Fibromyalgia in North Charleston, SC

A Holistic Approach to Treating Fibromyalgia’s Complex Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is often misunderstood, with its wide-ranging symptoms being incorrectly attributed to other conditions. But it is a very real disorder caused by abnormalities in how the brain and spinal cord process painful stimuli.

The hallmark fibromyalgia symptoms include:

• Chronic widespread pain and tenderness
• Fatigue, sleep issues and “fibro fog”
• Sensitivity to smells, bright lights, loud noises
• Numbness/tingling sensations
• Anxiety, depression
• Headaches, memory issues
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

While the underlying mechanisms behind fibromyalgia are still being researched, certain triggers are known to exacerbate symptoms, like stress, injury, illness, weather changes, and poor sleep habits.

Our fibromyalgia physical therapy services utilize therapeutic exercises, hands-on joint and soft tissue mobilization, and pain neuroscience education. This multimodal approach addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of fibromyalgia for more effective management.
By getting to the root causes behind your symptoms and equipping you with coping strategies and self-care techniques, our goal is to help you reclaim functionality, restore wellbeing, and start feeling like yourself again.

Customized Fibromyalgia in North Charleston, SC for You!

No two cases of fibromyalgia are exactly alike. The location and intensity of pain can vary greatly, as can the impact on energy levels and emotional health. At Premier Physical Therapy, your fibromyalgia PT starts by thoroughly evaluating your condition to identify personalized treatment goals. Custom sessions target the areas causing you the most impairment and integrating relevant pain coping strategies.

We create an individualized program catered to your lifestyle that may involve:

• Gentle Strengthening Exercises – Improve flexibility, balance, core stability and posture to alleviate strain.
• Manual Therapy – Hands-on myofascial release, joint mobilization, trigger point therapy.
• Pain Neuroscience Education – Understand how the nervous system processes painful stimuli differently with fibromyalgia.
• Relaxation and Stress Management Training – Alternate pain coping mechanisms like diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness, imagery.
• Ergonomic and Postural Retraining – Modify movements and sleep positions aggravating symptoms.
• Development of Home Exercise Programs – Integrate pain and fatigue management strategies into your daily routine.

Your PT will continually monitor progress and adjust approaches as needed to help you function at your best.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Fibromyalgia Physical Therapy

What are usually the first signs of fibromyalgia?
While fibromyalgia symptoms can occur suddenly after an illness or injury, they often come on gradually over time. Many patients recall first noticing deep muscle aches and sore areas that wouldn’t go away, increased sensitivity to touch, persistent fatigue regardless of sleep duration, or difficulty concentrating (fibro fog).

Does fibromyalgia ever go away?
There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia. However, with consistent utilization of pain management strategies and lifestyle modifications, patients can achieve long periods with minimal symptoms. Committing to regular physical therapy and continuing exercises at home are key to keeping fibromyalgia under control.

What does it feel like to live with fibromyalgia?
The widespread pain and fatigue from fibromyalgia can make even simple daily activities seem monumental, severely impacting quality of life. Symptoms fluctuate daily, which makes it difficult to predict good days from bad. The uncertainty and perceived loss of control can negatively impact emotional health. Treatment focuses both on physical relief and equipping people with effective coping strategies.

What can trigger fibromyalgia?
Stress is one of the biggest culprits for flare-ups of symptoms. Other common triggers include: lack of restorative sleep, injuries/falls, illnesses, exposure to temperature extremes or allergens, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, infections requiring antibiotics, and hormonal changes. Identifying individual triggers and making protective lifestyle modifications are key in management.

Meet Your North Charleston, SC Fibromyalgia Specialty Team

Our team has advanced training in fibromyalgia and routinely educate themselves on the latest fibromyalgia treatment techniques.

Dr. Patrick Colpitt, PT, AIB-VRC
With years of experience, Dr. Patrick Colpitt’s passion is empowering those with fibromyalgia. They utilize a patient-centered approach focused on equipping people with coping strategies tailored to enhance daily function. Dr. Patrick Colpitt emphasizes self-care education so patients can take control.

About The Author

Jill Boorman, a Clinic Owner, Licensed Physical Therapist, empowers patients to unlock their full potential in McKenzie Method, Mulligan Concept, and Physical Therapy. Years of experience fuels their passion for helping individuals reclaim vibrant lives. At Premier Physical Therapy in North Charleston, SC, Jill Boorman combines innovative techniques with personalized care, tackling a broad spectrum of physical challenges.