Learning you have a chronic health condition is a life-altering experience. If you have struggled for years with undiagnosed symptoms, having a name for what is affecting you can be a welcome relief. On the other hand, if it comes out of the blue, you may be shocked or disbelieving. 

Regardless of how your diagnosis affects you, it is important to remember that it doesn't define you and your actions going forward. You do not have to let Fibromyalgia and chronic pain rule your life. Instead, learn how to manage them with these tips. 

Work With Your Healthcare Team

Your doctors, nurses and any other providers that make up your healthcare team are there to help you. They want you to feel as healthy and pain-free as possible, and they rely on you to be honest about how you feel. This includes when you are feeling overwhelmed or particularly stressed. 

For starters, these people are excellent resources for information about your condition. This is important because you now have to become an expert on it yourself. Ask questions (and for clarification of any answers when needed) about what you can do to maximize your health. While everyone will have a unique healthcare team, yours may include:

• Doctors, nurse practitioners, and nurses
• Massage therapists
• Acupuncturists
• A psychologist or licensed therapist

Get Started With Safe, Gentle Exercise

Many people who live with chronic pain are able to exercise. In fact, a regular exercise routine may help alleviate some forms of pain as your muscles and joints become stronger. You'll want to clear any activities with your doctor first, but things like gentle row variations with dumbbells, low-impact cardio and tai chi are often permissible. 

Getting into shape is relative. If you start from a very low fitness level, every small increase in activity may be a huge achievement. On the other hand, you may already be very active and just want to preserve that, in which case sustained activities and abilities may be enough.

The important thing to remember when it comes to exercising with a condition like Fibromyalgia is that you will have good days and bad days, and both are perfectly normal. Listen to your body and resist the urge to push through the pain to reach a fitness goal; it is rarely worth it. 

Use Mindfulness To Listen to Your Body

Even if your healthcare professionals are the experts about your condition, you are the ultimate expert on what is going on inside your body. The more aware you are of little changes, the better prepared you will be to fill this role. One way to increase self-awareness is through practicing mindfulness. 

Contrary to what many people believe, mindfulness is relatively easy to practice. it is also incredibly accessible, meaning virtually anyone can do it, anywhere and at any time. Breath meditation is one of the most common ways to begin a mindfulness practice. There are several examples online that help walk you through the process. Other methods, such as journaling or visualization exercises, are also very effective. 

Be Open to Complementary Therapies

Western medicine offers tremendous hope for Fibromyalgia patients, but it often falls short in alleviating symptoms of the condition. However, many patients have found success with alternative therapies, such as massage and acupuncture. Be open to exploring these options if they will help provide some relief from pain and fatigue. 

A diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be life-altering; however, it doesn't mean that life is over. You can successfully manage the condition and its associated symptoms by working with your healthcare team, being open to alternative therapies, and staying physically active.

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