Treating fibromyalgia with physical therapy in Kentwood, MI

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain and fatigue to develop in various parts of your body. It’s difficult to treat because there is no cure and its causes are unknown. There are different triggers that are known to trigger fibromyalgia pain, so many treatments focus on eliminating these triggers.

Treatments for fibromyalgia vary depending on its severity and your known triggers. Many people with fibromyalgia are able to treat it with physical therapy.

How physical therapists treat fibromyalgia

At Advent Physical Therapy in Kentwood, Michigan, our physical therapists are experienced in identifying and treating the potential triggers of fibromyalgia pain. Treatments are personalized to the needs of each person, but you can typically expect your treatment to include: 

• Stretches and exercises — Fibromyalgia often causes or is even triggered by tension in the muscles. Physical therapists can guide you through stretches and exercises to reduce this tension and help prevent weak and stiff muscles from triggering for fibromyalgia pain.
• Manual therapy — Physical therapists can use hands-on techniques for improving blood flow to the soft tissue and helping to relax your muscles. This helps reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
• Electrical stimulation — Electrical stimulation causes the muscles to contract and release. This helps release tension from the muscles to reduce and prevent pain. Physical therapists may use this treatment if they determine other treatments are not as effective for specific muscle groups depending on your condition.
• Relaxation techniques — Not all triggers of fibromyalgia are identifiable, which means fibromyalgia pain can still occur despite treatment. However, physical therapists can guide you through relaxation techniques to help you manage the pain and get through flare-ups. 

Visit Advent Physical Therapy in Kentwood, MI, for fibromyalgia treatment

Medical professionals are still trying to understand what causes fibromyalgia so that we might one day have a cure for it. For now, though, treating its trigger points and symptoms is your best option. At Advent Physical Therapy in Kentwood, our team is experienced in developing treatments for fibromyalgia pain. Contact our team today for more information about fibromyalgia treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.