Understanding Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is May 12, so we are helping raise awareness about this misunderstood condition.

Fibromyalgia isn't all in your head - it's a very complex condition involving your nervous system, immune system and hormonal systems.

The good news is that it is possible to 'calm' these systems so you can live well despite your diagnosis.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Its a real condition whose symptoms can include fatigue, widespread pain, poor sleep, increased sensitivity and cognitive struggles. There is often no sign of tissue damage and no reported injury.

What's happening in the body?

The affected nervous, immune and hormonal systems are extra active doing their usual protective job. This makes the body more reactive, placing more demand on the body and pain often results.

These systems become more alert than usual meaning that stimuli that would not normally be a problem can affect your body. Movement, emotion, sound and touch can all affect your body more than they normally would.

If there is no damage to my body, why do I get pain?

The type of pain that we are talking about is nociplastic pain. It is caused by how the nervous system processes sensory input and any potential threats to the body. Individuals with nociplastic pain may be more sensitive to touch, pressure, temperature, and other stimuli. 

How do we calm the system?

• Graded pacing of activity

• Healthy sleep habits

• Movement

• Education

can all help modulate the sensitivity of our protective symptoms

Can I live a normal life?

Many people live well with Fibromyalgia. In fact, many people improve. There is definitely hope and science backed management can help.

Our physios can help you with a graded activity program and working out how much activity and movement is right for you. We will also help educate you about Fribromyalgia and how best to manage it.