Fibromyalgia: Beyond the Pain

"No pain, no gain." It’s an expression that can be found on everything, from coffee cups to t-shirts. It’s often used as a mantra in gym classes or by coaches who are trying to motivate people to push through their pain to do those extra reps or run that extra lap. But, is it really possible to push through the pain? Especially with a chronic illness?

That’s a really tough question to answer but, studies have shown that the brain is a powerful tool when it comes to dealing with pain. This is especially true for fibromyalgia patients who deal with chronic pain on a daily basis. Even with pain medication and other treatments, such as gentle massages or hot tub therapies, pain is a daily reminder that they are suffering from a disorder, and one that is not going away anytime soon.

There are a number of ways for those with fibromyalgia to push through their pain and it really comes down to a personal pain management plan. In other words, the need to figure out what tools work best when it comes to dealing with pain and the ability to push through it.  

Here are some of the more common tactics that are used when it comes to putting mind over matter.

Not letting pain become a definition

Fibromyalgia patients come from all walks of life. The disease does not discriminate against age or race. Although it is more popular among women, it does affect men as well.  The pain that comes with the disease can, at times, be debilitating and it doesn’t matter who it is, or where they're from, when that pain hits, it can easily take over someone’s life. When this happens, fibromyalgia pain can almost define who you are.

To prevent pain from taking over who you are, it’s important to maintain some normalcy. It’s not going to be easy, so you would need to be properly prepared. And, this is especially true when that activity could lead to a flare-up.

In other words, if a day at the mall shopping with friends is a much-loved activity, there is no need to give it up.  Plan for the outcome and allow the body more recovery time.  Make sure to take lots of breaks and bring along friends who know what is going on to help carry the shopping bags. Also, remember that pain doesn’t define a person, who they are and what they love does.

Read on for more ways to push through the severe pain associated with fibromyalgia.