Fibromyalgia Treatment in Novato
Fibromyalgia treatment in Novato, CA: gentle, low-force chiropractic care to ease muscle tension and stiffness alongside your medical team. Book a consult.
Chiropractic care for fibromyalgia
Get to the root of your fibromyalgia
Also known as: Fibromyalgia Syndrome, Widespread Chronic Pain, Fibro
Fibromyalgia can feel all-encompassing — widespread pain that moves around, deep fatigue, restless nights, and tender spots that hurt when you barely touch them. At DeSalvo Chiropractic, Dr. Douglas DeSalvo works alongside your medical team to offer gentle, drug-free fibromyalgia treatment in Novato, CA, tailored to how you feel on any given day. We don't promise a cure — we do promise to listen, take your pain seriously, and work with you toward easier movement and more comfortable days.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
- ✓Widespread aching or burning pain on both sides of the body
- ✓Tender points around the neck, shoulders, chest, hips, and knees
- ✓Persistent fatigue that isn't relieved by rest
- ✓Unrefreshing sleep or difficulty staying asleep
- ✓Cognitive difficulties — memory lapses or trouble concentrating
- ✓Morning stiffness lasting more than 15–30 minutes
- ✓Headaches and heightened sensitivity to light, sound, or temperature
Common causes
- Central sensitization — an overactive pain-processing system
- Physical trauma such as a car accident, injury, or surgery
- Prolonged psychological stress or post-traumatic stress
- Infections that appear to trigger or worsen symptoms
- Hormonal and neurochemical dysregulation
- Genetics combined with environmental triggers
- Sleep disturbances that feed into a pain-fatigue cycle
Our approach
How we treat fibromyalgia in Novato
- Step 1
Thorough intake
We review your full history, current medications, and provider team before touching you. Understanding your baseline lets us match treatment intensity to what your nervous system can tolerate that day — not a fixed protocol.
- Step 2
A realistic, coordinated plan
You leave your first visit with a plain-English explanation of how we can help and — just as importantly — where your limits are. We communicate with your medical team and stay in our lane.
- Step 3
Gentle treatment & movement
Low-force adjustments, targeted soft-tissue work, and progressive corrective exercise aim to ease pain and muscle tension and rebuild mobility at a pace that respects your flare pattern.
The basics
Understanding fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is widely understood to involve central sensitization — meaning the nervous system amplifies pain signals so that stimuli that shouldn't hurt, do. The exact cause isn't fully understood, but it often follows a physical trauma, illness, or prolonged stress, and it disproportionately affects women. Diagnosis is made by a physician, based on widespread pain lasting at least three months along with symptoms such as fatigue and unrefreshing sleep, once other conditions are ruled out.
Because fibromyalgia involves the whole nervous system, no single treatment fixes it — and we're honest about that. What conservative care aims to do is ease the musculoskeletal load that can make flares worse. Gentle adjustments address joint restriction, soft-tissue work eases tight muscles, and gentle exercise supports mobility. As one part of a multidisciplinary plan that includes your physician and other providers, chiropractic care may help some patients have more comfortable days.
One visit. Real answers. A plan made for you.
Reserved for new patients: an unhurried first visit with Dr. DeSalvo himself. Your one-on-one consultation, comprehensive exam, muscle and nerve function assessment and first treatment, plus a care plan designed around you, all for $97.
What your New Patient Special includes
- A one-on-one consultation with Dr. DeSalvo
- A comprehensive exam
- A muscle & nerve function assessment
- Your first treatment
- A customized care plan, built around your goals
New patients only, one per person. X-rays are not included. If you choose to continue care, your care plan and its pricing are discussed with you up front. Not available for automobile-accident or personal-injury cases. Read the full New Patient Special disclaimer.
Fibromyalgia patterns we help manage
Fibromyalgia doesn’t look the same in every patient, and the musculoskeletal components we can address vary. We regularly work with Novato-area patients experiencing:
- Widespread axial pain — diffuse aching through the spine, neck, and hips that overlaps with back pain and neck pain and responds to gentle spinal work.
