2 Minutes to Pain Relief

According to an article in the September 2010 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine, exercise is proven to help fibromyalgia, but to women with serious fatigue and pain, working out for 30 to 45 consecutive minutes a day can seem as impossible as climbing Mount Everest.  Now, John Hopkins researchers have found that more doable short bursts of movement during the everyday activity like the few listed below can boost overall activity and lessen pain significantly without a formal workout:

1. Taking the stairs

2. Walking from an outer parking lot

3. Pulling a few weeds

4. Cleaning the house for 30 minutes

5. Walking the mall or walking your dog.

By adding bits of movement whenever they could, patients upped their daily step count 54 percent within three months and lessened their pain 35 percent more than others getting general fibromyalgia education.  "Even on your bad days, try to do something.  Just tow or three minutes can help," says study author Kevin Fontaine, Ph.D.  Start with a short walk, one step at a time. Have your children or grandchildren join in and make it fun.