Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a disorder classified by the presence of chronic widespread pain and tactile allodynia. Studies have shown that stress is a significant precipitating factor in the development of fibromyalgia,and that PTSD is linked with fibromyalgia. The Amital study found that 49% of PTSD patients fulfilled the criteria for FMS, compared with none of the controls. Stress can alter the function of the HPA axis and change cortisol levels in the body, leading to widespread pain.

An alternate hypothesis regarding the development of fibromyalgia in relationship to stress proposes that the disorder may be a psychosomatic illness has been described by John E. Sarno's "tension myositis syndrome", which hypothesizes that chronic pain is caused by the mind's subconscious strategy of distracting painful or dangerous emotions. Education, attitude change, and in some cases, psychotherapy are proposed as treatments.

Because fibromyalgia is stress related Shou' Shu' training can also be extremely helpful at treating it. We've seen several instances of near complete recoveries from fibromyalgia sufferers in which the sufferer completely attributes the recovery to training in Shou' Shu'.

Unfortunately most fibromyalgia sufferers would not consider training in Shou' Shu'. It takes a great deal of education to convince them of it. We hope to be able to develop education in this area to assist fibromyalgia sufferers with recovery.