Fibromyalgia and Yoga: Yoga Can Help You Put Fibro in Its Place

If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, as I do, you have probably been told to do Yoga. However, there are some things you should know before you start a Yoga program, and you will regain a connection to your body as you go along in your Yoga program.

Naturally, you should check with your doctor before starting any exercise regimen, but for fibro sufferers it is all the more imperative. You must verify with your doctor if you have back, neck, or joint issues. Whether you have issues with a particular body part or not, you should start off slowly, with gentle stretching, rather than diving into an advanced yoga routine.

I do not know if doctors recommend this or not, but a yoga instructor told me something that seemed like common sense once she said it- but that I had never considered before. The best course of action, if you can afford it or find a class in your area, is to attend a few yoga classes, so that you can discuss with an expert what your particular needs and expectations are. They can then guide you to positions that will help you avoid hurting your problem areas, give you gentle stretches for the areas that need to open up more, and help you with overall strengthening and toning. They can also guide you through the positions to make sure you're doing each one properly, and tell you which stretches you absolutely should avoid, in the event that you can't continue classes, and elect to get a DVD or VHS tape for home use.

So, let's say you're a fibro sufferer like me, with lower back pain, weak shoulders, and weak wrists. Which positions should you avoid?

Well- surprisingly enough, I've been told to avoid the "wheel" - otherwise known as the backbend- at all costs. It puts too much pressure on the wrists, and has no noticeable benefits for the back. It also may be problematic for my shoulders, as it puts a lot of pressure on the ball joint- and I've had dislocations in the past. I've actually been advised to avoid a lot of positions that put pressure on the shoulder ball joint until I strengthen those muscles considerably.