time), swim twice a week (although that can be very painful at times on my shoulders but the jacuzzi helps on those days) and a combination of shorter and longer walks depending on how i am that day (eg can I find the will power to put one foot in front of the other?!) with my dog. I try to stick to this, and hold down a full time job as a teacher, otherwise the balance slips back into a world of pain However, if I had to only do one thing I would keep the Pilates. Good luck with your Fibro journey. Alison

PS reading this back I would have wanted to punch myself a few years ago as this much activity, however gentle, would have been so out of my reach. it has been a very slow journey to get to this point - I fully recognise so many of us here want to scream when people say you need to exercise when you just want to lie down and cry with pain and fatigue. For the first month I had the goal to walk 4 widths of the pool and often didn't make it. Now I aim to swim for 2 x 15 mins and often manage it. Goodness, I have gone on! Apologies - I don't usually post but you must have caught me on a 'sharing' day!

[Beckster22]

Hi Lauraa, I was doing Pilates anyway about 7 years ago to help with strength and weight loss. When I finally got my (one and only) appointment with the rheumatologist, whilst she was examining me she said ‘whatever you do don’t stop doing Pilates’, so that’s that! I haven’t stopped and am sure it helps me enormously. I have a fantastic teacher who, though aware of my condition, totally trusts us all to know our limits. I’ve carried on through lockdown and through the summer too when we normally have a break. Keep going with it xx