Weariness, anxiety, diffuse pain, and cognitive issues—fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition affecting approximately 1.7 million people in France.
This invisible illness presents numerous symptoms, including exhaustion, anxiety, generalized pain, and cognitive problems.
Recognized as a pathology by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990, there is currently no approved medication specifically for its treatment.
The medications that are prescribed are primarily intended for other conditions and serve as secondary measures. This includes some antidepressants and anti-epileptic medications with analgesic properties.
“A combination of multiple approaches is the most effective treatment,” emphasizes Dr. Caroline Maindet, a pain specialist at Grenoble University Hospital (Isère). These approaches include electrical neuromodulation of painful areas, spa treatments, psychological support, and therapeutic education. Ultimately, she says, “movement is the key.”
According to a 2020 Inserm expert study, adapted physical activity should be the cornerstone of fibromyalgia treatment. However, individuals with chronic pain often lead sedentary lifestyles, which exacerbates their discomfort and makes movement more difficult.
Breaking this vicious cycle and encouraging physical activity is crucial. To achieve this, physical activity must be gradual, gentle, and guided by a qualified professional experienced in exercise reconditioning, such as a sports coach or physiotherapist.
The goal is not to engage in strenuous activities like sprinting laps around a stadium but to carefully and patiently re-engage the body, considering each individual’s strengths and limitations.
