A New Approach to Managing Fibromyalgia Pain

Credit: Adobe Stock/Jacob Lund

If you’ve been living with fibromyalgia, you already know how complex and frustrating it can be. Between the chronic pain, fatigue, stiffness and mental fog, finding the right treatment can feel like trial and error. But new research out of Spain offers a hopeful direction for those seeking better relief: combining pain neuroscience education with strength training may reduce pain more effectively — at least in the short term — than traditional methods like walking or stretching.

A team of investigators from Pablo de Olavide University and the University of Seville, led by Álvaro-José Rodríguez-Domínguez, Ph.D., recently tested two exercise-based programs in a small group of women with fibromyalgia aged 20 to 65 years. One group received pain neuroscience education (PNE) alongside resistance training (RT) — think guided strength-building exercises. The other group followed a more typical regimen of aerobic and flexibility exercises (AE + FE), such as walking and stretching.

While both programs had benefits, the group that focused on learning about their pain and building muscle experienced greater short-term pain relief, plus improvements in strength and sensitivity.

What Is Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)?

Pain neuroscience education is a relatively new approach that helps people better understand how chronic pain works in the brain and body. The goal isn’t just physical — it is mental, too. It teaches patients that chronic pain isn’t always a sign of injury, but rather how the brain responds to stimuli over time. This can reduce fear, improve coping and even lead to less pain overall.

The Study

The trial included 31 women between the ages of 20 and 65 who had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for over a year. These women were randomly assigned to one of the two exercise groups:

• Group 1: Pain neuroscience education + resistance training (PNE + RT)
• Group 2: Aerobic + flexibility exercises (AE + FE)

Both groups exercised three times a week for 12 weeks, all while continuing their usual medications.

The team measured pain levels, muscle sensitivity, fatigue, strength and how fibromyalgia impacted daily life.

The Findings: Strength and Smarts Win

Here’s what investigators found:

• The PNE + RT group had significantly less short-term pain after the program.
• This group also had higher pain thresholds in key muscles (meaning they could tolerate more pressure without pain).
• They showed improved grip strength, suggesting that their physical power increased too.
• Both groups saw less disability (meaning they could do more in daily life). However, the AE + FE group didn’t report significant pain relief.
• Neither group reported major changes in stiffness.

In other words, while gentle cardio and stretching can help improve movement, combining education and resistance training may offer broader benefits — especially in reducing pain and increasing physical capability.

What This Means for Patients

If you’ve been sticking with low-impact workouts like walking or stretching but still feel stuck in a cycle of pain, this study suggests it may be worth talking to your health care provider about adding resistance training and learning-based interventions to your routine.

Investigators noted that this was a small study, and more research is needed, but the early results are promising.