| Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is one of the most common rheumatic problems in the United States today. Those who have this condition suffer a variety of symptoms including pain, stiffness, achiness, muscle tenderness as well as fatigue, intestinal problems and insomnia. Acupuncture can help with many of these symptoms. Acupuncture frees the flow of qi (or body’s energy) throughout the body so that it can more easily maintain its own balance. Patients can experience deeper and more restful sleep, which is often a key ingredient to having better days for the average fibromyalgia patient. Acupuncture can also decrease the amount of pain that a patient might experience which greatly increases the quality of life. Fibromyalgia is typically a complicated disease and those with fibromyalgia are more commonly suffering from too little qi or blood than from a blockage of qi or blood. Whenever an acupuncturist is required to help build qi or blood, the healing process takes longer than if they are merely releases blockages. Acupuncture is not a miracle cure for fibromyalgia patients. It can however make the quality of life for the average sufferer much better. Most patients with fibromyalgia come to the office for the first few months on a weekly basis. As their symptoms decrease and they feel better the frequency of their visits decrease to every other week and then perhaps once a month. Some patients find they can go longer than a month and maintain a good quality of life, while others remain on the once a month treatment schedule. The following is a list of studies on acupuncture and fibromyalgia. Deluze C, Bosia L, Zirbs A, Chartraine A and Vischer TL (1992) Electroacupunture n fibromyalgia: results of a controlled trail Brit Med J 305:1249-1252 The NIH studies 1997 which can be here A current ongoing study on acupuncture can be here A study at the Mayo Clinic can be found here |
Home | What's acupuncture? | Related Information |
