Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances. It was originally thought to be a musculoskeletal disorder since most of the pain was felt in the muscles and other soft tissues. However, recent research and the advancement of brain-imaging technology is revealing that fibromyalgia is actually a disorder of the central nervous system, which causes abnormal pain processing and results in pain amplification.

Fibromyalgia is actually quite a common condition - research has shown that up to 1 person in every 50 may share your symptoms. It has also provided a much clearer picture of what fibromyalgia is and how it can affect your life. For example, we now know that in spite of the pain fibromyalgia is not progressive and doesn't cause permanent damage to your muscles, bones or joints.

The 3 primary symptoms:

• pain
• fatigue
• Sleep disorders