1 DO YOUR HOMEWORK There’s evidence that simply learning more about fibromyalgia and being reassured that it’s not all in your head can take away some of the fear and anxiety about it. Join an online or Facebook group; charities such as the Fibromyalgia Action UK (fmauk.org) organise a network of local support groups.
2 TRY GRADED EXERCISE It may seem counter-intuitive to exercise when you’re aching all over, but there’s lots of evidence that it can ease symptoms. What’s more, if you don’t exercise you may develop secondary muscle weakness. Research has shown that aerobic exercise, which increases the circulation of oxygen in the blood and gets your heart beating faster, improves fitness along with pain and fatigue, but resistance exercise such as weight training can be beneficial, too. Tai chi and yoga have both been proved to help improve pain.