Around the time she turned 40, Kim Tombrella realized something was very wrong, and getting worse.
Overwhelmed by constant fatigue’and pain in nearly every part of her body’just getting through the day was a chore.
‘I had absolutely no energy,? said Tombrella, an Independence Township resident.
‘I’d lie in bed for eight or 10 hours but I wasn’t getting much sleep. I just dragged myself through the day’at night, I could hardly wait to get my daughter in bed so I could go to bed, too.?
It took two years, but Tombrella finally got a proper diagnosis: fibromyalgia.
According to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA), the disorder is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 10 million Americans, says the NFA, and while it is most prevalent in women, it also occurs in men and children.
The organization advises a regular program of gentle exercise and stretching to maintain muscle tone and reduce pain and stiffness, something Tombrella learned firsthand.
‘When I was finally diagnosed with fibromyalgia, everything the doctor recommended was pharmaceutical,? she said. ‘So I went out and found an MD with a holistic approach, and began practicing yoga regularly.?
Now she wants to share what she’s learned with others suffering from fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, a related disorder.
Those who attend a Feb. 7 workshop, Tombrella said, will learn how a regular yoga practice can help bring relief.
A certified yoga instructor, Tombrella will discuss and demonstrate how use of props’like straps, foam blocks and lots of extra cushioning’along with a gentle group of poses, can combine with breathing exercises to help alleviate symptoms.
‘When I started getting sick I wasn’t able to do much exercise at all,? she said. ‘But a teacher reassured me I would be able to find a way to be comfortable. It was hard, and practicing yoga at times was uncomfortable. But I noticed my body felt less in pain when I finished, and breathing got easier.?
In addition, she said, a regular practice has helped alleviate the anxiety and stress that often accompanies any chronic illness.
‘I still have pain,? she said. ‘But I know what makes it worse, and I know what makes it better. It’s part of my life, but I’m no longer defined by it.?
As a teacher of therapeutic yoga, Tombrella also works with cancer patients, those suffering from arthritis, recovering from surgery and others with ongoing physical issues.
‘When I began yoga teacher training I did it to deepen my own practice,? she said. ‘In the middle of the training I realized I needed to honor my heart and my spirituality. I needed to share this with people.?
Although the Feb. 7 workshop is slated as a one-time event, Tombrella plans to develop an ongoing series if the event generates enough interest.