ACUPUNCTURE AND
THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC FIBROMYALGIA:
Fibromyalgia afflicts a broad range of people in the
United States.
It is second only to arthritis as the most frequent condition that a rheumatologist
sees. This chronic condition affects approximately 3.4% of women and 0.5 % of
men.. There are no specific lab tests that can confirm this diagnosis.
Diagnosis is usually based on symptoms. A physician will diagnose fibromyalgia
if the patient has had widespread aching over at least a three month period. There
are 18 specific areas that are palpated on the body and if 11 of these are
tender to the touch then a diagnosis of FM is arrived at. The areas of possible
tenderness include sites such as the shoulders, neck, lower back, hips, elbows,
knees and buttocks
The most common symptoms are:
- Widespread pain,
stiffness, and soreness of the muscles and tendons.
- Pain changes
location frequently.
- Fatigue and or
altered or disturbed sleep patterns.
- Waking up feeling
tired.
- Headaches, jaw
pain, and dizziness.
- Irritable bladder
and intestinal discomfort.
- “Brain fog” - inability to concentrate.
- Depression.
- Increased sensitivity to environmental changes; loud
noises, change in the weather, sensitivity
to lights, and increased food sensitivity.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary according to the weather, stress,
physical activity. You may have fibromyalgia even if you don’t meet all of the
above criteria.
Causes of Fibromyalgia:
Medical investigators have not determined any one single
cause to explain the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Some possible causes of
fibromyalgia include: sleep disturbance, injury, viral infection and changes in
brain chemicals.
The Mayo Clinic
study of the use of Acupuncture to treat Fibromyalgia:
The Mayo Clinic conducted a study where patients diagnosed
with Fibromyalgia were treated with a pilot test of six sessions of acupuncture.
The
results of the study revealed that fibromyalgia patients experienced
significant symptomatic relief after the sessions of acupuncture. Dr
David Martin, M.D.,Ph.D., the Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist the study’s lead
investigator said, “ Our study was performed on patients with moderate to
severe fibromyalgia. It’s my speculation that if acupuncture works for these
patients with recalcitrant fibromyalgia – where previous treatments had not
provided satisfactory relief – it would likely work for many of the millions of
fibromyalgia patients…….This study shows there is something real
about acupuncture and its effect on fibromyalgia……...Acupuncture could
fill a gap in available therapies for the disease as something additive to what
medications can already can provide…..We expected acupuncture to improve the pain.
We didn’t expect the largest benefit to be in fatigue or anxiety.”
Link to full article: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2005-rst/3000.html
How Acupuncture works to decrease the symptoms of fibromyalgia:
Acupuncture works on the principal that where there is pain
there is blockage in the flow of qi and blood in the region. When Qi becomes
impeded or the flow to an area diminished, pain, stiffness and other symptoms
related to fibromyalgia can appear. Inserting very fine acupuncture needles into specific points along
energy meridians causes the release of these blockages in the muscles, tendons and
tender points to help decrease inflammation and pain. This is analogous to a
kink in a garden hose which reduces the flow of water from the hose – by
straightening out the hose the flow is
then normalized.
Acupuncture has an overall effect on the body to improve
generalized circulation of Qi or energy and balance the system enabling the
body to deal with stress more effectively which in turn improves sleep function
and general energy.
The frequency of acupuncture sessions ranges widely from
patient to patient mainly based on degree of symptoms. Dr. Martin stated that
patients would sustain improvement with ongoing acupuncture…” It’s a reasonable
expectation that if they received
acupuncture after two to three months,
they would have maintained their improvement……acupuncture works for about three
months, and then patients need a less-intensive treatment session. These patients
would need more acupuncture periodically for as long as they experience fibromyalgia
symptoms. “
To schedule an
evaluation call (609)-924-3733