Fibromyalgia (FMS) community management programs include locally available Fibromyalgia specific programs, as well as other community and allied health group activities, which may benefit individual patients.

When participating in activities, patients with Fibromyalgia need to keep within their current daily limits and record their levels of participation. Patients are encouraged to keep a record and monitor so their feedback can be included in their Care Plans and Annual Reviews.

Fibromyalgia networking groups and workshops are important in self-management as they provide up-to-date information and strategies to help improve knowledge, shared decision making, communication with health care providers and improve quality of life.

These lifestyle strategies complement medical-based therapies and are based on proven education and cognitive behaviour techniques.

It is recommended that all activities are listed in Care Plans and Annual Management Reviews.

Courses available:

1. What is Fibromyalgia and Understanding Diagnosis?

• An introduction to Fibromyalgia, diagnosis and management
• Tailored Management, outcome-focused team care

2. Fibromyalgia Management and Annual Cycle of Care Workshops

This course contains a series of Fibromyalgia specific modules that rotate through an annual cycle.

1. Introduction to Management (review of Introductory Series)
2. Monitoring
3. Pacing
4. Pain
5. Sleep
6. Fatigue
7. Rest
8. Nutrition
9. Stress
10. Cognitive Issues
11. Movement/Exercise
12. Mental Wellbeing
13. Medications
14. Allied Health Referrals
15. Community Groups

3. Lay Persons Guide to Living with Fibromyalgia

A 3-hour introductory education seminar that provides explanations on Fibromyalgia and treatment expectations to empower people to live successfully with Fibromyalgia and communicate positively with their health care providers.

4. Fibromyalgia Self-Management Integrated Program (Australian)

This is a specialised rotating program moving through the core self-management topics throughout the year. It is conducted by accredited trainers.

5. Post Course Educational and Networking Groups

These are held monthly in community centres and via internet and phone link-ups to help people maintain their skills.

6. Fibromyalgia and Pain Modules

These modules are based on the multi-disciplinary approaches to pain, stress reduction and movement.

7. Coping with Movement and Exercise

This provides practical strategies to enable people living with pain and fatigue to participate in movement and exercise programs.

8. Specialist Australian online courses for people with chronic conditions including Pain

The eCentreClinic is a specialist research clinic and a not-for-profit initiative of Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. They develop and evaluate state-of-the-art free online treatment courses for people with common mental health and chronic physical health conditions.

9. Campbell: Managing ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia: (online-courses)

Online ME/Fibromyalgia courses available as at 1^st November 2020 include:

• Introductory Course
• Living Your Plan
• Alumni Discussion Group
• Treating ME/CFS and FM Self Study
• Logging Tutorial
• Family Members Course 

10. Lapp and Campbell: Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: (online course)

A Free Online Self-Study Course ‘Develop an individualised treatment plan in this self-paced, online self-study course’.

For more information and the latest South Australian timetable please contact us.