US Service Animals - Service Dog for Fibromyalgia | How They Can Help
How a service dog can help people with fibromyalgia?
A service dog is often used by people suffering from fibromyalgia. If someone is in pain from fibromyalgia and find it hard to walk, service dogs will be there to steady them when needed. They can also scan the body to see which parts are the coldest and when it is nap or bedtime they will cuddle into you on that part of the body to keep you warm.
Dogs are incredibly intelligent animals which is why they work so well as service dogs. One woman spoke about how she couldn’t get out of bed one morning because there was a pillow in the way but she was in too much pain to move it. Her service dog saw that she was having difficulty, accessed the situation and moved the pillow with the mouth out the way.
For all the common symptoms of fibromyalgia, service dogs can help make life that little bit easier. Symptoms from fatigue and muscle pain to depression, having a service dog will really improve your life. From something so little as sitting on your lap as you watch TV to finding cold spots, supporting mobility and retrieving medicines, service dogs are truly amazing.
As pain is one of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia, this can have impacts on mobility. If someone is in pain when they walk, their mobility will be decreased and impaired. As the service dogs are highly trained, they are able to adapt to there users and provide the right amount of care.
If you are suffering from fibromyalgia or know someone who is, getting a service dog is definitely recommended. They provide the best type of emotional and physical care and support and will definitely improve the user's life.
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What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes severe pain in all parts of the body. Symptoms that someone with fibromyalgia can be affected by include: fatigue, muscle stiffness, difficulty sleeping, headaches and IBS. The cause of fibromyalgia is currently unknown however it is linked to abnormal levels of specific chemicals in the brain which causes changes in the central nervous system including the brain spinal cord and nerves. It could also be passed on through genetics.
Big life events could also cause the condition to be triggered in the body. This could be caused by physical or emotional events like an injury, giving birth, operation or the death of a loved one. The condition can any age however the most common age is between 30 and 50.
There is no real treatment for fibromyalgia, however, there are a number of treatment methods that help relieve some of the symptoms. This helps to make the lives of the people living with fibromyalgia a little bit easier. Treatment can be in the form of medication to treat the pain and mental impact of the condition, talking therapies to help with the psychological implications and lifestyle changes including exercise, relaxation, and everyday routines to help lower the impact on the body. One of the most popular treatment methods is the use of a service dog.
What is a service dog?
A service dog is a dog that has been trained to provide help and support to their owner. In the US, dogs can be trained to support all kinds of disabilities from physical to mental such as diabetes, autism, and fibromyalgia. They are trained to perform specific tasks and are classed as working dogs that should not be petted by the public when they are supporting their owner. They are allowed into buildings, shops and other places that pet dogs are not allowed into so they can provide 24/7 care and support.
Most people who have pets find that their dog or cat is extremely sensitive to pain and helps to comfort them when in discomfort. They often cuddle up and lie next to their owner, particularly when they think they are in pain. Pets can be great companions, they care help and support you as well as being a great security guard for your house. This is particularly handy for older people who may live alone, a dog will bark if there is something suspicious and could ward off a burglar. They are great for anyone living alone as they can keep them company and give them purpose and routine to their day.
