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Real members of MyFibroTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.
October 28, 2025
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Answer Summary

Members enthusiastically responded to someone asking how to strengthen arm muscles after struggling to carry bags, with the overwhelming... Read more

Members enthusiastically responded to someone asking how to strengthen arm muscles after struggling to carry bags, with the overwhelming consensus being to start small with light weights, resistance bands, or even food cans, and progress gradually while listening to your body. Several members shared practical approaches that worked for them, including wall pushups, water aerobics, isometric exercises, tai chi for kinetic chain strengthening, and seeking guidance from a physical therapist or personal trainer to create a safe, personalized routine. A recurring theme was the importance of engaging the whole body through compound movements rather than isolating muscles, starting slowly to avoid injury, and maintaining consistency even on difficult days.

A MyFibroTeam Member

I like movements that incorporate the whole body, as no muscles are meant to work in isolation.

When you lift bags your arms shouldn’t and won’t be carrying all the load. Your abs will automatically engage as well as others.

Wall push ups like Kathy mentioned are wonderful, as they engage the full body!

It’s the only way I’ve been able to stop constantly injuring myself while exercising. By incorporating compound functional movements.

Say I was doing a bicept curl with a press with my right arm, I would shift my weight from my right leg to my left.
It helps to engage your obliques and other surrounding muscles.

Start small and simple, low to no weight and build as you go.

That being said, starting anywhere carefully and slow is the right place to start. 💛💪

October 28, 2025 (edited)
A MyFibroTeam Member

See a physio and get some exercises to help strengthen your arms ..I hope
it works for you .

October 29, 2025
A MyFibroTeam Member

Hi Elaina1992. From personal experience I find that the best way to strengthen muscles is with Kinetic Chain Exercises. A kinetic chain is a series of interconnected joints, muscles, and nerves in the body that work together to create and control movement. (Such as carrying bags) When one part of the chain is weak or compromised, it can negatively affect the movement, stability, and function of the entire chain, much like a single weak link in a physical chain. Having practiced Tai Chi for over 25 years, and taught it for past 15 years, it is my belief that the slow, gentle, purposeful movements of Tai Chi is the best way to do Kinetic Chain Exercise, and has to become part of your regular exercise routine. Find a local class that focuses on Tai Chi for health purposes rather than the martial arts, then start once a week to ease into it. Later go to two or three times a week if you can afford the time and have the energy. Another way of doing Kinetic Chain Exercises is aqua-jogging. This activity enables you to put your body through a full range of motion, with water resistance, but without impact. This works for me, so I hope it helps you too. 😀

October 29, 2025
A MyFibroTeam Member

Water exercise. Water aerobics, lifting light hand weights

October 28, 2025
A MyFibroTeam Member

I do isometric exercises: they are exercises using ur own body.
God bless!

October 28, 2025

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