Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain

You’ve Been Told the Pain Is ‘All in Your Head.’ It Isn’t. And We Can Help.

Fibromyalgia and chronic pain conditions are real, measurable, and — with the right approach — treatable. If you’ve been struggling with widespread pain, fatigue, and a healthcare system that seems unable to explain or adequately address your symptoms, you’re not alone. And you’re not out of options.

At Healing Star Physical Therapy and Wellness, we understand the complex nature of chronic pain and fibromyalgia, and we take a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that addresses both the physical and neurological components of these conditions. We serve patients throughout Monmouth County, including Eatontown, Freehold, Tinton Falls, Red Bank, and surrounding communities.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a complex chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties (often called ‘fibro fog’). It affects an estimated 4 million Americans — the majority of whom are women, though men and children can also be affected.

The underlying mechanism of fibromyalgia is now well understood: it is a disorder of central sensitization — a state in which the central nervous system becomes hypersensitized to pain signals, amplifying normal inputs into disproportionate pain responses. The nervous system’s ‘volume knob’ for pain is turned up too high, causing even light touch or gentle pressure to register as significant pain.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is typically defined as pain persisting for more than three months — longer than would be expected from tissue healing alone. Unlike acute pain, which signals active injury, chronic pain often persists due to changes in the central and peripheral nervous system that outlast the original injury or illness. Conditions we commonly treat that involve chronic pain include:

Chronic low back pain (without clear structural cause)
Chronic neck pain and cervicogenic headaches
Myofascial pain syndrome — widespread trigger points and muscle tightness
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Chronic pelvic pain
Post-COVID chronic pain and fatigue
Post-surgical chronic pain
Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) — with physical therapy component

Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Widespread musculoskeletal pain — aching, burning, or stabbing pain that moves or is present throughout the body

Fatigue — often severe, present even after adequate sleep

Sleep disturbances — difficulty falling or staying asleep; non-restorative sleep

Cognitive difficulties (‘fibro fog’) — trouble concentrating, memory lapses, mental cloudiness

Heightened sensitivity — to light, sound, temperature, and touch

Headaches and migraines

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — common co-occurring condition

Anxiety and depression — frequently associated with chronic pain conditions

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain — jaw pain and dysfunction

Tender points — localized areas of heightened sensitivity throughout the body

Our Approach to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain

Effective treatment of fibromyalgia and chronic pain requires an approach that respects the true nature of these conditions — not as structural pathology to be ‘fixed,’ but as a nervous system that has learned to produce more pain than the situation warrants. Our approach is graded, compassionate, and based on the best available evidence.

Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE)

One of the most powerful tools in chronic pain management is education. Understanding why your nervous system is producing pain — and what that means about your body’s safety — can meaningfully reduce pain intensity and catastrophizing. Your therapist will explain the science of central sensitization in plain language and help you develop a more accurate, empowering model of your pain.

Graded Exercise and Movement Restoration

Exercise is one of the most well-supported treatments for fibromyalgia and chronic pain — but it must be introduced carefully and progressively to avoid triggering flare-ups. We use a graded exposure approach: starting with activities well within your tolerance and systematically expanding them over time. This gradually desensitizes the nervous system and rebuilds physical capacity without triggering protective pain responses.

Manual Therapy

Gentle, skilled hands-on treatment helps restore mobility in restricted joints and release muscle tightness that accumulates from guarding and disuse. Manual therapy also provides meaningful pain relief through neurophysiological mechanisms — reducing central sensitization and normalizing tissue sensitivity in treated areas.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is particularly effective for myofascial pain syndrome — which frequently co-occurs with fibromyalgia — by deactivating trigger points that are amplifying pain signals throughout the body. At Healing Star PT, dry needling can be paired with electrical stimulation for enhanced muscle relaxation and pain relief. Treatment intensity is carefully calibrated for patients with central sensitization to avoid post-treatment flares.

Class IV Laser Therapy

Laser therapy provides non-invasive, drug-free pain relief by reducing local inflammation, improving circulation, and stimulating the release of endorphins. It is particularly valuable for patients who need pain relief to participate more fully in exercise and movement-based treatment.

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Training

For patients with significant deconditioning — common in fibromyalgia and chronic pain — BFR training allows meaningful strength building at very low exercise intensities. This makes it possible to gain strength without the pain that often accompanies higher-load exercise, allowing gradual progression without triggering setbacks.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Managing fibromyalgia and chronic pain is a process, not a quick fix. Flare-ups are a normal part of the journey and do not mean you are going backward. Progress is measured in weeks and months, not days. Our team is committed to walking that journey with you — adjusting the program as needed, celebrating meaningful milestones, and providing the education and support you need to sustain progress over the long term.

We also recognize that fibromyalgia and chronic pain often require multidisciplinary care. We work collaboratively with rheumatologists, pain management physicians, psychologists, and primary care providers to ensure your care is well-coordinated and comprehensive.

Do I Need a Referral?

New Jersey is a direct-access state — you can begin physical therapy without a physician’s referral. If you have a confirmed diagnosis of fibromyalgia or a complex chronic pain condition, we welcome the opportunity to review any prior evaluations or imaging, and to coordinate with your current care team.

Eatontown, NJ: 145 Wyckoff Rd, Suite 102 — (848) 208-2721

Freehold, NJ: 501 Iron Bridge Road, Suite 2 — (732) 272-1438

Ready to experience the Healing Star difference?

Book an appointment and take the first step toward feeling better.

Request an appointment (848) 208-2721