# #34 Fibromyalgia and chronic pain management with Ryan Bourdo, Physical Therapist

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/make-visible-chronic-illness-explored-7015207/34-fibromyalgia-and-chronic-pain-management-with-ryan-bourdo-physical-therapist
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/make-visible-chronic-illness-explored-7015207/34-fibromyalgia-and-chronic-pain-management-with-ryan-bourdo-physical-therapist.md
Podcast: [Make Visible: ME/CFS, Long Covid, POTS, EDS, Fibro & MCAS Explored](https://stenobird.com/podcast/make-visible-chronic-illness-explored-7015207)
Published: 2026-05-15T18:26:17+00:00
Episode link: https://madevisible.podbean.com/e/34-fibromyalgia-and-chronic-pain-management-with-ryan-bourdo-physical-therapist/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/cw44ykzde8rzr9mj/Visible_S1_Ep34_Ryan_Bourdo.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/make-visible-chronic-illness-explored-7015207/episodes/34-fibromyalgia-and-chronic-pain-management-with-ryan-bourdo-physical-therapist
Duration seconds: 3313

## Resource

If you live with fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, EDS or chronic pain, you may have been told that exercise can help — but also learned that pushing too hard can worsen symptoms. In this episode, physical therapist Ryan Bourdo (Oregon Health & Science University, Portland) explains how individualised, patient-led rehabilitation strategies can support quality of life without becoming an added burden. Ryan specialises in fibromyalgia, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and related conditions, using a compassionate, listening-first approach to care. We’re also joined by occupational therapist Amy Mooney, founder of OT4ME, who shares insights from more than 20 years working with ME/CFS, Long Covid, EDS, MCAS and Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM). Together, we explore pacing, movement, rest, low-stress rehabilitation, and why treating patients as individuals is essential for meaningful care. Topics include: • Movement and chronic pain management • Why rehabilitation must be tailored to the individual • Listening to patients with energy-limiting conditions • Understanding rest, pacing and Post-Exertional Malaise • Creating sustainable, low-stress therapy strategies • Finding manageable ways to improve daily life makevisible.com @visible.health podfeedback@makevisible.com

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