Arthritis for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia or FM, according to the CDC, is a kind of arthritis that causes widespread pain, fatigue, stiffness, headaches, sleep problems, and other symptoms that can severely impact the functioning and day-to-day life of those who suffer from it. They report that about 2% of the adult population suffers from fibromyalgia.
Most treatments of the actual condition are an assortment of medications to address and relieve pain, while other common interventions are exercise, stress management, education, and therapy to address any depressive or anxious symptoms that arise as a result of the condition.
Acupuncture, however, is being supported by research in Western medicine as an effective treatment for fibromyalgia. Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years to address myriad ailments. Most popularly in the United States, acupuncture is used as a safe, effective, and natural tool to relieve chronic pain.
Especially as a tool to relieve chronic pain in patients, acupuncture for fibromyalgia has some support in Western medicine research and practice. One study found that, “… acupuncture treatment in primary care in patients with fibromyalgia proved efficacious in terms of pain relief, compared with placebo treatment. The effect persisted at 1 year, and its side effects were mild and infrequent. Therefore, the use of individualised [sic] acupuncture in patients with fibromyalgia is recommended.”
One thorough review and analysis of myriad studies concludes, “Acupuncture therapy is an effective and safe treatment for patients with FM, and this treatment can be recommended for the management of FM.” It goes on to state, “Furthermore, acupuncture was more effective in relieving pain in both the short and long term compared with conventional medication.”
A long-term study of patients with fibromyalgia treated with acupuncture found that patients who underwent a full course of acupuncture treatment reported a significant decrease in pain and their number of tender points, while at the same time their overall sense of wellbeing and quality of life increased.
However, the benefits of including acupuncture as a treatment method for fibromyalgia do not end with alleviating the often debilitating chronic pain of patients with this condition. Another article from Orthopedic Reviews found that, “Several clinical trials were carried out and were able to show alleviation in pain and improvement in accompanying symptoms and quality of life with acupuncture…”
That article goes on to summarize its findings by stating, “given the positive evidence in most studies examining the use of acupuncture as an adjunct to exercise, physical therapy, or pharmacological treatment, and in light of the safety and availability of the treatment, there seems to be increasing evidence supporting the incorporation of acupuncture as part of multi-modality treatment plans for fibromyalgia.”
Along with alleviating chronic pain, research has suggested an association between acupuncture and a decrease in the frequency and severity of headaches, a positive association with an increase in energy, and benefits related to the quality and frequency of sleep.
Patient who live with fibromyalgia may believe little respite is available for their symptoms and condition. However, acupuncture may provide significant relief that has the potential to last longer than most recommended medications for fibromyalgia.
If you live with fibromyalgia and are interested in acupuncture to help manage your condition, or are wanting to try it for yourself and see what results consistent treatment yield for you, we recommend that you email us at info@loveacu.net or call our offices at (503) 343 9851 to learn more or schedule an appointment. Our providers are here to help you get on the path to wellness!
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Do not wait for an appointment with us. We are happy to work with you on chronic or ongoing health conditions; however, we are not equipped for or specialized in urgent or emergent care.
For Further Reading:
“Acupuncture therapy for fibromyalgia,” Journal of Pain Research, Vol. 12; Zhang et al., 2019.
“Fibromyalgia,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arthritis; 2020.