- Tender-point flares — concentrated soreness around the neck, shoulders, upper chest, and hips that often overlaps with shoulder pain and hip pain; soft-tissue work and low-force adjustments may offer temporary relief.
- Sleep-disrupted pain cycles — fibromyalgia and poor sleep feed each other; easing muscle tension and staying gently active are part of the overall management plan your medical team leads.
- Fibro headaches — many fibromyalgia patients experience frequent headaches linked to upper cervical restriction and muscle tension, which we address alongside the broader pain pattern.
- Post-flare rehab — gentle, progressive corrective exercise helps rebuild tolerance and mobility after a bad flare without triggering a new one.
Every visit is adapted to how you’re feeling that day — we never push through a flare.
When to see a chiropractor in Novato
If you’ve been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chiropractic care is worth discussing whenever:
- Spinal, neck, or hip pain is a dominant part of your symptom picture
- Muscle tension and stiffness are limiting your ability to move or exercise
- You’re looking to reduce medication load as one goal in a broader plan
- Your physician has suggested adding conservative, hands-on care to your plan
- Your current medical management is helping but you still have significant pain days
Seek urgent medical care if you develop new neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control), a sudden severe headache unlike your usual pattern, or fever alongside your pain — these may signal something unrelated to fibromyalgia that needs immediate evaluation.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first appointment takes about 45–60 minutes. Fibromyalgia visits are intentionally slower-paced and lower-force than a standard chiropractic intake:
- Thorough intake conversation — we spend real time on your history, current medications, provider team, typical flare pattern, and what you’ve already tried.
- Gentle physical assessment — we evaluate joint mobility and soft-tissue tension without aggressive testing that could provoke a flare; we confirm you’re a safe candidate for manual care.
- Honest plan overview — you leave with a clear picture of what we can realistically help with, what we can’t, and how we’ll communicate with your existing healthcare team.
- Low-force first treatment when appropriate — many patients receive a gentle initial treatment the same day; we start conservatively and build from there based on how your body responds.
You are never locked into a rigid protocol — your plan flexes with your condition.
Drug-free fibromyalgia relief — without medication or surgery
Medication plays a legitimate role in fibromyalgia management for many patients, and we support whatever your physician has prescribed. But chiropractic care adds something medications can’t provide — hands-on work on joint mobility and muscle tension, and a progressive movement plan that helps counter the deconditioning cycle fibromyalgia can create. Surgery is not a treatment for fibromyalgia. For Novato-area patients, gentle chiropractic adjustment, myofascial release, and corrective exercise work best as part of a coordinated multidisciplinary plan — not a replacement for your medical care, but a meaningful addition to it. If your exam ever reveals something that needs a different level of care, we’ll tell you honestly and help coordinate the referral.
Why Novato-area patients choose DeSalvo Chiropractic
Fibromyalgia patients in Novato and across Marin County choose us because we listen carefully, set honest expectations, and adapt every visit to where you are that day — not a predetermined protocol. Dr. DeSalvo takes the time to understand your history and applies the same careful, conservative approach to fibromyalgia that he brings to every case.
We don’t claim to cure fibromyalgia. We do commit to working toward more comfortable, functional days with you — and to being a genuine partner alongside the rest of your healthcare team.
Ready to see if chiropractic care belongs in your fibromyalgia plan? Our New Patient Special makes the first step easy, and you can book an appointment online in under a minute.
Why choose chiropractic
Chiropractic care vs. the typical fibromyalgia routine
| Comparison factor | Chiropractic Care | Medication Alone |
|---|---|---|
| Addresses musculoskeletal drivers | ✓Joint and muscle work | ✕Systemic medication only |
| Drug-free & non-invasive | ✓Always | ✕No |
| Risk of side effects | ✓Minimal | ✕Higher (long-term meds) |
| Personalised to your flares | ✓Adjusted each visit | ✕One-size-fits-all |
| Supports mobility and activity | ✓Built into the plan | ✕Seldom addressed directly |
| Works with your medical team | ✓Coordinated, communicative | ✕Often siloed |
Treatment options
Services we use to relieve fibromyalgia
Chiropractic Care
Gentle, precise chiropractic adjustments in Novato, CA that restore motion to restricted joints and relieve back pain, neck pain, and headaches at the source.
