Oregon Fibromyalgia Foundation’s Exercise Videos

Produced by Dr. Sharon Clark
3-video series
$30 for one video; $55 for two videos; $75 for all three videos
For Ordering information see http://www.myalgia.com/Videos/Videos_introduction.htm
Reviewed by April Blounts
 
The Oregon Fibromyalgia Foundation (OFF) has an excellent exercise video series specifically for individuals with fibromyalgia. The series is divided into three videotapes: stretching and relaxation, aerobic exercise, and toning and strengthening. Each of these is produced by the Foundation’s president, Dr. Sharon Clark, who is both an exercise physiologist and nurse practitioner.
 
Individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) have often heard that exercise is a necessary part of managing the disease. If you are like me, and have FM, you may feel a bit apprehensive at the idea of engaging in exercise for fear of causing yourself even more pain. There are endless forms of exercise out there. It is hard to know whom to trust, especially if you are not well informed about the types of movements that will or won’t cause you pain. The exercise series created by the OFF helps with this problem by providing a reliable source of exercise information for FM patients, and by educating FM patients on the types of movement that will not cause pain.
 
These are not your average exercise videos: you will not find intimidating women doing difficult routines or encouraging you to push yourself to the limit. The OFF videos feature real women, most with FM, who are performing simple yet effective movements in easy-to-follow exercise routines. Each movement is demonstrated by a varied group of women, many of who have additional physical challenges—arthritis, lupus, and various difficulties of the back, neck, feet, and knees—that require some adaptations in movement, yet are all exercising together. One woman has FM and difficulty with her feet.  Rather than refraining from exercising altogether, she performs each exercise while sitting. It is an eye-opening experience to see aerobic exercise effectively accomplished while in a chair!
 
The first tape centers on stretching and relaxation exercises, which are done on the floor while sitting or lying down. It is important to note that easing muscle tightness through stretching helps decrease the pain of FM.  Relaxation also aids this process. Included on this tape is a fascinating educational segment on FM pain and its treatment, presented by Dr. Robert Bennett, a respected rheumatologist and president of the International Myopain Society. Dr. Bennett discusses both trigger and tender points, with actual demonstrations of both trigger point injections and the spray and stretch method.
 
In the aerobics video, the basic activity involves a simple walking/marching technique. Different variations of this are demonstrated throughout the exercise.  Here again, adaptive modifications are demonstrated with each movement for individuals who are advanced exercisers or have additional physical difficulties. Dr. Bennett then presents another small educational segment concerning fibromyalgia and research. Although the video was produced in the year 2000, the information is helpful for anyone seeking to enrich his or her general knowledge of FM.
 
The third video focuses on toning and strengthening the muscles. Overall instruction is very easy to follow and involves simple movements. In this session, each exercise is accompanied by a graphic explaining which muscle is being used. The instructor for this segment, Doria Raetz, gives clear, helpful instruction, and also offers helpful ergonomic techniques for those who may have trouble lowering to and rising from the floor. This is helpful for exercise and everyday life as well.
 
These videos do not require any special equipment, except perhaps a Thera-Band, a flat, wide elastic band used in the stretching video. I have found that elastic tubing works just as well and can be found anywhere that basic sporting goods are sold. You may also like to have an exercise mat for extra cushioning during the stretching and toning videos. 
 
All in all, I give these videos a big thumbs-up and consider them essential for any fibromyalgia sufferer. We need exercise to help us maintain our muscle tone and strength, as well as our flexibility and endurance. Learning to exercise properly with fibromyalgia is vital to successful management of the disease. (As a bonus, these exercises can be done in the comfort of your own home with a minimum of space.) These videos reflect a key principle of the Oregon Fibromyalgia Foundation: You CAN take care of your health through exercise and not have to suffer more pain as a consequence.
 
April Blounts lives in Southern California and enjoys sightseeing, going to the beach, and taking walks with her chubby Chihuahua, Ernie. More often than not, you will find April with her nose buried in a book. Feel free to say a hello if you see her!