Fibromyalgia Blog
Fibromyalgia and Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
When it comes to fibromyalgia, it can be difficult to find effective solutions. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is one method that is becoming popular since
6 August 2024
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Living with chronic pain or hypermobility often feels like an endless battle, filled with daily obstacles.
At The Fibro Guy, we believe that rehab towards better health and well-being, shouldn’t have to feel the same way. That’s why we use a person-centered framework through movement therapy, education, and using what we call BPS bubbles. Working this way has helped hundreds of our clients around the world, improve their health, feel more empowered, and get back to doing the things that they love the most.
With unlimited support both inside and outside of your sessions, as well as no time limits on your program, you’ll have all the time and space with us to truly focus on your health.
For our clients who have chronic hypermobility:
Many approaches to hypermobile rehab focus on building muscle tissue around joints to stabilise them. However, this often leaves out a large part to the puzzle Read More To build muscle tissue, you need to overload the tissue with sufficient weight to break down and create new muscle tissue. But with unstable joints, you’re not able to use that amount of weight, and it can potentially cause injuries, as many people with hypermobility often find. People who go this route often end up with superficial strength, strong on the outside but lacking any fundamental stability. It’s like firing a rocket launcher from a rowing boat – there’s power, but no real foundation. Additionally, even with prime testosterone levels, the average male can only put on around 8-10 lbs of muscle tissue per year, body-wide and for biological females, that figure is even less. So then, why do some people with hypermobility, who do have large amounts of musculature, still dislocate? Well, it’s because muscle tissue is only one part of the equation to joint stability. Proprioception, your brains ability to know where your joints are in space and time, is the effect of many systems working together, and good stable movement is largely unconscious. Likewise, as paradigms shift, the research now shows that issues like proprioception and correct motor patterns are vitally important in helping to stabilise hypermobile joints. This is why when we work with our hypermobile clients, we look to these principals, focusing on good cortical representation of your joints, targeted proprioceptive movements, sequencing, and relearning how to use those joints, helping to predict what force is incoming and how to react to it, unconscious, effective, and stable movement.
For our clients who have chronic pain:
We take into account the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors that influence a person’s experience of pain. Read More We use a biopsychosocial approach to helping our clients and call these factors your BPS bubbles. The Biological bubble includes physical factors such as genetics, sleep, joint mechanics, medical conditions, nociceptive threshold, hormones, and more that may be contributing to a person’s pain. The Psychological bubble consists of factors such as past traumas, coping skills, beliefs, emotions, anxiety, and other psychological elements that can compound the issue. The Social bubble considers factors such as support networks, work and home environment, cultural or societal factors, and other social aspects that can impact a person’s health. While other rehab programs may often rely solely on external “catalysts,” our framework recognises that these interventions may only be effective if a person’s BPS bubbles are set up in a specific way, as current research suggests. For example, a person with chronic back pain may try various exercises, but if they have factors in their bubbles that clash with the input of exercise, such as low tissue tolerance, poor oxygenation, or potentially issues like kinesiophobia, then exercise will not help with their pain. However, this does not mean that exercise will not help another person with different BPS bubbles. BPS bubbles are the reason why treatment often works for one person but not others, and by using BPS bubbles we aim to mitigate this as much as possible. We work with you to identify the underlying contributing factors in your BPS bubbles, rather than chasing symptoms or trying various exercises or methods that may or may not align with the client’s bubbles. By addressing a person’s BPS bubbles through a combination of targeted interventions and education, our aim is to give you the tools to focus on health in the right areas.
Berrie’s journey with hypermobility hasn’t been easy, but it’s one of hope and progress. In this video, Berrie and her mother share the challenges they faced, from daily joint dislocations to being bed-bound. Through working with us, Berrie has learned how to strengthen and stabilise her body and joints, manage her symptoms, and gradually reclaim her independence, including being able to finish school, and get back to water sports.
In 2020, we first opened our programme up online, as well as in person, and it’s proven to be incredibly effective. Our transition to complete 100% online programs in 2024, builds on that success, making our services more accessible than ever before. We’ve helped clients from all over the world improve their health and reclaim their lives: all through the convenience of Zoom.
You still get the same support, programme, and no time limit, just now from the comfort of your home.
Meet Patricia, from the Netherlands, as she shares her incredible journey from being constantly in pain and unable to engage in daily activities, to now embracing an active lifestyle. After struggling for years, the program with Adam was her “last resort.” Through determination and guided support, she has built strength, learned how to manage her body, and found joy in exercise. From not being able to walk for more than 10 minutes to now enjoying an hour-long walk, Patricia has gained a new lease on life and feels empowered to take on challenges
Catherine’s Transformation: A Year of Living Fully
Catherine shares her journey from being completely wiped out by fatigue to living a life filled with activity and strength. After working through the program, she’s now walking miles daily, paddleboarding, swimming, and embracing every challenge without fear. Reflecting on how far she’s come, Catherine speaks to the emotional support and guidance she received, helping her leave behind the limitations of her past.
If you’re ready to start your journey, we’re here to guide and support you every step of the way.
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