Occupational Therapy & Fibrolmyalgia

12th May marked Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, tenderness, fatigue and also often causes cognitive difficulties, sleep disturbances, mood disorders, and limitations in physical functioning. These symptoms can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, including their ability to engage in meaningful activities and maintain independence.

Occupational Therapists play an important role in addressing the functional challenges faced by individuals with Fibromyalgia. Through a comprehensive assessment, they identify the specific difficulties faced by the patient and develop personalised interventions to address these challenges, which may include:

Activity Modification: assist individuals to identify and modify activities to manage symptoms, conserve energy, and prevent excessive pain and fatigue.

Pain Management: education & skills training in strategies to allow the patient to self manage pain & discomfort.

Sleep Management: assist individuals in developing healthy sleep habits and optimizing their sleep environment to promote restful sleep and enhance energy levels.

Cognitive Strategies: provision of cognitive rehabilitation strategies and compensatory techniques to help manage cognitive challenges such as memory, attention, and executive functioning difficulties.

Adaptive Equipment and Assistive Technology: recommend and provide adaptive equipment and assistive technology to compensate for physical limitations, promoting independence and reducing strain.