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When you’ve been told "there is nothing more we can do" or "you just have to manage the pain," it’s time for a new approach. The Forbes Clinic combines Functional Medicine, PhysioKey pain regeneration, and Mind-Body therapies to address the hidden factors influencing your symptoms.
Fibromyalgia affects around 1 in 20 people in the UK. It's also one of the most commonly misunderstood chronic pain conditions, often taking years to even receive a diagnosis. But for most people, the journey doesn't get much clearer once that diagnosis arrives. You have likely seen specialists, tried amitriptyline or pregabalin, attended physiotherapy but still find yourself dealing with:
Fibromyalgia symptoms don’t exist in isolation. Evidence is growing that nervous system function, immune regulation, mitochondrial function, gut health and more all play a role in contributing to symptoms.
Our Functional Medicine experts investigate the hidden drivers of pain, such as hidden infections, gut permeability, environmental toxins, or mitochondrial dysfunction.These tests go far beyond what is routinely available through the NHS. The aim is to build a detailed picture of what's happening across the key systems that regulate pain, energy, and inflammation in your body.
15 minutes · no obligation
Our experienced practitioners build a bespoke plan that may include multi-disciplinary support, nutrition and lifestyle medicine and complementary therapies.
This isn't a one-size-fits-all programme. Your plan is built around your results, your symptoms, and your goals.
15 minutes · no obligation
Consult with us fully online, or access optional hands-on therapies in London and the surrounding areas.
15 minutes · no obligation
Experienced, registered Functional Medicine Practitioners who specialise in chronic disease, pain and Fibromylagia support.
Dr Forbes takes a multidisciplinary approach to chronic disease and is a strong advocate for working with the body and mind concurrently. She specialises in complex multi-system cases and immune system restoration.
The UK's first qualified Functional Medicine Practitioner. Jo leads our testing and investigation work, specialising in complex cases and conception and fertility support later in life.
Multi-trained naturopath, functional nutritionist and somatic therapist with over a decade of advanced clinical training under Jo Gamble. Known for her mind-body approach .
Our practitioners are fully insured, qualified and registered within their relevant professions. So you know you’re in safe hands.
We believe in transparency. Here’s a guide to what you can expect.
Costs depend on your practitioner, the tests your case requires, and the length of the consultation. If budget is a concern, let us know during your discovery call, and we'll work with you to find the right plan.
[...] Anna initially helped with diet and crainotherpy which both really helped. Now I have started MIT [...] This has been life changing for me and I am now able to do things that I haven't been able to do in all these years. It's still early days as such for me as I'm only 7 weeks into the 8 month course but feeling better every day. Anyone suffering you need to see this lovley Lady."
"Really happy with my journey at the Forbes Clinic. Whether it's for specific tests that you cannot easily find elsewhere, or their teams at the reception and therapists, they're all excellent. [...] My absolute favourite is working with Jo Gamble, as after 2 years of trying to figure out what was wrong and knowing that what I felt was real, Jo was able to understand and see me fully from the first appointment. And almost 4 months in, I finally see progress. Highly recommend Forbes Clinic."
“I first saw Dr. Anna in Feb 22 for RA and FM and it was the best thing I have ever done in my life. Initially, diet changes and then I was then put on MIT after a blood test [...] Anna has supported me since then with everything that has shown up that were masked by the RA and FM symptoms and more. [...] Now I'm up and about and getting on as a 20-year-younger me, I've lost 4 to 6 inches off my waist, gained a little weight that I needed and mussle tone. Life around me has also improved as now my partner can get on with her life instead of being my carer. I'm able to help our children with things that I couldn't have with RA, even an engine replacement, saving one son thousands. [...] Dr. Anna has literally saved me from festering away in bed for the rest of my life, and turned me around to be one of the healthiest for my age. So, to sum up: RA, FM, Inflamed stomach, EMHS/EHS, Battery mouth, Leaky sinus, and at least 3 other problems, all sorted in under 18 months. I will never be able to show my full appreciation for what you have done for me and the support given; you truly are an angel in disguise."
Functional medicine for fibromyalgia starts with a question: what underlying factors are contributing to these symptoms? Rather than addressing pain in isolation, our registered practitioners use advanced functional testing to investigate the systems most commonly implicated in fibromyalgia. This can include nervous system regulation, gut health, immune function, HPA axis dysregulation, mitochondrial health, and nutritional status. Once we have a detailed picture of what's happening in your body, we build a personalised plan that may include targeted nutrition, precision supplementation, physical therapies, and mind-body support. It is an investigative, whole-body and mind approach, not a one-size-fits-all programme.
The tests we recommend depend entirely on your clinical picture and are determined after your initial consultation. For fibromyalgia clients, these commonly include comprehensive gastrointestinal mapping (to assess gut health and the gut-brain axis), immune and inflammation panels, mitochondrial function markers, nutritional testing, and nutrigenomic testing to identify genetic factors that may be influencing your symptoms. These go significantly further than the standard blood tests offered through the NHS. All kits are delivered directly to your door and most can be completed at home. We have a network of phlebotomists who can collect blood samples at a location convenient to you.
Yes. And this is one of the most foundational areas we investigate. Research increasingly points to a strong connection between gut health and the nervous system via the gut-brain axis. Disruptions to the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability, and digestive function can influence systemic inflammation, immune signalling, and even pain perception. Many fibromyalgia clients we see have underlying gut issues that have never been properly assessed. Addressing these through targeted nutrition and gut-focused protocols forms an important part of how we support clients with chronic pain symptoms.
Central sensitisation is a process in which the central nervous system becomes amplified in its response to stimuli. This means that pain signals are turned up, often disproportionately to the original trigger. It is widely considered a core mechanism in fibromyalgia and helps explain why the pain can feel so widespread, unpredictable, and difficult to treat with standard approaches. At The Forbes Clinic, we consider the nervous system as a central part of the picture, looking at what may be driving that sensitisation, including HPA axis dysregulation, inflammation, gut health, and nutritional factors, and building protocols to address each of these.
NHS fibromyalgia care typically focuses on pain management — medications such as amitriptyline or pregabalin, referral to physiotherapy, and CBT or pain management programmes. These are crucial, but they are largely symptom-focused. Private functional medicine takes a different approach: advanced testing to identify the underlying biological factors contributing to your symptoms, and a bespoke protocol built around those findings. We also spend significantly more time with each client. Our initial consultations are comprehensive 90-minute deep-dives, and your practitioner is with you throughout the process. Many of our clients come to us feeling they have already exhausted NHS options.
Yes. Our practitioners use online consultation and our service can be fully remote. Functional testing kits are delivered directly to your home from our trusted laboratory partners. Some of our optional hands-on therapies are based in London and the surrounding areas but you do not need to travel to London or attend a clinic in person. We work with clients across the UK from initial discovery call through to ongoing follow-up support entirely online.
Absolutely. We work alongside whatever care and medication you are currently receiving. Many clients come to us while taking prescribed pain medication and are looking for a more investigative approach that works in parallel with, not against, their existing support. Your practitioner will take a full medication and health history during your initial consultation, and your protocol will be designed to ensure your safety. We always advise you to discuss any complementary protocols or supplementation with your prescribing GP.
Maybe. Some insurers provide cover for complementary therapies and Functional Medicine, whilst others do not. You'll need to check with your provider before booking with us. We can supply invoicing and documentation to support a claim. Please be aware that we may charge a small administrative fee for this.
Prefer to email? Contact enquiries@theforbesclinic.co.uk
