What do you think?
Rate this book
Mayo Clinic on Fibromyalgia: Strategies to Take Back Your Life
Called the “invisible disease,” fibromyalgia is estimated to impact more than 10 million Americans. And yet, so much is still misunderstood about this chronic disorder. Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia is an invaluable resource for understanding fibromyalgia and its debilitating symptoms.
Those living with fibromyalgia know it is an invasive disorder, one that can cause overwhelming fatigue, joint stiffness, sleep problems, migraines, digestive problems, and troubles with memory and concentration, a symptom so common it is often referred to as “fibrofog.”
While it's believed that humans have suffered from fibromyalgia for hundreds, even thousands, of years, a delay in medical research means many people living with fibromyalgia are still in the dark, confused by their symptoms and what causes the painful disorder.
By drawing upon decades of advanced research in studying and treating fibromyalgia, Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia combines anecdotes from real cases with expertise from Mayo Clinic’s rheumatology and chronic pain experts to provide an all-encompassing guide for understanding one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting Americans today.
This book also offers reasonable, proven strategies—like worksheets to help readers craft a personalized daily plan—for managing common fibromyalgia symptoms, while serving as a comforting guide for those who may feel alone in their journey with fibromyalgia.
This book breaks down what fibromyalgia is—and isn’t—in 4 separate sections:
· Section 1 introduces fibromyalgia, the history and modern discoveries of fibromyalgia research, as well as common myths and misconceptions associated with the condition
· Section 2 outlines the different treatment options available to those who suffer from fibromyalgia, including prescription medications, therapies, and forms of integrative medicine
· Section 3 offers helpful tips for managing—and improving—chronic pain through diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management
· Finally, Section 4 explains how to find guidance and support from your family, friends, and physicians to help you live a life unhindered by fibromyalgia
If you’re struggling to advance past your painful fibromyalgia symptoms, get the book Publisher ’ s Weekly described as “the first [book] a newly diagnosed patient should consult.”
Those living with fibromyalgia know it is an invasive disorder, one that can cause overwhelming fatigue, joint stiffness, sleep problems, migraines, digestive problems, and troubles with memory and concentration, a symptom so common it is often referred to as “fibrofog.”
While it's believed that humans have suffered from fibromyalgia for hundreds, even thousands, of years, a delay in medical research means many people living with fibromyalgia are still in the dark, confused by their symptoms and what causes the painful disorder.
By drawing upon decades of advanced research in studying and treating fibromyalgia, Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia combines anecdotes from real cases with expertise from Mayo Clinic’s rheumatology and chronic pain experts to provide an all-encompassing guide for understanding one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting Americans today.
This book also offers reasonable, proven strategies—like worksheets to help readers craft a personalized daily plan—for managing common fibromyalgia symptoms, while serving as a comforting guide for those who may feel alone in their journey with fibromyalgia.
This book breaks down what fibromyalgia is—and isn’t—in 4 separate sections:
· Section 1 introduces fibromyalgia, the history and modern discoveries of fibromyalgia research, as well as common myths and misconceptions associated with the condition
· Section 2 outlines the different treatment options available to those who suffer from fibromyalgia, including prescription medications, therapies, and forms of integrative medicine
· Section 3 offers helpful tips for managing—and improving—chronic pain through diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management
· Finally, Section 4 explains how to find guidance and support from your family, friends, and physicians to help you live a life unhindered by fibromyalgia
If you’re struggling to advance past your painful fibromyalgia symptoms, get the book Publisher ’ s Weekly described as “the first [book] a newly diagnosed patient should consult.”
272 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2019
341 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 6, 2020
Overall some good tidbits about the cause of fibro and history of it. But, it felt like some parts were rather condescending and filled with toxic positivity...for example: advice about keeping complaints to yourself, etc...seemed steeped in shame.
Overall a good jumping off point, but as someone with fibro I suggest people check out online forums as well.
Overall a good jumping off point, but as someone with fibro I suggest people check out online forums as well.
October 14, 2019
The book is fairly well organized but as a Fibromyalgia sufferer for quite a few years, I find that this would be a good "intro to Fibro" type book for the very newly diagnosed but there is SO MUCH MORE TO FIBRO.
February 3, 2020
Good place to start for the newly diagnosed.
