Fibromyalgia - when the whole body hurts

Fibromyalgia - when the whole body hurts

What physiotherapy and occupational therapy can do today

Fibromyalgia is more than just "sore muscles for no reason" - it is a complex chronic pain syndrome with far-reaching effects on the body, mind and everyday life. The good news is that effective therapeutic approaches are available today, even without medication or invasive procedures. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy in particular play a key role here - provided they are individualized, mindful and biopsychosocially oriented.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a functional pain syndrome characterized by the following core symptoms:

• Chronic, widespread muscle pain (often described as pulling, burning or pressing)

• Sleep disorders and non-restorative sleep

• Pronounced exhaustion (fatigue)

• vegetative complaints (e.g. irritable bowel syndrome, cardiac arrhythmia, dizziness)

• Cognitive impairments ("fibro-fog")

• Increased sensitivity to stress and pain

Background: The cause does not lie in the muscles or joints themselves, but in an altered pain processing in the central nervous system - a so-called central sensitization.

What does this mean for therapy?

The classic search for a "trigger" is often misleading in the case of fibromyalgia. An individual approach that pursues the following goals is much more helpful:

• Reduction of pain sensitivity

• Improving the quality of sleep

• Promoting movement and body confidence

• Support in dealing with everyday challenges and exhaustion

• Strengthening self-efficacy and self-care

Physiotherapy for fibromyalgia - gentle but targeted

Physiotherapy plays a special role in fibromyalgia - but far from overloading, triggering pain or strength targets. The right dosage, building body confidence and regulating the autonomic nervous system are crucial.

Therapeutic approaches:

• Gentle exercise training (e.g. walking, light strengthening exercises, dosed stretching)

• Breathing and relaxation techniques for vegetative calming

• Fascia and mobilization techniques to improve tissue awareness

• Medical yoga and sensorimotor exercises to improve self-regulation and interoceptive perception

Important: No "gritting your teeth", but mindful, progressively structured training - with the aim of feeling safe in your own body again.

Occupational therapy - making everyday life livable again

Fibromyalgia often affects all areas of life: Personal hygiene, household, family, work, partnership. This is where occupational therapy comes in: not symptom-centered, but solution-oriented and close to everyday life.

Occupational therapy focus:

• Energy management & pacing: How can I manage my energy sensibly without overexerting myself or taking it easy?

• Activity training: strategies for taking an active part in life again - despite exhaustion and pain

• Environmental adaptation: ergonomic aids, stress prevention, daily structure

• Strengthening action competence: through educational discussions, creative work and solution-focused goal work

Particularly effective: the combination of activity, everyday orientation and therapeutic coaching - individually tailored to the reality of the patient's life.

Biopsychosocial perspective - focusing on the individual

At Hockenholz, we combine the latest pain research findings with a humanistic, resource-oriented approach in our therapy and training concepts. We understand fibromyalgia not as a purely medical condition, but as a multifactorial process - with biological, psychological and social dimensions.

We offer:

• Therapy for those affected (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, medical yoga, pain coaching)

• Further training for therapists on chronic pain, fatigue, self-regulation and somatopsychological complaints

• Online formats and classroom courses - practical, scientifically sound and experience-based

Conclusion: Living with fibromyalgia - and still being alive

Fibromyalgia is not a sign of weakness. It is an expression of disturbed stimulus processing, often exacerbated by years of overwork, unrecognized stressors and a lack of understanding.
Physiotherapy and occupational therapy can have a big impact here - if they are individualized, mindful and holistic.

Are you a therapist and would like to learn how to provide targeted support for people with fibromyalgia?
Then take a look at our training courses on pain, fatigue and psychosomatic therapy at www.hockenholz.com/weiterbildungen.