Make Visible: Chronic Illness Explored
Make Visible: Chronic Illness Explored
Visible with Emily Kate Stephens
#34 Fibromyalgia and chronic pain management with Ryan Bourdo, Physical Therapist
55 minutes Posted May 15, 2026 at 6:26 pm.
Cold Open: Listening Before Treating
Introduction to Make Visible
Fibromyalgia Awareness & Introducing Ryan Bourdo
What Fibromyalgia Patients Actually Need
Why Pain Presentations Differ So Much
Expanding the “Cup”: Managing Capacity vs Symptoms
Exercise, Movement & Fear Around Physical Therapy
Rethinking Movement for Chronic Illness
When Wellness Protocols Become Overwhelming
Stress, Cortisol & Sustainable Lifestyle Changes
The Importance of Being Heard by Clinicians
Pacing, Boundaries & Living Within Capacity
Final Thoughts: Compassionate Care for Chronic Pain
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Show notes
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
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