For more than 40 years our charity has supported people living with multiple sclerosis and other long-term neurological conditions. During that time we have seen how combining different therapies, rather than relying on a single intervention, can help people better manage complex symptoms such as pain, fatigue, reduced mobility and poor quality of life.
Over the past year we have been approached by local healthcare professionals and community organisations who told us that many people living with fibromyalgia struggle to find ongoing support after diagnosis. While fibromyalgia is different from MS, many of the symptoms experienced by people with the condition overlap with those we help people manage every day.
That prompted us to ask an important question:
Could some of the therapies that benefit people attending our Centre also help people living with fibromyalgia?
To explore this, we have developed a new 12-week Fibromyalgia Symptom Management Programme.
Rather than focusing on a single treatment, the programme combines carefully selected therapies into a structured weekly session designed to support symptom management. Depending on your preferences and suitability, sessions may include:
A gentle exercise programme specifically designed for people with fibromyalgia, or Qigong.
Oxygen Therapy, where you breathe oxygen in a pressurised chamber under the supervision of trained staff.
Action Potential Simulation (APS), a low-level electrical stimulation therapy used to help manage pain.
This structured approach reflects what we have learned over many years supporting people with complex neurological conditions—small improvements from different therapies may combine to produce meaningful improvements in day-to-day quality of life.
Because this is an innovative programme, we are carefully measuring its impact. Everyone taking part is asked to complete the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR) before starting and again after 12 weeks. This allows us to understand whether participants experience changes in symptoms, daily function and overall quality of life, helping us continue to refine and improve the programme.
Weekly Sessions
Sessions are currently available:
Mondays from 3.00 pm
Tuesdays from 4:15 pm
Fridays from 11.00 am
Each visit lasts up to three hours, allowing time for your chosen therapies as well as opportunities to meet others living with fibromyalgia in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Programme Costs
We have reduced the cost of therapies to make participation as affordable as possible.
Exercise + APS: £14 per session
Exercise + Oxygen Therapy: £32 per session
Exercise + Oxygen Therapy + APS: £39 per session
Payment can be made in advance in blocks or weekly if that is easier.
Before You Start
Before beginning the programme we ask everyone to:
Complete a simple registration form.
Read the Oxygen Therapy User Guide (if choosing oxygen therapy).
Complete the Oxygen Therapy medical questionnaire.
Complete the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire Revised (FIQR).
We will also discuss your medical history with you to ensure the therapies are suitable. APS is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions such as recent cancer treatment, epilepsy, pacemakers or pregnancy, and we'll guide you through this during your first visit.
If you would like to find out more, you're very welcome to visit the Centre before deciding whether the programme is right for you. We'd be happy to show you around, explain the therapies and answer any questions.
We asked Helen, who is accessing exercise and oxygen therapy weekly, what if any difference the programme has made to her. This is what she told us:
"I’m about half way through the 12-week fibromyalgia support programme. I noticed some improvements to daily life pretty quickly.
My sleep had improved, especially on the evenings when I’ve had the oxygen therapy that day. I have also experienced fewer headaches. The most profound improvement - and this is hard to explain to someone who doesn’t have fibro - is that I’ve had no episodes of ‘fizzing’ - a feeling that feels like mini electric shocks or pins and needles tingling which can be all over, but for me would be on my face and head, usually when I was exhausted. It’s not happened at all, and it used to be at least a couple of times a week.
What I didn’t appreciate before starting the course was the human interaction part. It’s lovely to meet people experiencing the same issues, and to be able to talk about ailments, worries, and to find that you’re not alone. Having an invisible illness can be hard because on the surface you don’t look ill, and people who don’t have it will never really ‘get it’. We also get to have a laugh and a chat. And the people running the courses are super friendly too. I’ve laughed a lot more than I thought I would!"
If you would like to reserve a place, simply call 01234 325781 or email admin@mscentrebedsandnorthants.com and let us know:
Which day you would prefer to attend.
Which therapies you are most interested in trying.
We will then send you everything you need to get started.
We hope this programme offers a new source of support for people living with fibromyalgia, and we'd be delighted to welcome you to the Centre.