Fibromyalgia can be a debilitating condition where pain of the nerves and muscles can make any movement nearly impossible. The pain signals processed by the brain are amplified in patients with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia attacks can happen at any time, so why does it seem like fibromyalgia symptoms seem worse at night?
The link between sleep and fibromyalgia
Unfortunately, one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia is difficulty falling asleep and disturbances with normal sleep patterns. Because getting a restful night’s sleep can be a challenge with fibromyalgia, it can seem like symptoms flare up more at night, especially when you may just be lying in bed with nothing else to focus on but the discomfort.
Getting better sleep with fibromyalgia
While fibromyalgia symptoms are not necessarily worse at night, getting restful sleep is vital to managing fibromyalgia pain. There are some things that you can do to help sleep better with fibromyalgia including:
- Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
- Taking time to wind down at night by meditating or reading a book
- Having a power nap (15 to 30 minutes maximum) in the afternoon
- Turning off the TV and putting down the mobile devices and laptops
- Avoiding excessive eating and drinking
- Investing in a comfortable bed
- Keeping the bedroom as dark as possible
If you have tried several of these methods without success for restful sleep, do not be afraid to seek help. A sleep study can help identify what is keeping you awake and if a related condition, such as restless leg syndrome, could be keeping you up.
Fibromyalgia treatment with physical therapy
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but the symptoms can be managed with physical therapy. One of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia is low-impact cardiovascular exercise. The physical therapist will perform a thorough evaluation at your first appointment and develop a customized treatment program based on your abilities and needs. Contact us today to set up your initial appointment and discuss your treatment options.