Fibromyalgia and Physical Therapy: The Latest Research

Aquatic Therapy and Fibromyalgia: The Latest Research

As many people know, physical therapy can often be a nice addition to treatment for fibromyalgia.  In our last article we introduced the benefits of aquatic therapy for treatment of fibromyalgia. You don't have to take our word for it. At The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy we try to stay on top of the latest research regarding the best treatments for our patients.  So what does the latest research say about Aquatic Therapy and Fibromyalgia?

Aquatic Therapy and Fibromyalgia

Aquatic therapy helps to decrease pain in patients with fibromyalgia.  In the Journal of Rheumatology International, Deniz Evcik, M.D. concludes from his study that Aquatic Therapy has a better effect on long-term pain management than a home-based exercise program in patients with fibromyalgia.  There were two groups in this study.  One group was given aquatic therapy.  The other was given a home exercise program.  Both programs lasted for 5 weeks.  The average of reduction in pain scores was 40% in Group 1 and 21% in Group 2.  However, this was still significant at week 24 only in the aquatic therapy group.  Only aquatic therapy seemed to have long-term effects.

Aquatic therapy can also help fibromyalgia patients maintain an exercise program of some kind even 12 months after completing therapy.  In a randomized controlled trial, Munugia-Izquierdo of the University Pablo de Olavide, in Seville, Spain, showed that a 16-week aquatic training program helps fibromyalgia patients in two ways.  Aquatic therapy in a warm pool can improve most of the symptoms of fibromyalgia and can cause a high adherence to exercise in unfit women with heightened fibromyalgia symptoms.  In short, a good aquatic therapy program not only helps decrease pain, it can help people continue to exercise even after they are done with therapy.

How long do the positive effects of aquatic therapy last?  In a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, Dr. Kaisa Mannerkorpi, of the Department of Physical Therapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, in Sweden, says that a six month aquatic therapy program showed positive effects even after 2 years.  He found that improvements in pain, fatigue, physical function, and social function were still found 24 months after completing the treatment program in the fibromyalgia patients.

Physical Therapy and Fibromyalgia: Aquatic Therapy is Best

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can greatly affect your ability to function. Many fibromyalgia patients are finding that with the help of aquatic therapy their pain is decreased and they are better able to function.



If you are suffering from the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia maybe it's time for you to try aquatic therapy.  The Rehab Center - Physical Therapy has two convenient locations with aquatic therapy pools in Ephrata and New Holland.  Give us a call.

Ephrata phone number is 717-738-7979.

New Holland phone number is 717-351-2468.

If you have fibromyalgia, ask your doctor if aquatic therapy is right for you to help treat the pain and fatigue associated with your fibromyagia.