The missing link in fibromyalgia care (most doctors don’t mention this)

Hi Friend

I hope you are well and having a good week so far. Helping chronic pain patients is a true passion of mine. This is why I will be sending daily short emails, each one packed with helpful tips and tricks that are evidence based.

This week lets explore why traditional therapy doesn’t work, there is also an underlying reason for many- adhd (will discuss this in detail in another email)

Why Traditional Therapy Isn’t Enough—And How Creative Modalities Can Help

Many people with fibromyalgia try traditional therapies such as talk therapy or standard exercise programs, only to find their symptoms persist. That’s because each person learns and heals in different ways—what helps one doesn’t always work for another. Traditional therapy often focuses on verbal communication and cognitive approaches, but not everyone processes experiences best through words alone. For individuals with fibromyalgia, whose nervous systems may be dysregulated or hypersensitive, this can make recovery frustrating and slow.

Different Modalities for Different Minds

We all have unique ways of learning and responding. Some people benefit most from visual or tactile experiences; others may respond to sound or movement. That’s why therapies such as art therapy and music therapy are gaining popularity among people with chronic pain and nervous system dysregulation.

• Art therapy uses creative expression—drawing, painting, sculpting—to access emotions and regulate stress when words fall short.

• Music therapy taps into the power of rhythm, sound, and movement to soothe the nervous system, reduce pain, and shift mood. Research shows music therapy improves pain, sleep quality, and even cognitive function for people with fibromyalgia.

Why Creative Therapies Help Regulate the Nervous System

Fibromyalgia is recognised as involving “nervous system dysregulation”—meaning the body’s stress and pain signals get stuck in overdrive. Standard talk or exercise therapies don’t always address these sensory roots. Creative therapies engage multiple senses, offering rhythmic, visual, and kinesthetic input that helps recalibrate the nervous system. In some studies, rhythmic drumming, painting, or movement-based dance therapies have led to improved heart rate variability—a key measure of nervous system regulation—alongside better pain control and emotional well-being.

If traditional therapies haven’t worked, don’t lose hope: exploring music, art, dance, or other creative therapies may open new doors for healing. It’s all about finding the approach that fits your individual mind and body.

This is why my online platform will include many different forms of learning and nervous system regulation techniques, to really help people who dont fit into the traditional one size fits all treatment therapy! I will also be sending updates on the platform, it is very really ready, and will be taking in the next cohort soon!

Stay Well

Dr Ahmed