Introduction: the F-word -- Figuring out fibromyalgia for myself -- What fibromyalgia is, and isn't -- The chain reaction that causes fibromyalgia -- Blocking the fibromyalgia chain reaction -- Helping your doctor help you -- The four R's of fibromyalgia treatment -- Rest: taming the hyperactive stress response -- Rest: fixing fibromyalgia sleep -- Rest: medications to increase deep sleep -- Repair: digestion -- Repair: therapeutic movement -- Repair: unsticking the fascia -- Rebalance: energy production -- Rebalance: inflammation -- Rebalance: adrenal hormones -- Rebalance: thyroid and sex hormones -- Rebalance: mood -- Reduce: fatigue and fibrofog -- Reduce: pain hypersensitivity -- Reduce: opiates for pain relief -- Reduce: medical marijuana for pain relief -- Reduce: pain from other sources -- Reduce: chronic fatigue syndrome -- Acknowledgments -- Appendix: a health care provider guide to fibromyalgia management.