If you are living with fibromyalgia, you already know the pain is real.
You may experience widespread pain, overwhelming fatigue, poor sleep, brain fog and sensitivity to touch. Yet tests and scans may not always explain why you feel the way you do.
That can be incredibly frustrating.
Fibromyalgia is a recognised chronic condition. Although researchers still do not completely understand its cause, we now know that changes in the way the nervous system processes pain are an important part of the picture.
For people living with fibromyalgia in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, understanding this can provide a very different way of thinking about what their body is experiencing.
Fibromyalgia Is More Than Muscle Pain
Fibromyalgia is commonly associated with widespread pain, but it can affect much more than how your muscles feel.
People may experience:
• Widespread pain and tenderness
• Extreme fatigue
• Poor or disrupted sleep
• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
• Increased sensitivity to touch or temperature
• Headaches
• Numbness or tingling
• Anxiety or changes in mood
• Digestive symptoms
Symptoms can also change over time. Some people experience periods when their symptoms become significantly worse, often described as a flare.
Fibromyalgia and Central Sensitisation
One important area of fibromyalgia research involves central sensitisation.
Put simply, this refers to increased sensitivity within the nervous system and changes in the way pain signals are processed.
Normally, pain helps alert us to potential injury or danger.
However, in fibromyalgia, the systems involved in processing and regulating pain can become more sensitive. As a result, sensations that would normally be mildly uncomfortable may feel considerably more painful.
Australian Prescriber describes sensitisation of neural pain pathways as an important feature of fibromyalgia.
This helps explain something many people with fibromyalgia desperately want others to understand:
The pain is real even when a scan or blood test cannot show where it is coming from.
Is Fibromyalgia Only a Nervous System Condition?
No.
This is an important distinction.
Although changes in pain processing and the nervous system are involved, researchers do not currently consider fibromyalgia to have one simple cause.
Healthdirect Australia notes that several systems and functions may be involved, including the nervous system, hormones, immune system, sleep and genetics.
Therefore, I would not describe fibromyalgia as simply being caused by a dysregulated nervous system.
Instead, I prefer to look at the whole person and the different factors that may be influencing how they feel.
What About Stress?
Many people living with fibromyalgia notice that their symptoms become worse during periods of stress.
Healthdirect lists stress, poor sleep, illness and overexertion among factors that can sometimes trigger fibromyalgia flares.
However, this does not mean stress caused your fibromyalgia.
Nor does it mean fibromyalgia is psychological.
Physical and emotional stress can influence the way our bodies respond. In addition, living with chronic pain itself can be stressful.
This relationship can work in more than one direction.
That is why I believe the better question is not:
“Was my fibromyalgia caused by stress?”
Instead, ask:
“What factors seem to make my symptoms better or worse?”
What About Emotional Patterns?
Our thoughts, behaviours and emotional wellbeing can influence how we respond to chronic illness and pain.
For example, someone who constantly pushes themselves despite exhaustion may find it difficult to pace their activity.
Another person may struggle to prioritise sleep or say no when they need rest.
Others may experience anxiety, low mood or frustration after living with persistent pain for years.
These experiences matter.
However, I would never tell someone that perfectionism, people pleasing, trauma or negative beliefs caused their fibromyalgia.
Instead, these may be areas worth exploring as part of someone’s broader wellbeing when they are relevant to that individual.
Fibromyalgia Usually Needs More Than One Approach
There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia. However, treatments and self management strategies can help people manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Australian guidance supports an individualised, multimodal approach. This may include physical activity, pacing, sleep support, psychological therapies and medication where appropriate.
For me, this is important.
Fibromyalgia is complex.
Therefore, it makes sense that one approach will not necessarily provide every answer.
Where Does Spinal Flow Fit?
At Purposeful Life, Spinal Flow Technique™ is one of the complementary wellbeing approaches I offer.
It uses gentle contact at specific areas along the spine while you remain fully clothed.
There is no cracking.
There is no manipulation.
There is no force.
I use Spinal Flow as part of my nervous system focused wellbeing work.
I do not present Spinal Flow as a cure for fibromyalgia or as a replacement for medical treatment.
Instead, it can form part of a broader approach to supporting someone who is living with chronic stress, tension and persistent symptoms.
What About PEMF?
PEMF has also been studied specifically in people with fibromyalgia.
One randomised, double blind, sham controlled study involving 56 women found improvements in measures including pain, function, fatigue and overall status following a particular low frequency PEMF protocol. The researchers concluded that PEMF might improve these outcomes.
Other trials have also investigated PEMF in fibromyalgia, with mixed results depending on the device and protocol.
This distinction matters.
Research on one PEMF device or treatment protocol does not automatically demonstrate that every PEMF device will produce the same results.
At Purposeful Life, I therefore offer PEMF and Terahertz as complementary wellness modalities, rather than promising they will treat fibromyalgia.
Looking at the Whole Person
When someone with fibromyalgia comes to see me, I am interested in more than where it hurts.
I want to understand the bigger picture.
How are you sleeping?
How are your energy levels?
What increases your symptoms?
What helps them settle?
How much stress are you carrying?
Are you constantly pushing through exhaustion?
How is your metabolic health?
What support are you already receiving?
Depending on what is appropriate, my work may include:
Spinal Flow Technique™
A gentle approach used within my nervous system focused wellbeing work.
PEMF and Terahertz
Complementary frequency wellness modalities.
NLP Coaching
Exploring thoughts, behaviours and patterns that may influence how you respond to stress and chronic health challenges.
Breathwork
Practical breathing techniques that can support relaxation and self regulation.
Metabolic Health Education
Exploring nutrition, lifestyle and metabolic wellbeing where relevant.
Importantly, my work complements rather than replaces appropriate medical care for fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia Support in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley
I work from two South Australian locations:
Abergeldie House, Glen Osmond
Williamstown, Barossa Valley
If you are living with fibromyalgia and feel as though you have spent years chasing individual symptoms, you may be interested in exploring your wellbeing from a broader perspective.
You do not need to decide which modality you need before contacting me.
Ready to Explore the Bigger Picture?
Learn more about my approach to nervous system wellbeing and Spinal Flow Technique™, or contact me if you are unsure where to begin.
If any of this resonates, reach out. Book a free discovery call to talk through what you are experiencing and whether this approach is right for you.
Call or text: 0481 877 860
Email: hello@purposefullife.com.au