Conditions we treat
Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia
Reviewed by Andrew Macdonald, Senior Physiotherapist — AHPRA registered, APA member
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition causing widespread musculoskeletal pain, along with fatigue, poor sleep, and often tingling in the hands and feet or difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”). Because symptoms overlap with several other conditions, an accurate diagnosis — usually from your GP or a rheumatologist — is an important first step before starting treatment.
Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue syndrome causes persistent, often debilitating exhaustion that isn’t relieved by rest, ranging from mild symptoms you can push through to a totally debilitating impact on daily life. It’s a complex condition that affects everyone differently, so management needs to be individual too.
Treatment
Physiotherapy doesn’t cure fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, but it can meaningfully help manage symptoms. Andrew’s approach combines dry needling, trigger point therapy and manual therapy for pain relief, alongside a carefully paced, graded exercise programme — since pushing too hard too soon can flare symptoms, while the right amount at the right pace helps rebuild capacity without setbacks. Treatment is coordinated alongside your GP or specialist’s broader management plan, not in place of it.
How we treat it
Treatments used for chronic fatigue & fibromyalgia
Manual TherapyManual therapy uses hands-on techniques — soft tissue work, trigger point therapy, joint mobilisation and fascia distortion release — to ease pain, restore movement and speed recovery.
Dry NeedlingDry needling uses thin, sterile needles to release tight, overactive trigger points in muscle — a Western, evidence-based technique distinct from traditional acupuncture.
Exercise RehabilitationA structured, progressive exercise programme — tailored to your condition and stage of recovery — to rebuild strength, restore movement and prevent injuries recurring.Frequently asked questions
What are the main symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia typically causes widespread chronic pain, fatigue, poor sleep, tingling in the hands and feet, joint stiffness, and difficulty concentrating (sometimes called "brain fog"). Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, a proper assessment is important to reach the right diagnosis.
Can exercise make fibromyalgia worse?
Exercise that's too intense or poorly paced can flare symptoms, which is why a graded, carefully managed exercise programme matters. Andrew builds this alongside hands-on treatment like dry needling and trigger point therapy, adjusting the pace so symptoms are managed rather than aggravated.
What treatments help chronic fatigue syndrome?
Physiotherapy for chronic fatigue focuses on a carefully paced exercise programme combined with manual therapy and guidance on lifestyle factors that may be contributing to symptoms. Because chronic fatigue affects people very differently, treatment needs to be tailored to your specific presentation and pace of progress.
Is fibromyalgia the same as chronic fatigue syndrome?
They're related but distinct — fibromyalgia is characterised primarily by widespread pain alongside fatigue, while chronic fatigue syndrome centres on profound, persistent exhaustion. The two conditions overlap significantly and sometimes occur together, which is why an individual assessment matters more than the label.
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