Help For Persons With Fibromyalgia

ROCKY HILL — Friday, May 12, is “Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.” Fibromyalgia is the second most common arthritis-related condition, affecting an estimated 3.7 million Americans, mostly women. It causes widespread muscle pain, sleeplessness, fatigue, and often varies according to time of day, activity level, weather, sleep patterns, and stress. Results of an examination of the muscles of people with fibromyalgia reveal ‘‘ender points” that are painful when pressed.

Fibromyalgia can be managed by medication, exercise, and stress management, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Medications that promote deeper sleep and relax muscles help many people with fibromyalgia. Exercise programs that stretch muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness can provide an improved sense of well-being, increased endurance, and decreased pain. Relaxation techniques to ease muscle tension and anxiety help many people cope and gain control over their pain.

The Arthritis Foundation offers help and hope for those living with fibromyalgia. The foundation offers several support groups, a telephone support line, self-help courses, and PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise), an Arthritis Foundation land-based exercise class. For a free brochure on fibromyalgia or to find a location of a fibromyalgia support group or PACE program, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 800/541-8350 or online at SNEngland@arthritis.org.