January 28, 2020
Really an uncompassionate look at fibro. The authors all but guffaw at the idea of fibromyalgia being a disabling condition. While they say it’s a physical condition and not a mental health issue, they gaslight you the entire book by suggesting if you merely eat better, pace yourself and just make more friends you can live a normal life with fibro.
Don’t get me wrong, the advice they offer can help. But there is no normal life to be had with fibro, and no amount of CBT is going to make this condition go away.
Don’t get me wrong, the advice they offer can help. But there is no normal life to be had with fibro, and no amount of CBT is going to make this condition go away.
October 27, 2022
The first bit was helpful, it was about the history of fibro and what causes it. But this book gets fairly toxically positive, and unrealistic when it comes to the management of fibro.
October 14, 2021
Lots of decent advice that's easy to follow. Also lots of history.
January 27, 2020
This was similar to what I expected, but it did have a few gems in it. For myself, none of the information on drugs was ever going to be helpful. And I must give fair warning: I'd consider some of the statements on exercise and on cognitive behavioral therapy to be quite flawed or outright harmful.
This could be a pro or a con depending on your point of view but in some ways this book tries to move this diagnoses from a diagnoses of a complex of symptoms to a very exacting diagnoses as if it had a single etiology and as if cases are all more similar than they actually are, particularly in the above mentioned areas of cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise. This definitely leads to some cons. For example it speaks to the possible decline in muscle mass which they very correctly understand can happen but then makes the claim that reluctance or trouble with exercising is always correct to ignore and just do it anyway as long as you only do it at low to medium intensity for fewer days a week or some such, while some of us have suffered a lifetime of learning how to recognize when doing it will set off days or weeks or months of backlash when in anyone else the push to do it would have been correct. (Perhaps someone will eventually discover more of what is going on internally in cases where what should have been the correct amount sets off a huge setback!) It basically comes full circle from understanding the strain on relationships to being the source of being misunderstood.
Still, on balance, I'm glad I picked it up and got a few gems from it. It does have some real value even to a non-med-user/holistic care patient like myself.
This could be a pro or a con depending on your point of view but in some ways this book tries to move this diagnoses from a diagnoses of a complex of symptoms to a very exacting diagnoses as if it had a single etiology and as if cases are all more similar than they actually are, particularly in the above mentioned areas of cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise. This definitely leads to some cons. For example it speaks to the possible decline in muscle mass which they very correctly understand can happen but then makes the claim that reluctance or trouble with exercising is always correct to ignore and just do it anyway as long as you only do it at low to medium intensity for fewer days a week or some such, while some of us have suffered a lifetime of learning how to recognize when doing it will set off days or weeks or months of backlash when in anyone else the push to do it would have been correct. (Perhaps someone will eventually discover more of what is going on internally in cases where what should have been the correct amount sets off a huge setback!) It basically comes full circle from understanding the strain on relationships to being the source of being misunderstood.
Still, on balance, I'm glad I picked it up and got a few gems from it. It does have some real value even to a non-med-user/holistic care patient like myself.
August 31, 2020
Helpful but basic
Like many of the Mayo Clinic books, this is helpful introduction to the disorder but not detailed and without scientific references or footnotes. I am newly diagnosed and found this helpful but I found myself wanting to know more about the science and research on fibromyalgia. It seems to be written at a fairly basic reading level, I assume intentionally to make it more accessible. There is a lot about writing SMART goals which I already knew, and some helpful information about how to live more effectively with the condition. Since this was my first reading on the subject after diagnosis, it was worth the read but if you have been diagnosed for a while or read quite a bit already, I would skip this one.
Like many of the Mayo Clinic books, this is helpful introduction to the disorder but not detailed and without scientific references or footnotes. I am newly diagnosed and found this helpful but I found myself wanting to know more about the science and research on fibromyalgia. It seems to be written at a fairly basic reading level, I assume intentionally to make it more accessible. There is a lot about writing SMART goals which I already knew, and some helpful information about how to live more effectively with the condition. Since this was my first reading on the subject after diagnosis, it was worth the read but if you have been diagnosed for a while or read quite a bit already, I would skip this one.
August 25, 2023
It's a fine book if you're otherwise healthy (no other diseases/conditions to deal with), upper middle class with a spouse who works so you have the option of quitting your job or your parents make enough money to support you, and you can afford doctors, nutritionists, massage therapists, etc. Otherwise, you won't find a lot of useful suggestions. I have a lot of health issues, I've read a lot of books about how to live with them. Books like this really get to me, when the author assumes that everyone with a particular disease has nothing else to worry about or deal with. I realize it's impossible to cover all the possible situations and comorbidities, but it's nice to at least admit some people can't afford all these things, some cannot exercise, and so forth.
