Fibromyalgia in Bern: Medical Pain Clinic for Complex Pain
For people with long-term, generalized pain for whom previous treatments have provided only limited relief.
Fibromyalgia is more than just “pain all over.” Many people with this condition have been through a long, arduous journey, undergoing numerous tests and treatments, often with normal results. At the pain clinic in Bern, the focus is on a specialist evaluation of your pain mechanisms, with a particular emphasis on fibromyalgia and related chronic pain syndromes.
Your pain is real. And you deserve a clear medical evaluation.
Alexandra Milutin-Lanzi
What is fibromyalgia?
Many people with this condition experience pain for years before a clear diagnosis is made.
Why does the pain persist despite treatment?
That is why many traditional therapies fall short: they treat symptoms, not the underlying mechanisms.
Book an Appointment Now – Fibromyalgia in Bern
How do we treat fibromyalgia?
At the fibromyalgia clinic in Bern, the focus is not just on the name of the diagnosis, but on the question: What specific mechanisms are perpetuating your pain, and what can be done to address them?
Functional Medical Assessment
During the initial appointment, we conduct a detailed assessment of your symptoms, their progression, and any previous treatments. We then perform a functional examination of the musculoskeletal system in order to:
- Muscular tension and postural patterns
- myofascial trigger points
- Segmental functional disorders of the spine and joints
- Signs of autonomic dysregulation
to recognize
Manual Medicine and Physical Medicine
In cases of verifiable functional disorders, manual therapy techniques and physical therapy methods are used, such as:
- Gentle mobilization of blocked or painfully restricted segments
- Treatment of Myofascial Trigger Points and Muscular Imbalances
- Targeted physical stimuli to regulate movement, muscle tension, and function
We do not use one-size-fits-all standard programs. Treatment is tailored to your individual diagnosis.
Yamamoto Neural Acupuncture (YNSA)
YNSA uses specific points on the skull that reflect functional connections between the musculoskeletal system and pain-related regulatory circuits of the nervous system. Clinical experience shows that this method can offer additional benefits in cases of chronic and complex pain conditions by modulating neurofunctional patterns that are often not addressed by purely structural interventions.
Assessment of Current Medication Therapy
Many people with fibromyalgia are already taking various medications. During the consultation, a specialist will evaluate the patient’s current pain medication; if necessary, recommendations will be made that can be implemented in consultation with the primary care physician or the treating specialist. The goal is to develop a medication strategy that is as effective, conservative, and well-tolerated as possible.
Taking Sleep, Stress, and Nutrition into Account
Sleep quality, daily stress, and certain dietary habits can significantly affect fibromyalgia symptoms. Where relevant, the potential impact of these factors is taken into account, and specific, actionable recommendations are developed.
Treatment is carried out step by step, based on evidence, and with realistic goals: to reduce pain, improve function, and help patients better manage their daily lives.
Who is this approach suitable for?
The functional, medical approach is particularly suitable for people with fibromyalgia who identify with some of the following points:
- Long-standing, generalized pain accompanied by severe fatigue and sleep disturbances
- several attempts at treatment without sustained improvement
- Laboratory and imaging findings that are largely unremarkable despite severe symptoms
- the feeling of “being caught between all the disciplines”
- Repeated statements such as “You’ll just have to live with it” or “We can’t find anything”
- Suspected central sensitization or associated myofascial pain syndromes
If you recognize yourself in this description, it would be a good idea to seek a medical evaluation.
Book an Appointment Now – Fibromyalgia in Bern
What to Expect at Your First Appointment:
The first appointment is to allow the doctor to assess the causes of your pain.
1. Medical Consultation and Functional Examination
The session begins with a medical consultation to assess your symptoms, their progression, and any relevant prior medical history. This is followed by a functional examination of the musculoskeletal system to identify mechanical, muscular, or neurological factors contributing to your condition.
2. Individual Selection of Treatment Methods
Based on the diagnosis, Alexandra decides which manual therapy, physical therapy, or neuroreflexology techniques are appropriate. Treatment is targeted and structured, depending on the findings from the initial appointment.
3. Recommendations for Next Steps
Finally, the next steps are discussed, including possible follow-up treatments, exercises, or recommendations for the treating physician.