Learn more →Arthrostim Adjusting
Gentle Arthrostim adjusting in Novato, CA — rapid, low-force instrument impulses help restore joint motion without twisting or cracking. Book your first visit.
Learn more →Myofascial Release
Myofascial release in Novato, CA — slow, sustained hands-on pressure that frees tight fascia to ease neck, back, shoulder, and arm pain. Book your first visit.
Learn more →Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy in Novato, CA — corrective exercise, manual therapy, and rehab that rebuild strength and help keep back, neck, and shoulder pain from returning.
Learn more →Laser Therapy
Laser therapy in Novato, CA — Class IV and low-level laser that helps calm inflammation and ease soft-tissue and joint pain, with no downtime. Book a visit.
Learn more →Related conditions
Other conditions we treat in Novato
Patient reviews
What our Novato patients say
“I had a great experience at DeSalvo Chiropractic! Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and professional, and I felt comfortable from the moment I walked in. They took the time to listen to my concerns and made sure I understood what they were doing throughout my visit.”
“Great chiropractic service! The staff was friendly and professional, and I felt comfortable throughout my visit. The treatment was helpful, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for quality chiropractic care.”
“I am an avid tennis player with the usual tennis injuries and Dr. Desalvo has helped me play again without pain!”
What causes fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is widely thought to involve central sensitization — the nervous system becomes hypersensitive and amplifies pain signals. It often follows trauma, illness, or chronic stress, and likely involves a combination of genetics, hormonal changes, and neurochemical factors. There is no single cause and no single cure, which is why a multidisciplinary approach works best.
Can a chiropractor help fibromyalgia?
It may — as one part of a broader care plan. Chiropractic care aims to ease the musculoskeletal pain and tension that can contribute to fibromyalgia flares, improve joint mobility, and reduce muscle tightness. We work alongside your physician and other providers rather than replacing them.
How many visits will I need?
There is no fixed endpoint with fibromyalgia — it's a chronic condition that's managed, not cured. After your exam, Dr. DeSalvo outlines a realistic initial care phase with clear goals, then we reassess together. Some patients come in during flares; others maintain a regular low-frequency schedule.
Will chiropractic cure my fibromyalgia?
No — and we won't tell you otherwise. Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition without a known cure. What conservative care aims to do is ease pain and muscle tension and help you have more comfortable days. Honest expectations are part of every care plan we build.
Is chiropractic treatment safe for fibromyalgia patients?
Yes, when delivered by a provider who understands the condition. We use low-force techniques, adapt pressure to your sensitivity level, and screen for any contraindications on the first visit. If a technique causes a flare, we adjust immediately.
Will my insurance cover fibromyalgia chiropractic care?
Many major plans cover chiropractic care for musculoskeletal pain, which is typically how fibromyalgia visits are coded. Share your insurance details before your first visit and we'll verify your benefits so there are no surprises.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor in California?
No referral is needed in California. If you've already been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, bring any records or lab work — it helps us understand your history and coordinate with your medical team from day one.
How does fibromyalgia relate to back pain and neck pain?
Fibromyalgia pain often involves the neck and low back — areas we already treat with chiropractic care for back pain and neck pain. Many fibro patients also have joint restrictions and muscle tightness that gentle adjustments and soft-tissue work can address, alongside the central sensitization component your medical team manages.
Can gentle soft-tissue work help fibromyalgia?
For many patients, yes. Myofascial release and other gentle soft-tissue techniques are generally well tolerated by people with fibromyalgia. We use light pressure and work within your comfort zone — deep-tissue work is typically avoided or reserved for very specific areas once we know your response.
What should I tell my chiropractor about my fibromyalgia?
Bring a list of your current medications and supplements, the name of your prescribing physician, your pain pattern over the last month, and any known triggers. The more we know upfront, the better we can calibrate your first treatment.