Chronic widespread pain in young people: What We Know and How to Support Recovery

Chronic widespread pain in young people: What We Know and How to Support Recovery

When pain just won’t settle 

Every young person feels sore or tired sometimes — after sport, late nights, or a busy school week. But what if the pain doesn’t go away? What if your child wakes up each morning feeling achy and exhausted, struggles to focus, and can’t keep up with normal activities — no matter how much rest they get? 

That’s when parents start to wonder: is this something more? 

At The Pain Collective, we often meet families in this position — worried, frustrated, and unsure what’s happening. When a child or teenager experiences widespread aches, fatigue, sleep problems, and increased sensitivity to pain that lasts for several months, we use the term chronic widespread pain, but you may also hear it referred to as juvenile fibromyalgia (or juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome). 

It can sound daunting, but there’s good news: young people recover well when they’re given the right mix of understanding, reassurance, and evidence-based care. 

What is chronic widespread pain in young people? 

Chronic widespread pain isn’t about damage or inflammation. It’s about how the nervous system becomes more sensitive — almost like the body’s “volume switch” for pain has been turned up. This sensitivity can make everyday sensations feel uncomfortable or painful. 

Common symptoms include: 

  • Aching in several parts of the body (often muscles, joints, or limbs) 

  • Tiredness, even after sleep 

  • Sleep that doesn’t feel refreshing 

  • “Brain fog” or trouble concentrating 

  • Headaches or abdominal discomfort 

  • Mood changes, frustration, or worry about school and social life 

Symptoms can fluctuate — some days are better, others more difficult — but it doesn’t mean the pain is imagined or exaggerated. It’s real, and it’s manageable. 

How chronic widespread pain is diagnosed 

There’s no single test for chronic widespread pain, and that can be confusing for families. Diagnosis is based on patterns — what the pain feels like, how long it’s been present, and how it affects daily life. 

Your child’s clinician may run some basic tests to rule out other causes like inflammation, thyroid changes, or vitamin deficiencies, but once these are excluded, the focus shifts to supporting function and recovery. 

The key message we share with families is: a clear diagnosis is the start of recovery, not a label that defines the future. 

What helps — and what doesn’t 

Over the past decade, research and experience have taught us a lot about what actually helps young people recover from chronic widespread pain. 

Here’s what we know works best: 

1. Movement and exercise 

Gentle, gradual, regular movement is one of the most effective tools.

It might start with short walks, stretching, swimming, or any other movement that your child enjoys — just enough to reintroduce the body to safe movement. Over time, this retrains the nervous system and builds confidence. 

The goal isn’t to push through pain, but to move consistently, even in small amounts, so that the brain relearns that movement is safe. 

2. Education, Psychology and coping support 

Pain can change how we think and feel — and how we participate in life.  

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and similar approaches help young people manage worry, build resilience, and gradually return to normal routines. 

Parents are often part of this process too, learning how to encourage activity without pressure. 

3. Sleep and daily rhythm 

Good sleep is the body’s reset button. 

We work with families to build predictable routines — regular sleep and wake times, limiting screens before bed, and creating a calm evening environment. It sounds simple, but it’s often one of the most powerful parts of recovery. 

4. Education and understanding 

When families understand that chronic widespread pain involves a sensitive nervous system — not damage — it removes fear. Understanding what is going on is the first step to taking back control. Therapeutic pain science education is a type of treatment that emphasises learning about pain to make it less scary. 

Once children realise that pain doesn’t always mean harm, they feel safer to move, socialise, and re-engage with life again. 

5. Medical support (when needed) 

Sometimes medications are used short-term to help with sleep or mood, but they are not the main treatment. 

The best outcomes come from active rehabilitation, not rest or reliance on medication. 

Why a team approach works 

Recovery is rarely about one single thing. It’s about a coordinated approach — movement, understanding, emotional support, and gradual return to normal life. 

At The Pain Collective, our team brings these elements together: 

  • Occupational therapists provide therapeutic pain science education, work on pacing, daily routines, and school adjustments. 

  • Physiotherapists guide safe, graded activity and help young people reconnect with their bodies. 

  • Psychologists support emotional wellbeing and resilience. 

  • Paediatricians oversee care, making sure any medical concerns are addressed early. 

This teamwork ensures that treatment is tailored, empowering, and family-centred — not one-size-fits-all. 

What parents and schools can do 

Small changes at home and school can make a big difference: 

  • Once a diagnosis is confirmed - communicate consistently about pain as an oversensitive alarm 

  • Keep days predictable — gentle structure helps energy management. 

  • Encourage small bursts of activity rather than long stretches of rest. 

  • Celebrate small wins — attending class, walking the dog, joining friends. 

  • Maintain connection — social interaction and fun are therapeutic. 

  • Communicate with the school — a gradual return-to-school plan is better than long absences. 

We often remind parents that recovery doesn’t mean being pain-free every day. It means reclaiming life, little by little, adding the fun stuff, until pain stops taking over and being the centre of it. 

When to seek extra help 

It’s time to get specialist input if your child’s pain: 

  • Has lasted longer than three months 

  • Is affecting school attendance or sport 

  • Is linked with sleep problems, low mood, or anxiety 

  • Hasn’t improved with gentle movement and reassurance 

Early referral to a team experienced in paediatric pain and rehabilitation can prevent long-term difficulties and restore confidence sooner. 

A message of hope 

Chronic widespread pain in young people is real — but it’s also recoverable. 
With the right understanding, support, and step-by-step plan, most children and teens make meaningful progress and regain full, active lives. 

At The Pain Collective, we see this every week: kids who start out anxious, tired, and sore, find their rhythm again through small, consistent changes. They rediscover movement, laughter, and confidence — and that’s where real healing begins. 

FAQs 

Is chronic widespread pain permanent? 
No, it doesn’t have to be — most young people improve significantly with time, movement, and the right support. The nervous system can calm down and reset. 

Will my child always need therapy or medication? 
No. These are tools for recovery, not lifelong solutions. The goal is independence and resilience. 

Should my child rest when they’re in pain? 
Short rests are fine, but too much rest can make pain sensitivity worse. Gentle activity, even in small steps, helps more in the long run. 

Can chronic widespread pain affect school life? 
Yes, but flexible school support — part-time schedules, rest breaks, and teacher understanding — can make returning to learning much easier. 

Final thoughts 

Chronic widespread pain doesn’t have to define a child’s future. It can be a temporary chapter - one that can lead to greater understanding, resilience, and strength. 

Recovery is not about “fixing” the body; it’s about helping the nervous system calm down, rebuilding movement confidence, and reconnecting with normal life. 

At The Pain Collective, we walk this path with families every day. With the right plan, compassion, and persistence, most young people not only recover — they thrive. 

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