Frequently Asked Questions
About CFS Recovery

CFS Recovery is an organization that has developed a step-by-step recovery system for people with ME/CFS, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, POTS, and related conditions. The system combines a video curriculum, live coaching from recovered Thriver Coaches, personalized recovery plans, and community support. Founded by Miguel Bautista, who personally recovered. Read Miguel's story →

Anyone experiencing chronic fatigue, brain fog, pain, post-exertional malaise, or other symptoms of nervous system dysregulation, whether diagnosed with ME/CFS, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, POTS, or undiagnosed. We also welcome caregivers and family members researching on behalf of a loved one. See all conditions we address →

No. CFS Recovery is a coaching organization built on neuroscience principles. We do not diagnose, prescribe, or provide medical treatment. Our recovery system complements medical care. Many clients continue working with their doctors while using it.

No, CFS Recovery does not use graded exercise therapy (GET), and it never asks anyone to push through symptoms on a fixed schedule. Our recovery system follows your nervous system's lead. Activity only expands when your body is regulated and ready. Our coaches help you stay inside your safe zone and pull back when your body asks you to. You don't need to reach a certain baseline to start. CFS Recovery is coaching and education. It works alongside your doctor and doesn't replace medical care. See how our practices compare to clinical approaches →

Three key differences: (1) Live coaching from recovered coaches, with 6 live group calls per week on Recovery Academy. (2) A team of Thriver Coaches who have personally recovered from the conditions they coach. (3) Tiered pricing starting at $47 USD/month, with pricing designed to be accessible at every level. Compare options →

We track outcomes with the SF-36, a health survey used in clinical research. 178 clients with a baseline and follow-up survey (a median of 5.8 months apart) scored an average of 21.7 points higher out of 100 across all 8 areas. It's observational data with no control group, clients chose whether to fill in the follow-up, and only 21.5% of people who took the first survey have a counted follow-up so far, so it doesn't prove cause. We've served 2,000+ clients across 50+ countries. See the full data and its limits →

All tiers include the video recovery curriculum, NSHA Nervous System Health Assessment, Skool community access, Discord peer support, and weekly group Q&A. Recovery Academy adds live group coaching calls (6/week). Recovery Academy Platinum adds private 1:1 sessions with a senior coach. Compare all features →

The recovery system follows a 3-pillar structure: (1) Understand, learn why your nervous system is stuck. (2) Recalibrate, systematically retrain your nervous system's stress response. (3) Rebuild, gradually expand your capacity for life. Each pillar builds on the last. See the full system →

Both. The video curriculum is fully self-paced. Watch on your own schedule, at whatever pace your energy allows. Coaching calls (Academy and Platinum) are scheduled but recorded if you can't attend live. The system adapts to your capacity.

The Nervous System Health Assessment is a data-driven tool that maps where your nervous system is dysregulated. It builds your personalized recovery plan around your specific results, so you're not following a generic protocol. It's included in every tier. Learn more →

Yes. The curriculum is designed for people with cognitive impairment: short video segments, large text, no information overload. If you can't watch screens for long, your coach will adapt, using modified exercises, plus voice notes and text check-ins on Recovery Academy Platinum. Many of our strongest recovery stories started from the most severe places.

Yes. Long COVID may involve a similar nervous system pattern as ME/CFS: the threat response gets stuck after the viral infection clears. Our recovery system addresses this pattern directly. Many of our clients first came to us with Long COVID. Learn more →

Yes. Fibromyalgia involves central sensitization, the nervous system amplifying pain signals. Our recovery system addresses this by retraining the nervous system's threat response, which can reduce or resolve widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive symptoms. Learn more →

Yes. POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) involves autonomic nervous system dysregulation. Our recovery system works with the autonomic nervous system directly. Learn more →

No. Many of our clients have no formal diagnosis, or have multiple diagnoses. If your symptoms involve chronic fatigue, brain fog, pain, or nervous system dysregulation, our recovery system addresses the underlying pattern regardless of the label.

