Fibromyalgia: Understanding Trigger Points and How to Cope

• Strength exercises lower pain and helps with depressions. Don’t lift a heavy barbell just take your muscles through a range of movement. Train with a trainer at a fitness center if you need. Use handheld weights, elastic bands, or straight training machine. Again, if you hurt, stop.
• Isometric chest presses are useful if regular strength training hurts too much. Tense your muscles without any visible movements. Hold your arms at chest height and press your palms together as hard as you can. Hold for 5 seconds, then rest for 5 seconds. Do these isometric training techniques at least five times. Slowly work up to holding the press for at least 10 seconds at a time. If this is too painful, ask a trainer for other isometric exercises you might be able to do.
• Isometric shoulder extensions are great if you have fibromyalgia. Stand with your back next to a wall and keep your arms at your sides. Push your arms back toward the wall and hold for 5 seconds. Rest and repeat. The movements might hurt, but they are doing you a great deal of good.