August 5, 2023
3.5/5 stars. Overall, I think this is a good primer on fibromyalgia (more inch deep and a mile wide than a deep dive into any particular facet of symptom management, etc., but a helpful overview for sure). And, I recommend reading it to anyone who would like to get a foundation for the basics along with concrete steps you can take to move towards improvement.
The book gets into the history of the disease (including back when many people didn’t believe it existed), treatment options, and suggestions for managing symptoms, often emphasizing moderation and pacing. Exercise, of course, is highly recommended for symptom management. The book has some great recommendations for types of exercise and relaxation along with suggestions for creating a daily planner and corresponding templates.
On the negatives of the book, there are definitely some questionable recommendations (accept all invitations to social events but only stay for 30 minutes being one) and a dash or two of toxic positivity (don’t complain about your pain/symptoms, focus instead on what you can do).
Also, they threw in a page about obesity and fibromyalgia, seemingly just for funsies. IIRC, they even admit on the page that there aren’t great studies finding a correlation between the two. In the healthy eating section, they recommend eating from a small plate to help with portion control 🙄 I have the “correct” BMI, so if I’m noticing this and annoyed by it, I can only imagine how disheartening it is for people with larger bodies.
I also think the doctors who wrote the book have a higher opinion of what doctors can (or will) do to help patients with chronic pain. I’ve seen so many stories of patients being dismissed by their doctor and then after years of struggling, finally receiving a diagnosis. Presumably after thousands in medical costs. They suggest finding a trustworthy primary care doctor to be your coach through your care plan. If you don’t have one, they suggest finding one through family referrals, etc. The doctors who merit referrals tend to be full up on patients in my experience, if they stick around and don’t move to a larger clinic.
Problems aside, I do absolutely recommend this book but suggest taking it with a grain of salt. If you’ve already read up on the disease, this book might be too broad to truly be helpful. Overall, I’m planning (and am excited) to try a lot of the advice in the book and am hopeful that I’ll see some improvement.
The book gets into the history of the disease (including back when many people didn’t believe it existed), treatment options, and suggestions for managing symptoms, often emphasizing moderation and pacing. Exercise, of course, is highly recommended for symptom management. The book has some great recommendations for types of exercise and relaxation along with suggestions for creating a daily planner and corresponding templates.
On the negatives of the book, there are definitely some questionable recommendations (accept all invitations to social events but only stay for 30 minutes being one) and a dash or two of toxic positivity (don’t complain about your pain/symptoms, focus instead on what you can do).
Also, they threw in a page about obesity and fibromyalgia, seemingly just for funsies. IIRC, they even admit on the page that there aren’t great studies finding a correlation between the two. In the healthy eating section, they recommend eating from a small plate to help with portion control 🙄 I have the “correct” BMI, so if I’m noticing this and annoyed by it, I can only imagine how disheartening it is for people with larger bodies.
I also think the doctors who wrote the book have a higher opinion of what doctors can (or will) do to help patients with chronic pain. I’ve seen so many stories of patients being dismissed by their doctor and then after years of struggling, finally receiving a diagnosis. Presumably after thousands in medical costs. They suggest finding a trustworthy primary care doctor to be your coach through your care plan. If you don’t have one, they suggest finding one through family referrals, etc. The doctors who merit referrals tend to be full up on patients in my experience, if they stick around and don’t move to a larger clinic.
Problems aside, I do absolutely recommend this book but suggest taking it with a grain of salt. If you’ve already read up on the disease, this book might be too broad to truly be helpful. Overall, I’m planning (and am excited) to try a lot of the advice in the book and am hopeful that I’ll see some improvement.
December 31, 2022
Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia is comprehensive rather than only anecdotal in its approach, which makes it more useful than some books on fibromyalgia, but it tends to be vague and repetitive. The good thing is that people experiencing fibro fog – and those who need to make a significant shift in their thinking about fibromyalgia – are repeatedly reminded that there are things that they can do. Unfortunately, this book could be a pamphlet, maybe several pamphlets, with no loss to the consumer.
