Living Aids
Fibromyalgia Network ran a series of articles on Self Help Aids, all of which were recommended to us by fibromyalgia patients. A sampling of those recommendations are listed here along with links to sites with more information if you're interested.
You
spend roughly one-third of your time in bed, making it an important place
to start when assessing your level of comfort. The Cuddle Ewe underquilt goes
between your mattress and bottom sheet to add a whole new dimension of comfort
to your bed. They are filled with a thick layer of natural wool batting to
make them extremely soft and inviting. (866) FMS-WOOL.
Elasto-Gel Hot/Cold Therapy Products
Southwest
Technologies produces a complete line of Elasto-Gel wraps that can target
warmth or coolness to virtually any sore area on your body (such as your lower
back, wrists, shoulder, foot/ankle, or neck).
One fibromyalgia patient wrote us saying, "I especially recommend the Elasto-Gel Cervical Collar. I've had mine for ten years. The gel is not wrapped in plastic so it doesn't get over-cooked and hard in the microwave or oven. It's beautifully contoured and soft. I even wear it to sleep and the next morning it still feels warm and comforting." The wrap can also be placed in the freezer for cooling if a cold wrap is more soothing to you.
The
least expensive lumbar support wedge that can be strapped around a chair as
needed, is available from OPTP for around $22.50 (the top wedge in the picture
below). It's called the McKenzie Lumbar Roll. If you have a flat-backed chair
on which you want to use the support, OPTP also sells a flat-back support
called the McKenzie D-Section Lumbar Roll (the bottom wedge in the picture
below). They have many other items as well, so check out their website.
Because
of its unique physical properties, water provides the ideal environment for
fibromyalgia patients to exercise. You can burn up to twice the number of
calories per hour in the water as compared to similar physical activity performed
on land. Why? Because water provides greater resistance to movement. Water's
accommodating resistance not only helps to burn more calories, but it also
strengthens and tones your muscles much like lifting weights in a weight room.
In addition, the natural buoyancy of water reduces weight bearing stresses
on your body promoting greater ease of movement with less strain on bones,
joints, and connective tissue. Regardless of your current level of physical
activity, water exercise is an excellent way to improve fitness, maintain
health, and restore vitality.
Wet Vest products by HYDRO-FIT are specially designed to make exercising in the water more comfortable and effective. The Wet Vest II and Wet Vest AT provide buoyant support for suspended exercise activities. Wet Vest's patented designs incorporate flotation panels sewn into vests that contour to your body like a custom bathing suit. Made from lightweight neoprene material they come in a variety of sizes to fit every body.
