HCA Talks Health
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain & the Power of Health Coaching
Living Symptom Free & Gaining Control of Your Health with Helen Roome
Published: 14th August 2026
What if everything you thought you knew about fibromyalgia was wrong?
In this episode, Zena sits down with Helen Roome, a South African occupational therapist with nearly 30 years of clinical experience and a decade specialising in fibromyalgia.
Together, they unpack the most common misconceptions about fibromyalgia, explain how central nervous system sensitisation drives symptoms, and explore what genuinely effective chronic pain management looks like, from top-down and bottom-up treatment approaches to the daily lifestyle habits that actually move the needle. They also explore how Health Coaches can play a truly transformative role in supporting clients living with this complex and often misunderstood condition.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why fibromyalgia is so widely misunderstood, and what the research actually tells us
How central nervous system sensitisation drives fibromyalgia symptoms
Why lifestyle-based, top-down approaches are often more effective than medication alone
How Health Coaches can create safe, validating spaces for clients in chronic pain
Practical strategies you can use to help clients manage their symptoms day to day
The concept of proactive acceptance and why it can be a game-changer for clients
Whether you're already supporting clients with chronic pain or simply want to deepen your understanding, this conversation is packed with insight, compassion, and practical takeaways. Helen's expertise and lived experience make this a truly eye-opening listen, one that could transform the way Health Coaches show up for clients.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Helen Roome
01:30 - Why Helen specialised in fibromyalgia
04:30 - Common misconceptions about fibromyalgia
08:45 - What fibromyalgia actually is: central nervous system sensitisation
13:00 - Causes, vulnerability factors, and triggers
18:00 - The role of Health Coaches and practitioners in creating safety
23:00 - Bottom-up vs. top-down treatment approaches
28:00 - Practical lifestyle management: routine, sleep hygiene, diet, and hydration
33:30 - Redefining success and the concept of proactive acceptance
38:00 - Why sustainable habits beat wellness hacks every time
44:00 - Why Health Coaches are uniquely positioned to support clients
45:00 - How to find Helen and her book, Your Pain Playbook
Helen Roome - Occupational Therapist, Pain Coach & Author
Helen Roome is a South African Occupational Therapist, Pain Coach, author, and speaker with almost 30 years of diverse clinical experience supporting adults across a wide range of physical and mental health challenges. Over the past decade, she has dedicated her practice to helping people living with chronic pain, with a particular focus on fibromyalgia.
Helen holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Pain Management from the University of Cape Town and a Master's degree in Practical Theology from Tabor College, Australia. She is registered with the HPCSA and OTASA, served as past-chairperson of the OT Pain Management Group of South Africa, and is a member of the council of PainSA. She is also the co-founder of R&R Pain Solutions and FibroHub.
Helen is the author of Your Pain Playbook — a practical six-week guide for anyone living with chronic pain. A self-described lifelong learner, she also served as a church Pastor during a career hiatus, which speaks to the depth of compassion and humanity she brings to everything she does.
Helen shares that "It's the boring daily things we do that are gonna make the most difference when done consistently. So rather than sexy sounding hacks, sustainable habits are going to support our wellbeing."
To learn more about how Helen Roome supports clients and practitioners, to find out more about her online support group, or to buy her book Your Pain Playbook, visit www.helenroome.co.za.
You Might Also Like:
To learn more about trauma-informed wellbeing, join Elaine Wilkins on discussing Fatigue, ME & Fibromyalgia. Join Dr. Deepak Ravindran on Rethinking Pain Management as he explores going beyond pills and quick fixes.
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