If you live with fibromyalgia, you’re not “being dramatic”—you’re dealing with a real, complex condition. Many of the people I see arrive feeling dismissed or told that “everything looks normal.” Fibromyalgia can amplify how the nervous system processes touch and pain, and it often travels with fatigue, poor sleep, and “brain fog.” The good news: when care is personalized, paced, and hands-on, people can feel and function better.
My lens as a clinician
I’m a physical therapist and Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS). Over three decades in practice, I’ve blended osteopathic, hands-on manual therapy with a holistic, whole-body assessment. I look at the nervous, muscular, skeletal, and lymphatic systems together, so I address root causes—not just chase symptoms.
What I’ll do at your first visit
- Listen and map your story. I’ll clarify where pain shows up, what flares it, your sleep/stress picture, and what a “good day” looks like.
- Whole-body movement screen. I assess posture, gait, breathing mechanics, spine/rib mobility, and myofascial tension patterns.
- Gentle hands-on treatment. Expect myofascial release, soft-tissue work, and joint mobilization—always below your flare threshold.
- Right-sized plan. I match the “dose” of movement to your nervous system and build gradually with clear, repeatable steps.
Core pillars of managing fibromyalgia
1) Move—gently and consistently
Movement is medicine, but the dose matters. I start low and build slow: short, low-impact aerobic work (walking, cycling, or water-based sessions), light strengthening, and mobility.
2) Hands-on care to lower the guard
Osteopathic manual therapy (myofascial release, soft-tissue techniques, and gentle joint mobilization) aims to reduce protective muscle guarding, improve glide between tissues, and restore motion options—so daily activity becomes more doable.
3) Education that changes the experience of pain
Understanding how a sensitized nervous system behaves can decrease fear and improve pacing. I’ll practice breathwork and simple body-awareness strategies to help you down-shift tension during the day.
4) Sleep and stress support
Consistent sleep and stress-management skills are foundational, not optional. I’ll craft a wind-down routine and use short, repeatable relaxation drills. Counseling approaches like CBT can also help with coping and resilience.
5) Pacing beats pushing
On good days it’s tempting to do “all the things,” then crash. I set activity guardrails so you can do a little less than you think you can today—and repeat it tomorrow. Consistency > intensity.
A simple starter plan (to be customized after your evaluation)
- Daily (10–15 minutes): Breath-guided mobility for the neck, rib cage, and hips; two “movement snacks” (5–8 minutes of relaxed walking).
- 2×/week: Light strength circuit (sit-to-stand, wall push-ups, supported rows, heel/toe raises), 1 set of 6–10 easy reps to start.
- 1–2×/week: Optional pool session if available—water supports movement with less load.
- Every day: Quick pacing check: Can I do slightly less and still repeat it tomorrow?
Note: This article is educational and not a prescription. I’ll tailor a plan after a full evaluation.
Common questions I hear
Will manual therapy hurt? My intent is to quiet the system. I start gently and work below your flare threshold while restoring motion.
How long until I notice change? Many people notice small wins—easier turning, less stiffness—within a few sessions, with larger gains building over weeks of steady, right-sized activity.
What if I’ve “failed” PT before? That’s common. Fibromyalgia care improves when it’s one-on-one, individualized, and paced to your nervous system—exactly how I structure care.
Ready when you are
I offer extended, one-on-one sessions by appointment so I can do the careful work this condition deserves.
- Phone: (443) 610-7022
- Email: micheleleasure@aol.com
- Address: 56 June Rd, North Salem, NY 10560