Namaste Kenc,
Yes, I do movement and exercise weekly, sometimes daily depending on my time, energy, and mood. I have lumbosacral spondylosis with radiculopathy, fibromyalgia, and hyper-mobility. I am 58 years young and I live on my own, have had adaptations made to my house so I can live independently, and use a walking aid.

My pain is unapologetic and drains my soul sometimes. It’s constant, and I experience other symptoms like muscle spasms, pins and needles, muscle weakness in my left leg due to nerve damage, brain fog, chronic fatigue, migraines, and IBS. The list is endless.

If I don’t exercise, my chronic pain worsens. I’ve gone through a plan with my physio and also practice Yin yoga and Qi Gong, which I do slowly and gently at home. If I didn’t exercise, I would be in a wheelchair and unable to walk. Exercise strengthens my bones and muscles, reduces my pain sensitivity, lifts my mood, keeps me slim, and makes me flexible, as the fibromyalgia causes stiffness in my muscles. It’s a distraction from the pain and other symptoms, and my mental health would be in a poor state if I didn’t exercise.

Yes, I do feel pain if I overdo it, so I ice it or have Epsom salt baths. The magnesium in the Epsom salt soothes my muscles and reduces the pain. However, if I don’t exercise, my muscles will waste, I’ll put on weight, my pain will be worse, I’ll get depressed, and I’ll become a hermit and not leave my house. So, I choose to live my life and manage this debilitating pain and other horrible symptoms. Plus, I do hobbies such as art, reading, and spending time with my young grandchildren, who are my medicine.

I conquered my depression with two great psychotherapists over the past ten years, who gave me the support and tools to be able to process and manage my feelings and thoughts, and I use exercise and meditation to stay mentally healthy, also eating nutritious foods.

Have you spoken to your physio or healthcare provider to get support on how you start to exercise safely and tailor a plan for you?
Hope this helps, wishing you all the best.

Yes, I tried physical therapy at more than one place and PT is one reason why I now have lower back pain. Usage of ankle weights caused severe strain and I am now hoping that acupuncture, massage and diet will aid me in having less pain. The second PT place made me feel like I was a slab of meat on a table--and, they too, overworked me. Be careful! Perhaps there are some good places out there but more often they do not seem to provide good care or even moral support.