After repeated setbacks with CRPS, it makes sense to feel wary of trying anything new. But taking the next step doesn't have to mean pushing through pain. It can start with something small, like a single movement you can tolerate. I explain how graded exposure, mirror therapy and graded motor imagery may help, why the emotional toll matters too, and how progress can look different from immediate pain relief.

Burning pain, swelling, skin changes, and sensitivity so intense that even clothing hurts. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) can be confusing, especially when your pain far outweighs the original injury and scans don't explain it. Understanding how the nervous system amplifies and maintains pain can help you make sense of your symptoms, and it's a starting point for exploring nervous-system-informed treatment that may support symptom management and daily function.

Is it your joints, your fatigue, or something else entirely? When you live with hypermobility alongside conditions like POTS, MCAS, chronic pain or ME/CFS, it can be hard to know where one ends and another begins. That's why focusing on joint stability alone may not be enough. Find out why these conditions often overlap, how strength work and pacing can be adapted to your symptoms, and what a whole-picture approach involves.

Exercises that work for someone else won't always suit hypermobile joints, especially if you live with pain, instability or frequent injuries. Strength training for hypermobility can be less about heavier weights or bigger ranges and more about building control and stability around the joints that need it. I share how assessment shapes where you start, why a controlled range matters, common mistakes to avoid, and an example weekly routine.

If you've been told you'll 'just have to live with' fibromyalgia, it can be hard to imagine feeling better. While there's no established cure, meaningful improvement is possible for some people. I explore what recovery can actually look like, from fewer flare-ups to returning to activities that once felt out of reach, along with how pain sensitisation works, what can make progress feel difficult, and the first steps towards change.

Fibromyalgia treatment isn't a single program or a quick fix, and if you've already tried several approaches, that can be hard to hear. At Heal & Thrive, I tailor support to your symptoms, goals and current capacity, drawing on pacing and movement, pain education, nervous system regulation and lifestyle coaching. I also walk you through what happens in your first appointment, so you know exactly what to expect.

You've been exhausted all day, yet the moment you get into bed, your body won't switch off. With fibromyalgia, this tired-but-wired feeling is common, and poor sleep can make pain harder to manage in return. Discover why the sleep-pain cycle happens, how a gentle wind-down routine and comfortable sleep environment may help, what to try when you're lying awake at 2 am, and when to seek further support.

'But you don't look sick.' If you live with fibromyalgia, you've probably heard it more than once. Because your symptoms are often invisible, explaining them to the people around you can feel exhausting. This post offers simple ways to describe what's happening in your nervous system, ask family and friends for practical support, discuss workplace adjustments with your employer, and set boundaries when someone dismisses your experience, with handy scripts for each conversation.

Pacing with fibromyalgia isn't about doing as little as possible. It's about finding a sustainable balance between activity and rest, so you can do more of what matters without 'paying' for it later. Learn more about proactive pacing, the boom-bust cycle, and how to find your activity baseline and activity-to-rest ratio, plus practical ways to break up everyday tasks and a simple pacing plan you can use today.

When a fibromyalgia flare-up hits, it can feel like everything hurts at once. Pushing through rarely helps, but understanding what's happening can make a real difference. In this post, I explain why more pain doesn't necessarily mean more damage, what commonly triggers a flare, and practical ways to pace, rest, move and settle your nervous system, plus a simple action plan to help you respond with less fear and self-blame.