Fibromyalgia and Acupuncture
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 06/20/2007 at 11:06AM
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition whose main symptoms are muscle pain, fatigue, and poor sleep. Fibromyalgia is chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and stiffness; as well as fatigue, poor sleep and the presence of localized tender points. This syndrome affects roughly four to six million Americans, about 75 percent of who are women between the ages of thirty to fifty. One recent survey estimated that approximately 20 percent of people who suffer from fibromyalgia undergo acupuncture therapy within two years of diagnosis. If you or a loved one suffers from fibromyalgia, read on to learn more about the possible healing effects of acupuncture. Since fibromyalgia causes depression the acupuncturist can also help with the symptoms of depression. More helpful information can be found at www.stress-anxiety-depression.org
Description of Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine. The practice of acupuncture is based on the theory that there are patterns of energy flow through the body that are essential for health. Health is defined in terms of a vital force of energy called Qi, which circulates between the organs along channels called meridians. Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncturists seek to identify imbalances in the Qi. Once this imbalance is identified, the acupuncture practitioner then selects the appropriate acupuncture points from among approximately 360 points distributed along the body's meridians.
The practice of acupuncture involves the stimulation of specific acupuncture points on the skin. These points are stimulated by the insertion of needles ranging in length from one to ten centimeters. The typical treatment will use anywhere from five to fifteen needles, with varying point combinations. The needles are inserted to a depth of about five centimeters.
Treating Fibromyalgia with Acupuncture
Using the theories of traditional Chinese medicine, fibromyalgia occurs due to an imbalance in the energy flow of the body. In the treatment of fibromyalgia, the following acupuncture points are used: UB 11, 17, 18, 20 and 23.
Typically, the patient is treated once a week for six weeks. The acupuncture needles are inserted for five to six days with the patient removing the needles about 24-48 hours before the next visit. This avoids the over stimulation of the points which could render them inactive. As the patient’s symptoms begin to recede, treatment can be reduced to every other week.
Usually, after about ten treatments, the patient will feel significant pain reduction and an improvement in energy and sleeping patterns. It also helps to apply a topical pain formula over the acupuncture points. The best formula can be found at www.ghchealth.com
Can Acupuncture Treat Fibromyalgia?
A recent study performed at the University of Maryland evaluated the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome. The researchers selected all randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials, or cohort studies of patients with fibromyalgia that were treated with acupuncture. They concluded that real acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture for relieving pain, increasing pain thresholds, improving global ratings, and reducing the morning stiffness of fibromyalgia. However, they also noted that the length of recovery could not be determined. Many patients may require repeat treatments.
In most cases of fibromyalgia unexpected weight gain can occur. If this is a problem, acupuncture can help. Another good resource for losing weight is www.weightlossobesity.com
Side Effects of Acupuncture
The serious side effects that are possible with acupuncture include transmission of infectious disease, pneumothorax, organ punctures, spinal lesions, cardiac tamponade, and broken needles. Minor side effects include forgotten needles, exacerbation of symptoms, minor bleeding, hematoma, fatigue, sweating, severe nausea, fainting, and headache. A recent survey of acupuncture treatments found that of the 32,000 treatment patients surveyed, roughly 14 per 10,000 visits involved some type of side effect. But none of these were deemed to be serious.
Finding A Qualified Acupuncturist
The first state to license acupuncture, as an independent health care profession was California in 1976. Since that time, forty more states and the District of Columbia have adopted similar laws. A few states require the supervision of a physician for the 11,000 acupuncturists that are not themselves physicians.
The typical education standard for an acupuncturist is between 2,000 and 3,000 hours of training in independently accredited master’s degree 4-year schools. Although some states allow physicians to practice acupuncture without additional education, most states require between 200 and 300 hours of special training. There are approximately 3,000 acupuncturists with medical degrees practicing in the United States.
Each state has rules and regulations in regard to the licensure of acupuncturists. The American Academy of Medical Acupuncture produced a table in 1999 that outlines the requirements of each state.
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