After osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia is the most common rheumatologic disease. An abnormality in the neurological system makes one more sensitive to pain. It was only in the mid-2000s that guidelines to manage this disease were formed and drugs invented to manage it. One common treatment cannot work with all patients considering the number of symptoms and the health condition of each person. Hence, a combination of approaches works best to combat the condition. Medication, physical activity, and psychological therapy together have been the most effective.

Medication
Medicines that target the central nervous system like antidepressants and anticonvulsants are the approved medication for fibromyalgia. This medication will reduce the pain, help patients to sleep. Better sleep patterns reduce anxiety and depression. Regular sleep to a certain extent also controls fatigue and exhaustion. But sleep medication over a long period of time, can be ineffective and no longer induce sleep. Mild painkillers or even paracetamol can reduce pain as the symptoms start. But even these are not advised for regular consumption. Since the symptoms themselves fluctuate, medication can be used at the time of flare-ups rather than when they are mild. Most of the medication is safe but prolonged usage with high dosage can result in side effects.

Psychological therapy
This help patients deal with chronic pain. People who have chronic pain might develop anxiety and negative thoughts and complicate their problem. Most of the psychologists use an approach that involves the patient to talk about their thoughts and their coping mechanism. They also help patients to develop a positive approach as thoughts too can alleviate or intensify pain. Fixation on the pain and too many negative or repetitive thoughts can intensify pain. The focus should be to learn to relax and reduce anxiety through techniques like meditation, visualization, and breath control. Along with reducing anxiety, these techniques can also reduce the stress on our musculoskeletal system, thereby reducing pain. Professional therapy can also help one to be optimistic and help them regain control over their sickness than being daunted by it. They are also counseled to identify, express and channelize their emotions for their own improvement. They also recommend and make the patients commit to lifestyle changes and some kind of physical activity to manage their pain.

Physical activity
The third component for the treatment of fibromyalgia is exercise. Apart from improving blood circulation, and functioning of the heart and lungs, exercise plays a big role in strengthening muscles and making it flexible. Mild intensity aerobic exercises, walking, or cycling for about 30 minutes,  times a week is ideal to strengthen the muscles. Alternatively, one can start with at least 6 exercises to strengthen all muscles group and to improve balance, with 8 repetitions to start and gradually increasing it are recommended. There are many websites that have detailed step by step exercises with pictures which guide the patients. Flexibility exercises, stretching exercises, exercising in water, Tai-chi, yoga, and Pilates also help regain balance. Playing less strenuous sports, light sessions in the gym go a long way in helping in providing holistic treatment.