4. Practical Information
Please bring any existing medical records with you, such as reports, MRI scans, X-rays, or your current list of medications.
Why Alexandra for Fibromyalgia?
Diagnostically precise. Functional. Highly educational.
Fibromyalgia requires a doctor with extensive clinical experience and exceptionally comprehensive specialized training. Alexandra Milutin-Lanzi brings over thirty years of experience in pain medicine, combined with specialized medical training in manual medicine, osteopathic medicine, acupuncture, and pain therapy. This combination enables a nuanced functional assessment of complex pain mechanisms.
Education and Qualifications
Clinical rotation in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, USA, a teaching hospital of Harvard University, 1987–1988
Medical Doctor (exams and licensure) – 1988
Board-certified specialist in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine – 1999
Chiropractic Therapy and Manual Medicine, Hamm-Boppard Medical Seminar – 1993
ACSM Health and Fitness Instructor – 2003
Acupuncture / TCM (Full Diploma) – 2005
Specialized Pain Therapy from the Bavarian Medical Association – 2005
Algist (DGSS) – 2006
Yamamoto YNSA Cranial Acupuncture – 2006
Diploma in Osteopathic Medicine (DGOM, D.O.M.) – 2007
Palliative Medicine – 2007
Nutritional Medicine (Metabolic Balance) – 2008
Diploma in Pediatric Osteopathy – 2009
Basic Psychosomatic Care – 2010
Basic Addiction Medicine – 2010
Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc Ost. AT) – 2023
Manual Medicine (SAMM) – 2025
Book an Appointment Now – Fibromyalgia in Bern
Frequently Asked Questions About Fibromyalgia at Fastesana
No. Fibromyalgia is not a mental illness.
It is classified as a functional pain disorder in which the nervous system processes stimuli differently. Emotional stress can exacerbate symptoms, but it is not the cause. Your pain is real and has a medical explanation.
Because fibromyalgia does not cause structural damage.
Lab tests, MRIs, or X-rays often show no abnormalities. Functional mechanisms are key: altered pain processing, muscular and autonomic dysregulation. These are not detected in blood tests, but rather during a clinical examination.
The diagnosis is made clinically.
Key factors include the patient’s symptoms, the course of the illness, and characteristic patterns such as widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Modern diagnostic criteria utilize the Widespread Pain Index (WPI) and the Symptom Severity Score (SSS). Imaging tests are primarily used to rule out other conditions.
Complete remission is rare, but significant improvements are possible.
The goal of treatment is not a “cure,” but rather a continuous reduction in symptoms, improved sleep, and stabilization of daily life. Many patients achieve a noticeably better quality of life through a functional approach.
Approaches that simultaneously take into account mechanical, muscular, neural, and autonomic mechanisms are particularly effective. These include:
Functional analysis of the musculoskeletal system,
manual medical treatment,
neuroreflex techniques (YNSA),
physical medicine,
Sleep and Stress Regulation
Targeted drug strategies.
Individual measures or short-term approaches are usually not enough. A structured combination is effective.
Yes, if it is done in moderation and in an appropriate manner.
Overuse worsens symptoms, but so does complete rest. Regular, light activities such as walking, swimming, or physical therapy exercises are recommended. The key is the right pace, not intensity. We’ll discuss what’s feasible for you.
Sleep has a significant impact on fibromyalgia.
Non-restorative sleep exacerbates pain sensitivity, fatigue, and autonomic symptoms. Sleep analysis, sleep patterns, and specific steps to improve sleep are therefore often part of treatment.
For some people with this condition, diet can influence symptoms—for example, by stabilizing energy metabolism or reducing certain triggers. We assess on a case-by-case basis whether making dietary changes is advisable and what steps are realistic.
The following are helpful:
regular, light exercise,
stabilizing your sleep schedule,
pacing your activities,
heat therapy,
short relaxation exercises,
consistently following individual recommendations,
We’ll discuss with you what works best for your daily routine.
Here's where you'll find our health center in Bern:
Address: Rabbentalstrasse 83 | 3013 Bern | Switzerland
Hours: Mon–Fri: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Phone: 031 336 1111
Email: anmeldung@fastesana.ch
