This document is available in PDF format from here  and has previously been sent out to medical professionals from head office. It is now available on our website in an easy to read article format with table of contents on the right hand side.

Introduction
Fibromyalgia is a painful, non-articular condition predominantly involving muscles; it is the most common cause of chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain. It is typically associated with persistent fatigue, non refreshing sleep and generalised stiffness (Table 1).¹

Fibromyalgia affects about 2% of the UK population² with females outnumbering males in a ratio of 9:1. The most common age group affected is between 45–60, though it can occur at any age, even in children. There is no distinction between ethnic or social groups.

The onset of fibromyalgia can be sudden or gradual, traumatic or non-traumatic. Fibromyalgia can also co-exist with other distinct clinical disorders.³

Prognosis can depend on treatment availability and approach, and the individual’s willingness to adopt a self-management outlook. In 1998, Turk et al demonstrated that an interdisciplinary approach exploring concepts of

•   Medication utilisation
•   Activity scheduling
•   Graded exercise
•   Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

to be the optimal intervention for individuals with fibromyalgia.⁴