Yoga for Fibromyalgia

Contracted Fascia Causes Chronic Pain

As a yoga teacher and former neuromuscular therapist, I frequently work with people in chronic pain. A surprisingly large number of them have fibromyalgia; a condition that’s frequently misunderstood and even misdiagnosed. Also called myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), fibromyalgia can present such discomfort and pain that life’s normal activities grind to a screeching halt. What is Fibromyalgia/MPS? Visualize preparing chicken for dinner. As you remove the skin, notice that very thin, almost transparent membrane surrounding the meat. That’s fascia.

You also have fascia...and lots of it. It’s directly under your skin surrounding you from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Fascia wraps each individual muscle as well as surrounds and separates each muscle group from other muscle groups. Fascia also encapsulates every organ and gland and virtually all other structures in your body. It is literally the bag that holds your body together; but when fascia goes wrong, there’s an awful price to pay. In its natural state, fascia’s Teflon-like slippery surface allows your muscles to slip and slide, and your body moves with minimal effort. That is; except when you are injured…or chronically ill…or have been under abnormal emotional stress…or even growing older.

Fascia responds to any form of trauma by contracting. The good news about fascia contraction is that it restricts movement and protects you from exacerbating a bad condition (notwithstanding ageing; but then, that’s a topic for another time). The bad news is that when fascia stays contracted longer than necessary or contracts for “no apparent reason,” you’ll feel as if you’ve been hit by a truck. Chronically-contracted fascia causes you to feel exhausted and irritable. You’ll hate being touched. You’ll have difficulty concentrating, performing daily activities, and sleeping. The nastiest aspect of fibromyalgia/MPS is that it’s self-generating and promotes a vicious pain cycle: As fascia tightens, you’ll feel worse and your stress increases. As stress increases, fascia responds by becoming even tighter which escalates your overall discomfort and stress.

Fibromyalgia/MPS is typically treated with pain-reducing medications, and because some physicians view MPS as a psychosomatic dysfunction, it’s sometimes treated as a psychiatric disorder. Regardless of its cause, psychosomatic or not, its physical manifestation is undeniable. Chronically contracted fascia causes pain. Just as “fibromyalgia/MPS” is a catchall for many different dysfunctions, “yoga” is also a catchall name for many different modalities.

The ExTension and Recovery Yoga approach is: “As goes the fascia, goes the body; and as goes the body, goes the mind.” This approach is not based upon trying to stretch muscles, but is instead designed to restore proper functioning of fascia. Because of the interconnectedness of body and mind, releasing contracted fascia has an amazing affect upon the body/mind/spirit connection. As many of you know, I have direct experience in these matters being a 56 year-old-person with MS. As such, I know both ends of athleticism, good health, and growing older. Add to that my background in anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, and I know first hand how this particular approach to yoga plays an effective role in the management and reduction of fibromyalgia/MPS induced pain.

Article by yoga instructor Sam Dworkis, auther of Recovery Yoga and ExTension. Visit his web site at www.extensionyoga.com .

The above article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. A qualified health care professional should be consulted before beginning ExTension or Recovery Yoga, or any exercise program. Read the rest of our disclaimer and terms of use.