Yes, because these conditions share a common root: a nervous system that has become dysregulated. We address that shared mechanism alongside your existing care. That's why clients with different diagnoses follow the same system and report meaningful improvements. See the science →

A Thriver Coach is someone who has personally recovered from ME/CFS, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, POTS, or a related condition using the CFS Recovery system, and has been trained in coaching methodology to help others do the same. They're not therapists or life coaches. They're recovered individuals who coach from lived experience. Meet the coaches →

Coaches go through a rigorous process: demonstrated sustained recovery, deep understanding of the CFS Recovery system, formal coaching methodology training, mentorship under senior coaches, and ongoing supervision and development. We develop coaches from within our community of recovered clients.

Our coaching team collectively covers ME/CFS, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, POTS, chronic pain, chemical sensitivity, and burnout. When you join Platinum, you're matched with a coach based on your condition, severity, and goals.

Small-group video calls, plus 1:1 calls on Recovery Academy Platinum. Your coach meets you where you are, even if that means lying in a dark room with the camera off. Calls are recorded for later viewing if you can't attend live. Between calls, you have the peer community, and Platinum members can also message their coach directly.

Recovery School: $47 USD/month. Recovery Academy: $297 USD/month. Recovery Platinum: investment varies (application required). All tiers cancel anytime with no long-term commitment. See all pricing →

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade at any time with no penalty. Many clients start with Recovery School and move to Academy once they're ready for live coaching.

We don't offer a traditional free trial, but we do offer a free training that introduces the core concepts of our approach. It's a great way to experience the methodology before committing. Get the free training →

School and Academy have no long-term commitment, cancel anytime. We also recommend taking our free Self Assessment before enrolling to make sure it's a good fit. Take the assessment →

Yes. We regularly work with family members who enroll and support a loved one. Platinum includes a dedicated partner/family support session for this purpose.

We understand. Many clients have spent years and significant money on supplements, specialists, and other approaches that didn't address the nervous system component. Recovery School starts at $47 USD/month, less than most supplement stacks, and you can cancel anytime.

It varies. Some clients see meaningful improvement within weeks. In our SF-36 data, clients with more time between surveys showed bigger average changes: +17.7 points at 0 to 6 months, +25.0 at 6 to 12 months and +29.7 at 12+ months (out of 100). Each group is different people, the 12+ month group is only 31 people, clients chose whether to fill in the follow-up (only 21.5% have so far), and there's no control group. These are observed averages, and they aren't a timeline for any one person. Recovery isn't linear. There are good days and hard days. Your coach helps you navigate each phase. See the 5 cycles of recovery →

Most likely, yes. Adjustment periods are a normal part of the recovery process, not a sign of failure. Our recovery system teaches you how to respond to flare-ups without reinforcing the symptom cycle. Your coach has been through adjustment periods themselves and knows how to guide you through them.

CFS Recovery uses pacing to keep activity inside what the body can handle right now, and nervous system retraining so that amount can grow over time. Flare-ups are physical, and nobody will ask you to push through one. Our coaches help you find a steady level of activity and stay there while you build. No heroic pushes on good days. No total shutdown on bad days. Bigger tasks get broken into chunks: do a little, rest a little. How you respond to a flare-up matters too, so our coaches help you meet it calmly and pull back when your body asks you to. Learn more about post-exertional malaise →

We work with clients at every severity level, including people who can barely tolerate screen time. Your coach adapts the system to whatever level you can manage: modified exercises, plus short voice notes and text check-ins on Recovery Academy Platinum. Many of our strongest recovery stories started from bedbound.

Absolutely. CFS Recovery complements medical care. It doesn't replace it. We encourage you to maintain your relationship with your healthcare provider. Many clients find their medical needs decrease as they recover, but any changes to medication or treatment should always be discussed with your doctor.

No. This is structured nervous system retraining based on neuroscience research on neuroplasticity and the chronic stress response. It involves specific techniques, daily practices, and systematic capacity building. Your symptoms are real and physical, and so is the recovery process. See the science →