Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is often misunderstood, and reliable information can be difficult to find. Whether you have recently been diagnosed, have been managing the condition for years, or are supporting someone who has it, our guides aim to make things clearer.
Understanding fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition characterised by widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. It is increasingly understood as a condition affecting how the central nervous system processes pain signals, rather than a disease of damaged muscles or joints.
- What is fibromyalgia – a plain language introduction to fibromyalgia and how it affects the body.
- Causes and triggers – what is currently understood about why fibromyalgia develops and what triggers the day-to-day flares.
- Fibromyalgia and overlapping conditions – the high rate of co-occurence with ME/CFS, IBS, migraine, and other conditions.
Symptoms and diagnosis
The defining feature of fibromyalgia is widespread pain — pain in multiple areas of the body lasting three months or more. Alongside pain, most people also experience fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive difficulties often called ‘fibro fog’.
- Fibromyalgia symptoms – the main symptoms of fibromyalgia explained in plain language.
- Fibromyalgia flares – what a flare is, what can trigger one, and how to manage when symptoms worsen.
- How fibromyalgia is diagnosed – the 2016 ACR criteria, what tests help rule out other conditions, and how to prepare for your appointment.
Managing daily life
There is no cure for fibromyalgia yet. Management focuses on reducing pain, improving sleep, and protecting energy through a mix of strategies — most people find that a combination of approaches works better than any single one.
The impact of fibromyalgia — how the condition affects work, finances, relationships, and mental health.
Managing fibromyalgia — pain management, sleep, gentle movement, and working with your GP.
Living with fibromyalgia — adapting daily routines, home setup, work, and relationships.
Research and news
Fibromyalgia research has been underfunded for decades, but understanding of the condition has shifted significantly in recent years. Researchers increasingly frame it as a disorder of central pain processing — a shift that may, over time, change how the condition is diagnosed and treated.
Fibromyalgia news — how to spot reliable updates and where to follow real scientific progress.
Fibromyalgia research — current theories, including central sensitisation and nociplastic pain.
Support and resources
Fibromyalgia resources — patient charities, research organisations, tracking tools, and communities.
FAQs — answers to the most common questions about fibromyalgia.