The Science: Why Fibromyalgia Is a Nervous System Condition
For decades, fibromyalgia was dismissed as "not real" because tests showed nothing wrong with muscles or joints. We now understand that fibromyalgia is real—but the problem isn't in the tissues. It's in the nervous system. Through central sensitization, the brain and spinal cord have become hypervigilant, amplifying normal sensory signals into pain signals. Light touch hurts. Mild pressure hurts. Temperature changes hurt. The volume knob on pain is turned all the way up.
Brain imaging studies show that fibromyalgia patients have altered activation in pain-processing regions: the insula, anterior cingulate cortex, and somatosensory cortex light up more intensely to the same stimuli. They also show decreased activity in descending pain inhibition pathways—the body's natural pain suppression isn't working properly. The nervous system is stuck in "danger mode."
This is why Tapping can be remarkably effective for fibromyalgia. By directly calming the nervous system and reducing cortisol, it addresses the core mechanism of the condition. By processing trauma—which research shows is highly prevalent in fibromyalgia patients—it may help resolve the underlying state that's driving the sensitization. Tapping isn't asking you to "think away" real pain. It's working to change the neurological pattern that's creating that pain in the first place.
The trauma connection: Research shows high rates of trauma history in fibromyalgia patients. Many find that addressing unresolved trauma through Tapping leads to significant improvement in fibro symptoms. The body's chronic stress state may be a trauma response manifesting as pain.
Real Results
Jean's Story
"Tapping resolved my self diagnosed fibromyalgia of my upper body. With a nursing background and an avid Google researcher I know what my symptoms related to. Don't get me wrong it wasn't an overnight success. It actually took me a few weeks to resolve the pain and occurrence of the symptoms."
Jean brought her nursing expertise to understanding her condition—and to recognizing when something was actually working. She stuck with Tapping through the process.
"Before the symptoms disappeared altogether I simply had to start to tap and the pain immediately started to subside. Now I'm pain free. How do I know it was the Tapping which was responsible? All the other variants remain in my life. I don't tap as often as I used to but when I do that benchmark score always comes down. It works and it is as simple as that."
Elaine Purvey's Story
"In 2004 I was in a car accident which triggered VERY DEBILITATING fibromyalgia. It was hell and I refused to believe that I just had to 'learn to live with it.' My business goals, dreams, income, health, relationships and credit... ALL crumbled, shattered and pulverized."
Elaine was self-employed, couldn't collect disability, and watched her entire life fall apart. But she made a vow: to get well and help others with fibro. She used EFT for PTSD from 50 years of feeling unloved by her mother—trauma that had taken "a big toll on my body and spirit."
"I am so happy and grateful to have a life again. I did get well and now hope to be able to work again so I can have income again. I created Freedom from Fibromyalgia Resources and freefromfibro.com."
Her recovery was so significant that she built a website to help others, turning her darkest experience into service.
Laurie Spero-Asjes's Story
"I have Fibromyalgia and am in constant pain. I am allergic to all pain medication. I was diagnosed in 2001. Prior to that time, I was in sales, trained many people, ran a business, and knew how to multi-task very well. I was a natural leader."
For Laurie, being allergic to pain medication made fibromyalgia especially challenging—she couldn't even access the standard treatments. Then she attended the Tapping World Summit and tapped along with each session for 11 days.
"Before the Summit, I felt that my life was over, and that I would never be able to do much of anything any more. I, after being involved in the 11 day Summit, felt the possibility of my pain leaving for good!"
Laurie went from believing her life was over to feeling the real possibility of being set free from this debilitating illness.
A Gentle Approach
Start slow: With fibromyalgia, even Tapping can feel like too much on bad days. Start with just a few points, even just holding them without Tapping.
Address the emotional layers: Grief about lost abilities, anger at not being believed, fear of the future—these amplify fibro symptoms. Tap on them.
Trauma work: If you have unresolved trauma, consider working with a practitioner. The fibro may be connected.
Begin Your Fibromyalgia Relief Journey
These gentle sessions are designed for sensitive nervous systems.
Living With Chronic Conditions 18 min Releasing Physical Pain 15 min