The BodyBridge has been used for fibromyalgia as an aid for stretching, stress reduction, pain reduction and meditation. Read Testimonials from Fibromyalgia sufferers.
Since the BodyBridge decompresses the spine, pressure is taken off the muscles which run along both sides of the spinal cord. What this does for fibromyalgia is to release tension and bring relief to the trigger points in the muscle groups of the neck, shoulders and low back. The BodyBridge also helps correct posture, increase flexibility and restore balance.
Recently, researchers at the University of Missouri-Columbia conducted a study and concluded that those people who exercised regularly and used positive thoughts and feelings to replace negative ones (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) experienced less pain and fatigue than those who took drugs. Activities such as swimming, walking (outdoors or on a treadmill) or riding a bicycle were effective for fibromyalgia.
Many people use the BodyBridge to loosen and stretch their body before exercising (warm-up) or after exercising to release any built up tension or stress (cool-down). We call lying passively on the BodyBridge, "unexercising". That is, you do nothing except relax and allow gravity to gently decompress the spine. This natural method is effective for quieting both the mind and the body. People have told us they play music or use environmental sounds in the background while unexercising on the BodyBridge. Using it directly before bedtime also is an effective way to get a sound sleep.
Another recommendation by experts is a daily routine of meditation or relaxation. Meditation may be just 5 minutes of quiet time twice daily. This may be done sitting, laying flat on a floor or on a Bodybridge. Simple breathing exercises also are helpful for quieting the mind. Taking a relaxation class through the park and reaction center in your local area would also be beneficial.
One of the keys to pain management/relaxation is altering brainwave activity. There are four types of brain waves: Beta, Alpha, Theta and Delta.
Beta is our normal waking state, listening to the radio, housework, driving the children to school, shopping etc. Alpha is similar to being in the country sitting next to a stream, seeing a good movie at the theatre and forgetting where you parked your car, how you feel after a soothing massage, listening to your favorite relaxing music etc. Theta is the dream state when you are just drifting off and not knowing whether you are dreaming or not. It's a deep twilight state and the place where you go in and out of our dreams. We may or may not remember what occurs in this state. Delta is the deepest state where we are sleep soundly. When you relax, either with music, breathing exercises, meditating, reflection through prayer, visualization etc. you are altering brainwaves and producing a state of relaxation in the Alpha state. This is not only beneficial for your mind but more so for tension and pain in your body. There is a rule in the martial arts: the mind moves the body. What this means is that all movement begins in the mind with an intention and is followed by our body moving to that specific thought. The same is true with relaxation and stress reduction. By using relaxation techniques you are telling the body to slow down with a specific technique which is created in your mind. Creating an Alpha state in your mind directly effects your body. The results are felt in your body as a release of tension, stress or pain. The importance of these techniques is that they work! The advantage of the BodyBridge is the Alpha state can be achieved by relaxing on the BodyBridge's curved arch and doing simple relaxation exercises.
The following is a very good visualization exercise we have recommended:Step 1 Think of someone you love (can even be a pet or special place from childhood). Generate "authentic feelings of caring and appreciation" as you recreate this person, pet or place (note: give yourself sufficient time to create this picture). Make the picture appear in your mind's eye-see, feel and hear yourself there-so much so that it brings a smile to your face! Make believe as a child by using the great gift of your imagination to make this picture as realistic as possible.
Step 2 Once you have this picture in your mind and you are feeling warm and pleasant feelings, place the image in your mind over the area of your heart (you can even place your hand on your heart to guide the image) and hold it there. Just focus the image in your heart for 5 minutes.
Step 3 Become aware of the moment your tension and stress start to release and make a mental note of the technique's effectiveness. Feel the calm in your body.
Step 4 Practice bringing up the same image at various times in the day. It's important to find an image that works for you. This way it becomes easier and easier for you to recreate the image. Use the image when you are not under stress so you can gain the confidence that this technique works.
Step 5 Once you are confident with the image use it mentally when you are under stress or feel tension building.
Step 6 Also remember to use this visualization before going to bed. Reason being, when you are creating feelings of caring and appreciation within your self you are really creating the feeling of love. And love is a powerful drug to calm the body, mind, soul, and also to ease pain.
Step 7 Once this simple exercise is learned you will find you can do it in a very short amount of time (one minute). Use it anytime to reduce stress or prior to using the BodyBridge.
Testimonials" My fibromylgia has gotten better because of the passive stretching. It really has helped my pain! Thank you so much for inventing the BodyBridge!" J. Meyers
" The BodyBridge is my best buddy these days. I use it for my fibromylgia daily and lie on it for 15 minutes. When I can't sleep at night I get up and lay on the BodyBridge.It helps me get another 4 hours of sound sleep." C. Packingham
" I use mine before I go to bed, although I could sleep on it all night. Gradually, as I lay on it, the pain in my back disappears.The BodyBridge has helped my fibromylgia." B. Haverstock