How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Fibromyalgia Symptoms

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and complex pain disorder that affects the muscles, joints, and nervous system. It's characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive issues (commonly referred to as "fibro fog").

Unlike other conditions, fibromyalgia does not involve visible inflammation or structural damage that shows up on X-rays or blood tests, which can make diagnosis and treatment challenging. Instead, it is believed to be caused by a central sensitization, a heightened response in the brain and spinal cord to pain signals.

Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia:

• Persistent, widespread muscle pain and tenderness
• Morning stiffness and non-restorative sleep
• Chronic fatigue, even after adequate rest
• Headaches or migraines
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering (fibro fog)
• Increased sensitivity to light, sound, or temperature
• Co-existing conditions such as IBS, anxiety, or depression

While there is no known cure, chiropractic care may play a supportive role in managing symptoms and improving daily function.

How Chiropractic Can Support Fibromyalgia Management

Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free option to help support the body’s musculoskeletal and nervous systems—two areas heavily affected by fibromyalgia.

While chiropractic treatment does not claim to cure fibromyalgia, many patients report improvements in mobility, sleep, and general wellbeing. This holistic approach focuses on reducing biomechanical stress and supporting nervous system balance.

Here’s how chiropractic fibromyalgia treatment may help:

1. Improves Joint Mobility Fibromyalgia often leads to stiffness in the spine and extremities. Chiropractic adjustments help restore joint movement, reducing restriction and enhancing flexibility.

2. Reduces Muscle Tension Many fibromyalgia sufferers experience chronic muscle tightness. Gentle manual therapy, stretching, and spinal mobilization can alleviate tension and promote relaxation.

3. Enhances Nervous System Function Chiropractors aim to reduce mechanical interference in the nervous system through spinal adjustments, potentially supporting more regulated pain responses and reduced sensitivity.

4. Supports Better Sleep Chronic pain often disrupts sleep. By improving physical comfort and reducing musculoskeletal stress, chiropractic care may contribute to more restful nights.

5. Holistic Pain Management Chiropractic care often includes posture education, ergonomic advice, therapeutic exercises, and lifestyle modifications. This fibromyalgia pain relief chiropractic strategy empowers patients to better manage flare-ups and maintain quality of life.

6. Individualized, Gentle Care At Lakeside Chiropractic, treatments are tailored to each person’s tolerance and presentation. For fibromyalgia, this typically means low-force techniques and a gradual approach to care.

How Chiropractic Can Support Fibromyalgia Management

Chiropractic fibromyalgia treatment is not a cure for fibromyalgia, but it may provide relief by improving musculoskeletal function and reducing physical stress on the body.

Here’s how fibromyalgia chiropractic care may help:

✅ Improves Joint Function and Mobility

Spinal adjustments may ease stiffness and promote fluid movement, helping reduce overall musculoskeletal tension.

✅ Reduces Muscle Tension

Many fibromyalgia sufferers experience chronic muscle tightness, which can be addressed through soft tissue therapy and adjustments.

✅ Supports Nervous System Function

Chiropractic care may help optimize communication between the brain and body, which is often disrupted in fibromyalgia.

✅ Promotes Better Sleep and Relaxation

By improving mobility and reducing discomfort, patients may experience better rest and reduced stress.

✅ Holistic Pain Management

Chiropractors often combine manual therapy, stretching, and lifestyle guidance as part of fibromyalgia pain relief chiropractic strategies.

What About Cold Laser Therapy for Fibromyalgia?

For those seeking additional support, low-level laser therapy (also known as cold laser therapy) may also assist with managing fibromyalgia symptoms. Some research suggests it may help reduce pain, improve sleep quality and decrease fatigue when used as part of a broader care plan. To learn more about how laser therapy can complement your chiropractic care, read our detailed guide on cold laser therapy for fibromyalgia.

Research Insight:

Emerging research suggests chiropractic care may play a supportive role in managing fibromyalgia when used as part of a broader, individualised care plan.

A clinical trial from Turkey explored the effects of high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) thoracic spinal adjustments on women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Over a period of three weeks (six treatment sessions), the group receiving chiropractic manipulation reported meaningful improvements in pain levels, depression, sleep quality and overall quality of life compared to a group that received a sham treatment.

In addition, a narrative review published in the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association examined 38 studies, including randomised controlled trials, case series and systematic reviews. While results were mixed, the review noted that spinal manipulation may offer benefit when used as part of a multimodal approach to fibromyalgia care—particularly in studies that combined manual therapy with other conservative treatments.

Although more high-quality research is still needed, these findings suggest that chiropractic care may contribute to improved comfort and function in individuals living with fibromyalgia—especially when tailored to individual needs and combined with other evidence-informed therapies.

Book an Appointment

At Lakeside Chiropractic, we are committed to providing personalized care tailored to your specific needs. Our experienced team employs evidence-based chiropractic techniques to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients. If you’re dealing with uncomfortable pain that just won’t ease up, book in for an assessment to find out what might be the causes behind it.

📍 Find us in Joondalup

📅 Book online: https://www.lakesidechiro.com.au/

While outcomes can vary, many patients find this multi-modal approach helps improve over time. If you are having back pain or neck pain or any pain in general, feel free to contact us on 9300 0095 to see how we may be able to help, or visit our website for more information.

📍 Serving the Joondalup & Northern Suburbs of Perth Lakeside Chiropractic is central to the northern suburbs of Perth, located in the City of Joondalup. If you are in the surrounding suburbs such as Yanchep - 6035, Tapping - 6065, Carramar - 6031, Currambine - 6028, Wanneroo - 6065, Heathridge - 6027, Edgewater - 6027, Gnangara - 6077, Mullaloo - 6027, Padbury - 6025, Kingsley - 6026, Woodvale - 6026, Banksia Grove - 6031, or Duncraig - 6023, our team is here to assist you.

References:

1. Okatan, E., et al. (2024). The Effect of Chiropractic Thoracic Manipulation on Pain, Depression, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Patients with Fibromyalgia [Completed randomized controlled trial]. ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT06194942.
2. Roecker, E. (2025). Spinal manipulation for fibromyalgia: A narrative review. Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 69(1), 33–48.