Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing muscle pain throughout the body and can significantly impair the quality of life of affected individuals. People with fibromyalgia have tender points, which are specific areas of pain located near the neck, shoulders, chest, hips, and knees. Other common symptoms of fibromyalgia include sleep problems, fatigue, cognitive difficulties ("fibro fog"), headaches, and stiffness (especially in the morning). Research has shown that the central nervous systems of people with fibromyalgia process pain differently, causing a lower pain threshold or increased pain sensitivity. Sleep problems are also linked with chronic pain; people with fibromyalgia often get less deep sleep.

Chronic, widespread pain can be debilitating for affected individuals, preventing them from engaging in school, maintaining stable employment, or upkeeping social relationships. Higher rates of depression and anxiety are understandably high in people with fibromyalgia. While pain-relieving medications are often taken to help manage symptoms, they can only provide temporary relief. Neurofeedback therapy has been found in multiple research studies to more permanently alleviate chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia by rewiring brain centers associated with pain identification and processing.