Understanding Fibromyalgia: When Pain Comes from the Brain

Have you been dealing with pain all over your body — pain that just doesn’t make sense? Maybe your muscles ache, your sleep is broken, and you feel exhausted even after a full night's rest. You might have been told it’s all in your head, or maybe you’ve tried medication after medication with no real relief.

If this sounds familiar, you might be living with a condition called fibromyalgia.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects how your brain and nervous system process pain. It's not caused by inflammation or injury in your muscles or joints, it’s caused by a sensitive and overactive nervous system.

This means that even gentle pressure, stress, poor sleep, or gut issues can make your brain interpret signals as pain — even when there’s no real tissue damage happening.

Common Symptoms

Everyone’s experience with fibromyalgia is different, but many people have:

• Pain all over the body

• Fatigue that doesn't go away with rest

• Trouble concentrating or remembering things (called “fibro fog”)

• Headaches or migraines

• Digestive problems like IBS

• Restless legs or trouble sleeping

• Heightened sensitivity to touch, temperature, light or sound

Why Does It Happen?

There’s no single cause, but fibromyalgia often develops after:

• Physical or emotional trauma

• Chronic stress

• An illness or infection

• Sleep disorders

• A family history of fibromyalgia

Over time, your body becomes “wired” to be on high alert — and your pain system gets stuck in overdrive.

Why Typical Pain Medications Don't Work

You may have tried anti-inflammatory meds like ibuprofen or naproxen with little relief. That’s because fibromyalgia isn’t caused by inflammation. These drugs don’t affect the brain and spinal cord, where fibromyalgia pain is actually coming from.

What Helps?

Although there’s no single “cure,” fibromyalgia can be managed and quality of life can improve with the right approach. This usually includes:

• Education: Understanding what’s happening can reduce fear and stress

• Gentle exercise: Like walking, yoga, or tai chi to calm the nervous system

• Stress management: Meditation, deep breathing, or talking with a therapist

• Manual therapy: Hands-on care to reduce muscle tension and support relaxation

• Consistent routines: Especially with sleep, movement, and self-care

Why You Might Feel Better After Spinal Care

Many people with fibromyalgia notice improvements in sleep, digestion, and mental clarity after chiropractic or manual treatment. This isn’t just a coincidence. Calming the nervous system through touch and movement can help rebalance the body’s stress and pain responses.

You’re Not Alone

Fibromyalgia is real, common, and often misunderstood. But with the right support and a team that listens and believes you, it is possible to feel better and get back to doing the things you love.

If this sounds like your experience, we’re here to help. We take a whole-person approach that respects your story and supports your recovery.

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Dr Mark has a special interest in helping recreational athletes of all ages perform better and prevent injury. Correct breathing and postural alignment are critical for top performance and injury prevention and is an integral part of “The Over 40 Athlete System” that Mark has developed.

Dr Julie has a special interest in helping mothers and “mothers to be”. Her Post Graduate qualifications in Paediatric Chiropractic and as an ex-midwife give her a unique ability to help pregnant women, new mums and their young children.

Yours in Health,

Dr's Mark & Julie