So, if you're wondering whether you can do anything to handle the pain, here's the skinny: medications can be helpful but also have significant downsides. Massage works short-term but does not seem to have long-last effects. What seems to be helpful is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, moderation and pacing of physical activity, reducing stress and resolving depression, social support, stretching, and setting reasonable goals. Partnering with your medical team – and your family – is very important. And, bottom line, these suggestions are much the same as those given for any chronic pain problem.
Pain can be handled well. That doesn't mean that pain is easy to handle, just that it does not need to take over a person's life. There are things you can do.
So, if you're wondering whether you can do anything to handle the pain, here's the skinny: medications can be helpful but also have significant downsides. Massage works short-term but does not seem to have long-last effects. What seems to be helpful is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, moderation and pacing of physical activity, reducing stress and resolving depression, social support, stretching, and setting reasonable goals. Partnering with your medical team – and your family – is very important. And, bottom line, these suggestions are much the same as those given for any chronic pain problem.
Pain can be handled well. That doesn't mean that pain is easy to handle, just that it does not need to take over a person's life. There are things you can do.
February 28, 2025
It's basically a 6th grade level, really long definition of what fibromyalgia is and some strategies. I suppose it could be a good jumping off point for folks who need introductory info- like family members, but for those of us who've been in the trenches for 30 years, it's really not super helpful. It tells us things we've heard time and again, with a little victim shaming to boot. No one should have to keep their pain to themselves in order to make it through the day with family or coworkers. I'm not saying we should walk around whining- but realistically, for some, talking it out is helpful. But I digress. This is great for a kid looking to write a report for school, not so much for definitive help. I understand though, that for a teaching hospital, there's liability in diagnoses and specific treatment options.
April 27, 2022
Fibromialgija je zahrbtna bolezen, ki je tudi v Sloveniji precej razširjena (knjiga je izšla pred kratkim tudi v slovenščini pri založbi Chiara). Žal je pot do diagnoze precej dolga in naporna, pacienti se soočamo z nerazumevanjem okolice, kar pa je še posebej zaskrbljujoče, tudi zdravnikov. Soočanje z boleznijo je naporno, načrtovanje življenja pa praktično nemogoče, saj nikoli ne vemo, kaj nas čaka tisti dan. Knjiga nam ponuja številne tehnike in znanja, s pomočjo katerih lahko primemo bolezen za rogove. Razloži tudi nastanek bolezni in možnosti zdravljenja. Posebej hvalevreden je tudi pozitiven pristop knjige do bolezni in vzpodbuden ton pri obravnavi strategij. Priporočam vsem bolnikom s fibromialgijo in njihovim bližnjim.
January 25, 2020
One of the better books I've read on Fibro, unfortunately still some misinformation, such as one chapter it talks about diet and how you may have to eliminate foods such as eggs, then the next chapter it says eggs are a great protein and breakfast option. I understand from suffering everyBODY is different with what may cause flare-ups but just makes me think as I read!
If you are newly diagnosed or have a friend or family member who is this book should be read to help you understand this pain disorder!
If you are newly diagnosed or have a friend or family member who is this book should be read to help you understand this pain disorder!
June 5, 2020
This book was very informative and it helped me understand the lives of many people dealing with fibromyalgia — reading this book made me feel like I am not alone in this. From communication tips to your loved ones, friends, and peers and work to managing a daily schedule on your good days and your not-so-good days was very insightful.
I highly recommend you take the time to read this book whether you're living with the chronic illness, a loved one, a friend, spouse, partner, or co-worker — it will help you understand them a bit more.
I highly recommend you take the time to read this book whether you're living with the chronic illness, a loved one, a friend, spouse, partner, or co-worker — it will help you understand them a bit more.
January 7, 2020
If you or your loved one has fibromyalgia, this book is a clear guide on how this disease process can affect them. It is a clear concise guide on myths vs facts, causes, central sensitization, diagnosis, cost, treatment options, integrative therapy, cognitive behavior and the Mayo clinic's interdisciplinary pain management program. It also includes managing symptoms, medications and other treatments, stress and mood management, and living with fibromyalgia. A great resource.
December 21, 2020
Great Book for Fibro Patients and Those Who Love Them
Reading this book gave me so many aha moments that I lost track of them. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 6 months ago, but based on this book and the symptoms and syndromes that are related to fibro, I suspect I've had fibro for many years. I'd love to require medical professionals who treat chronic pain to read the Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia.
Reading this book gave me so many aha moments that I lost track of them. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 6 months ago, but based on this book and the symptoms and syndromes that are related to fibro, I suspect I've had fibro for many years. I'd love to require medical professionals who treat chronic pain to read the Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia.
July 18, 2022
Has some great info. I however don't love the shaming part, I do not want you in my life if I can not talk to you about my health. I will listen to my friends, loved ones and support peeps go on about whatevs but in return, I do want to talk about me and sadly that is mostly how my symptoms are. They are a part of me ignoring them is not helpful, and that is why I have gone so long without a diagnosis.
December 25, 2025
This was a great basic introduction to Fibromyalgia. As someone who is relatively newly diagnosed. My Doctor really hasn’t explained my diagnosis to me,just prescribed medication. This helped me learn more about the condition in general. Which I desperately needed a better understanding of it. It also helped me face some truths I needed to face. However I will say if you’re looking for guidance,direction and solutions to implement immediately this isn’t the best book for that.
November 21, 2020
Best book I’ve read about Fibromyalgia
I’ve been looking for a good book that describes and explains everything to know about this hidden disease, and at last I found it with this one.
I guess that you get what you pay for. I was hesitant about buying a more expensive book, but in the end I went for it. Cheaper reading material was inadequate. This one was worth every penny.
I’ve been looking for a good book that describes and explains everything to know about this hidden disease, and at last I found it with this one.
I guess that you get what you pay for. I was hesitant about buying a more expensive book, but in the end I went for it. Cheaper reading material was inadequate. This one was worth every penny.
March 1, 2025
Helpful guide on fibromyalgia
This book helped me understand the condition better and not feel so bad about my diagnosis. Most tips and things I already knew like diet and exercise but reading them to my spouse helped him understand more about the condition. I recommend this book.
This book helped me understand the condition better and not feel so bad about my diagnosis. Most tips and things I already knew like diet and exercise but reading them to my spouse helped him understand more about the condition. I recommend this book.
June 26, 2025
Not a bad introduction to the condition but not really all that helpful for anyone who’s already sought out considerable treatment for the condition. I could see this book being more helpful for people just diagnosed or for educating loved ones who may not understand people living with the condition.
December 2, 2025
This book does have some good information on what fibromyalgia is and how it works, but it is written for someone who does not even have a basic idea of a healthy lifestyle. I skipped a lot of that part. I’m sure this book is right for someone but I was really hoping for more of a dee dive into the condition and less self help tips.
October 16, 2023
great resource
This book is a great resource for anyone with fibromyalgia, as well as, anyone who is a loved one of someone with fibromyalgia or even a medical professional trying to learn more about it to assist their patients.
This book is a great resource for anyone with fibromyalgia, as well as, anyone who is a loved one of someone with fibromyalgia or even a medical professional trying to learn more about it to assist their patients.
August 25, 2024
A helpful intro to fibro, aimed at those who are new to chronic illness and its management in general. After reading it, as someone who has long experience of dealing with mental health conditions and other chronic health issues, I'm looking for something more, as this felt very basic.
June 6, 2025
Fibromyalgia affects many aspects of your life. So, it makes sense that learning to manage this disorder often requires a broad treatment approach.
I live in Phoenix Arizona and unfortunately, The Mayo Clinic fibromyalgia programs are only in Rochester, MN and Jacksonville, FL.
I live in Phoenix Arizona and unfortunately, The Mayo Clinic fibromyalgia programs are only in Rochester, MN and Jacksonville, FL.
December 20, 2025
2/3 of this book was very unhelpful and patronizing advice like "don't complain".
The first 1/3 was interesting and I formative about the origins and potential causes for fubromyalgia. Not very useful for someone who's been diagnosed with fubromyalgia for a few years.
The first 1/3 was interesting and I formative about the origins and potential causes for fubromyalgia. Not very useful for someone who's been diagnosed with fubromyalgia for a few years.
October 14, 2019
Very gentle easy read book with a good amount of information
May 8, 2020
Didn't read all of it, but skimmed the whole. Helpful, though I understand there are better books on the subject. Would consider buying it to have as a guide.
August 2, 2020
Good introduction
This is a very basic book covering introductory information. It describes the symptoms, possible treatments and strategies for coping with having fibromyalgia.
This is a very basic book covering introductory information. It describes the symptoms, possible treatments and strategies for coping with having fibromyalgia.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews