Fibromyalgia

This fibromyalgia case report presents a new acupuncture approach for treating fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The patient featured in this report had poor responses to previous treatments. The unique acupuncture technique was similar to Hong’s myofascial trigger point injections.

However, the practitioners used simultaneous needle rotation of tiny acupuncture needles instead of injections. After five sessions, the patient’s pain decreased by 80 percent. A follow-up confirmed that she was no longer suffering any severe discomfort. This case demonstrates that a patient with FMS may show remarkable pain relief after receiving acupuncture.

Introduction – Fibromyalgia

Acupuncture therapy is well known for treating chronic pain. Previous reports indicate that acupuncture therapy helps control pain. In this case report, we present a modified technique of acupuncture to treat a patient with fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS]. This new technique is similar to myofascial trigger point injection and has had excellent results.

In addition to the acupuncture points in the painful local regions, the practitioner also needled several acupoints distal to the painful site to manage the proximal pain.

Medical History

This fibromyalgia case report featured a 58-year-old woman. For more than 20 years, she experienced the gradual onset of chronic pain in her neck, upper back, and upper limbs, with episodic flares. Initially, the pain intensity ranged from 3/10 to 5/10. She also had generalized fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Under the impression that she was suffering from FMS, physicians treated her with oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antidepressants.

Unfortunately, the medication only brought temporary relief. A few years after the initial onset, the patient’s neck pain increased, especially on the right side. An x-ray of the cervical spine showed evidence of osteoarthritis. She received physical therapy treatments, including thermotherapy, electrotherapy, and manual therapy. However, as with the pain medications, relief was only temporary. Furthermore, her pain levels kept increasing.

In the last several years, she received steroid injections to the cervical vertebrae with good results. However, the pain never disappeared entirely, and she still experienced episodic flares. Then, at age 45, she injured her right shoulder doing yard work, causing 9/10 level pain. An MRI revealed a rotator cuff tear. She underwent physical therapy intermittently for several years, which provided temporary relief but never resolved the pain. She also received traditional acupuncture therapy without much benefit and with post-needling discomfort.

Physical Examination of Fibromyalgia Patient

At the time of her first visit to the acupuncture clinic, the patient in this fibromyalgia case report had 9/10 pain in the right side of the neck, upper back, shoulder, arm, and elbow. In addition, she experienced 5/10 pain in the left neck, upper back, and shoulder. Her neck, shoulder, and upper limb muscles had multiple active trigger points. Furthermore, she had numerous tender spots in her lower back and extremities.

Examination of her cervical spine revealed a limited range of motion in all directions, especially right rotation and left side bending. In addition, there was evidence of reduced normal lordotic curvature due to paraspinal muscle spasm. Examination of her right shoulder revealed a re- reduced range of motion in flexion, abduction, and internal rotation, with pain in the terminal range.

INITIAL FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT – OCTOBER 12, 2006

During her first visit, practitioners applied the following bilateral acupoints: GB-21, SI-11, TW-14, LI-11, TW-5, and GB-34. The modified acupuncture technique is similar to the trigger point injection technique described by Hong ( Am J Phys Med Rehabil 73(4): 256–263, 1994.)

Initially, the practitioner inserts an acupuncture needle into the subcutaneous layer. Then the needle is moved into the muscle layer at a speed of approximately 10 mm per second for a distance of about 5 to 15 mm and pulled out to the subcutaneous layer at the same rate. During the needle movement, the practitioner simultaneously rotates the needle to facilitate the moving of the needle and to avoid grasping the muscle fibers.

This needle insertion is repeated in different directions, eliciting multiple muscle twitches. This multiple-fast insertion technique is slightly different than that described by Hong. Remarkably, the pain decreased by at least 50 percent immediately following treatment. In addition, there was an increased range of motion in the cervical spine and right shoulder.

SECOND FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT – OCTOBER 17, 2006

After the first treatment, the patient’s pain in all sites except for the right shoulder was significantly reduced, with less intensity than before. Practitioners applied the following bilateral acupoints: GB-21, SI-11, TW-14, LI-11, TW-5, GB-34, and SP-6.

THIRD FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT – OCTOBER 19, 2006

Following the second session, the patient’s neck and upper back pain decreased even further. At this point, the major sites that still had significant pain included the base of her head, right scapula, and shoulder. During the third visit, she received the following points: GB-21, SI-11, BL-43, GB-20, LI-11, TW-5, GB-34, SP-6, and ST-40.

FOURTH FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT – OCTOBER 23, 2006

After the third treatment in this fibromyalgia pain report, her pain intensity decreased to 4-5/10 [tolerable level] in the right shoulder area and 2-3/10 in the other sites. Therefore, during the fourth visit, the practitioners selected the following bilateral acupoints: GB-21, SI-11, BL-43, PC-6, HT-7, and BL-40.

FIFTH FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT – OCTOBER 30, 2006

Following the fourth session, the pain intensity remained at 2 to 3/10 in all sites. During the fifth visit, she received the following points: GB-21, SI-11, TW-14, LI-15, SI-10, LI-11, TW-5, GB-34, and SP-6. Following the fifth treatment session, therapy was interrupted because she planned to leave the country.

The practitioners originally planned ten acupuncture sessions. However, despite the limited treatments, she showed remarkable pain relief. This experience was quite different from her previous trigger point injections, after which she experienced severe pain for a few days before achieving pain relief.

FOLLOW-UP PHONE CALL – JANUARY 11, 2007

A follow-up phone call revealed that, after the last treatment, she no longer suffered severe discomfort at any site. However, the pain in her left neck and shoulder worsened occasionally with short-lasting flares of pain intensity up to 5 to 6/10. Overall, the patient in this fibromyalgia pain report experienced an 80 percent improvement.

She felt that the duration of needling to the left side was much shorter than that of the right, which is why she experienced ongoing issues on the left side. However, she also thought that she could have achieved total pain relief if she had completed the entire course of therapy.

Fibromyalgia Case Report Discussion

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a complex and disabling medical condition. The American College of Rheumatology’s criteria for diagnosing FMS includes a history of widespread musculoskeletal pain for at least three months and pain in 11 or more of 18 specific tender point sites.

Patients with FMS usually experience pain on both sides. However, if the pain persists over a soft tissue injury on one side, the intensity of the involved side can be much higher than that of the uninjured side. For example, because the patient in this fibromyalgia case report had a history of right shoulder injuries, she experienced higher pain in the right shoulder than in the left.

Old Trauma, New Fibromyalgia Pain

Suppose a patient has old trauma that has healed completely. In that case, the residual scar tissue may impair circulation and make the area more vulnerable to reinjury from even minor trauma. The practitioner found that FMS patients with asymmetric pain usually reported old trauma to the more painful side. Previous surveys indicated that 66 to 99 percent of patients with FMS used at least one complementary therapy, such as acupuncture or massage, because pain medications failed to provide sufficient relief of symptoms. In addition, they were not curative.

Interestingly, research suggests that FMS patients respond to trigger point injections quite differently from non-FMS patients. FMS patients experience more post-injection pain with less pain relief than non-FMS patients. However, using a small needle (such as an acupuncture needle) can prevent post-needling pain, as demonstrated in this fibromyalgia case report.

Several studies have demonstrated the significant benefit of acupuncture in treating FMS patients. Improvement of local circulation is a mechanism for pain relief. However, the practitioners believe that the occurrence of local twitch responses (LTRs) was the most crucial factor in obtaining a good result. The patient had been previously treated with “traditional acupuncture” but had poor results.

Local Twitch Reponses Benefit Fibromyalgia Patients

The literature documents the similarity between acupuncture and trigger point injection. In the last 15 years, trigger points have become better understood based on human and animal studies. Hong has hypothesized multiple sensitive locations in a trigger point region. Based on histological studies, the sensitive areas are probably nociceptors [free nerve endings]. Stimulation of a sensitive area can elicit pain and, sometimes, referred pain.

Intense stimulation can also produce an LTR via a spinal cord reflex. Therefore, the effectiveness of trigger point injection depends on the occurrence of LTRs during the injection. In traditional acupuncture, patients can relieve pain immediately if they experience a “De-Qi” reaction during treatment. De-Qi feels heaviness, soreness, numbness, tingling, and sometimes muscle twitching. The muscle twitching of De-Qi is similar to the LTRs during TrP injection.

Hong suggested using a multiple insertion technique to elicit as many LTRs as possible during trigger point injection to achieve optimal results. The mechanism for LTR elicitation is still unknown. However, intense pressure stimulation to the trigger point most likely generates powerful neural impulses to the dorsal horn cells in the spinal cord. These impulses subsequently break the vicious cycle of the neural circuit responsible for myofascial trigger point-like hyperstimulation analgesia.

Unique Needle Technique for Fibromyalgia Patients

In this fibromyalgia case report, the practitioner applied a technique similar to trigger point injection, performing multiple needle insertions to elicit LTRs. However, the diameter of the acupuncture needle is much smaller than a trigger point injection needle. Therefore, during numerous insertions, the acupuncture needle is too flexible to be moved rapidly, which is essential in providing high-pressure stimulation to elicit LTRs.

Therefore, he developed a new technique of simultaneous needle rotation during insertion. This way, he could move the flexible acupuncture needle more easily and quickly into the muscle tissue. This technique is similar to but somewhat different from what has been recommended by Hong.

Selection of Acupuncture Points

The practitioner selected the acupoints in this fibromyalgia case report based on his knowledge of acupuncture and clinical experience. Needle stimulation of a specific point can likely produce an expanding effect at a remote site via the central connections in the spinal cord, similar to the mechanism of referred pain.

Using this new technique, the practitioner combined the benefits of trigger point injection and acupuncture. An acupuncture needle causes less pain and tissue damage, reducing post-needling soreness. However, tiny needles are too flexible to be inserted into the muscle tissue easily and without bending. Incorporating a rotation of the needle makes it much easier to move the needle into the muscle.

Fibromyalgia patients typically have a low tolerance to needle stimulation and can experience post-needling discomfort. This new technique can elicit multiple LTRs with only a small-diameter needle and minor discomfort. This fibromyalgia case report shows remarkable improvement immediately after the needling. Although her treatment course was incomplete, the patient experienced an overall improvement.

Conclusions

The clinicians have demonstrated the long-term effectiveness of a new acupuncture technique on a patient with fibromyalgia. The post-needling discomfort was mild as compared with the previous trigger point injections.

Next Steps

At Raleigh Acupuncture, we successfully treat patients with fibromyalgia using a similar needle technique to this fibromyalgia case report. The key is to elicit a limited number of trigger point releases using a small gauge needle. In addition, we incorporate organ-strengthening points to improve metabolism and boost energy. Finally, our treatment reduces the frequency and intensity of future flares.

BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.

Watch a video about our fibromyalgia treatment.

Learn about all the conditions we treat.

Reference

Chou, Li-Wei, Hong, Judith Y. and Hong, Chang-Zern (2008) ‘A New Technique for Acupuncture Therapy and Its Effectiveness in Treating Fibromyalgia Syndrome: A Case Report,’ Journal Of Musculoskeletal Pain, 16:3, 193 — 198

Focus Keyphrase: Fibromyalgia Case Report
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/photo-of-older-woman-applying-lipstick-in-front-of-the-mirror-3768885/

A 35-year-old woman came to our clinic, having been diagnosed with fibromyalgia six months earlier. Over the past year, she had developed pain in her body that traveled from place to place, debilitating fatigue, depression, and somnolence. This fibromyalgia case review discusses our patient’s Chinese medicine diagnosis, treatment plan, and course of treatment that significantly improved her condition.

Fibromyalgia Fallout

Our patient had been healthy, happy, and active. She played golf on the weekends, ran a family business with her husband, and cared for two young children. Then, soon after turning 34, she began developing uncharacteristic fatigue and body pain. The pain started in her legs but soon moved to her arms, shoulders, and neck. Activities that once were easy began to become difficult, triggering intense waves of exhaustion. Daily activities like caring for her children became more and more difficult.

Her primary care physician ran a panel of tests, which were inconclusive for the most part. Her thyroid levels were fine, as were her estrogen and progesterone levels. She tested negative for rheumatoid factor and anemia. Her vitamin D levels were low, so she started taking a supplement, but it did nothing to improve her health. After months of investigation, her doctor concluded that she had fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Defined

To better understand this fibromyalgia case review, let’s start with a deeper understanding of the disease itself. Here’s what the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says regarding fibromyalgia:

Fibromyalgia (fi·bro·my·al·gi·a) is a condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. In addition, people with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This phenomenon is called abnormal pain perception processing. Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million US adults, about 2% of the adult population. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.

The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Pain and stiffness all over the body
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Depression and anxiety
• Sleep problems
• Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration
• Headaches, including migraines

Treating Fibromyalgia with Acupuncture

In Chinese medicine, most cases of fibromyalgia involve a Chinese medicine pattern imbalance called Spleen Qi deficiency. As a result, the digestive system stops working correctly, leading to a cascade of problems, including pain, fatigue, and depression. However, treating the root problem can ease many of these symptoms. We focus our acupuncture treatment on strengthening digestion, enabling the patient to process foods more effectively, and improving energy, mood, and mobility.

Our Bodies Mimic Cars

Imagine your car started having trouble – difficulty starting, poor acceleration, inconsistent power when you needed it. One of the first places you would look for problems is the fuel supply – cars need a steady stream of gasoline to function correctly. So too, humans need a steady stream of energy to function properly, and our power comes from the food we eat. If the stomach is not metabolizing foods efficiently, the body’s performance will suffer.

Fibromyalgia Case Review

The first thing we did when our patient arrived was to conduct a complete intake exam, asking a series of questions about her health. In addition, we felt her pulse and examined her tongue. There are over a dozen distinct pulse qualities that shed light on the state of one’s health, and the tongue is a flag to the stomach, revealing helpful information about a person’s digestive system.

Besides the recent onset of pain and fatigue, our patient also had loose stools, bloating, disturbed sleep, and depression. In addition, she had a swollen tongue with a thick white coat and scallop marks along the edges, and her pulse was weak. These signs pointed directly to Spleen Qi deficiency and indicated that our treatment had to address her weak digestive system.

Acupuncture Treatment for Fibromyalgia

We used the following acupuncture points for our patient in this fibromyalgia case review:

• To strengthen her Spleen Qi, we needled points from the following pool of points: ST36, SP3, SP9, ST21, CV6, CV12, and BL20.
• We invigorated her Qi and Blood by selecting from these points: LV3, LI4, LI11, BL17, and BL18
• To improve sleep and ease depression, we applied these points: Si shen cong, GV20, and auricular points Shen Men and Point Zero.

Our patient received treatment once a week. After four sessions, her pain levels had dropped by 25 percent. This improvement was an encouraging sign, reflecting that her body could heal with proper support. As such, we continued treatment. Following her eighth visit, our patient had 50 percent less pain and corresponding improvement in energy, mood, and digestive function.

We continued weekly treatment for another four sessions when she attained 70 percent improvement overall. At this point, she dropped to coming in once a month for maintenance to preserve her gains. Two years later, she had sustained these benefits and is living in much better health. She is not “cured” from her fibromyalgia, but acupuncture has strengthened her body, and she has the internal resources to manage this chronic health condition much better.

Next Steps

Try acupuncture if you or someone you love is struggling with fibromyalgia or another chronic pain condition. You’ll know within the first four to six treatments if you can benefit from this natural form of healing. The successful outcome described in this fibromyalgia case review is typical. Treating the root issues is a highly effective strategy for addressing chronic health conditions.

BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.

Additional Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Resources

Video about the Raleigh Acupuncture Fibromyalgia Treatment.

First Fibromyalgia Research Study.

Second Fibromyalgia Research Study.

First Fibromyalgia Case Study.

Learn about all the conditions we treat.

Focus keyphrase: fibromyalgia case review

A 2018 study confirms acupuncture fibromyalgia relief. The research was conducted at the Ataturk University Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department. It concluded that acupuncture improved two biochemical markers and clinical outcomes for patients with fibromyalgia.

Objective measures demonstrated acupuncture increasing serum serotonin levels while also reducing levels of Substance P. Most importantly, the researchers documented lasting improvements including less pain, fatigue and anxiety.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition with symptoms including pain, sleep problems, fatigue, foggy thinking and poor concentration. It also triggers anxiety and depression. Western medicine does not fully understand what causes fibromyalgia, although it is now recognized as an autoimmune disease. In addition, it is thought that serotonin and Substance P play an important role in the condition.

Serotonin, Substance P and Fibromyalgia

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter deeply involved with mood, sleep, sexual behavior and pain regulation. Independent research has confirmed that fibromyalgia patients have lower serum serotonin levels compared to healthy individuals.

Substance P is a neuropeptide intricately involved in pain sensitivity, depression, and peripheral neurogenic inflammation. Excess Substance P levels can play a role in the pathology of fibromyalgia, especially given the fact that it affects pain perception.

Fibromyalgia Study Details

The study measured levels of these two biochemical markers in addition to several clinical factors, before and after acupuncture treatment. Seventy five female patients were recruited for the study.

Participants were excluded from the study if they had used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, or other antidepressant drugs within the previous 15 days. In addition, those who smoked tobacco, suffered from bleeding diathesis, or had painful conditions other than fibromyalgia were also excluded.

The researchers randomly assigned the participants into three groups; acupuncture, sham (fake) acupuncture, and simulated acupuncture. All three groups had a similar mean age and body mass index. The average duration of the condition in the three groups was 4.44 years, 3.94 years, and 5.09 years respectively.

Acupuncture Point Selection

The following acupuncture points were used for the study:

Dazhui (GV14)
Jianzhongshu (SI15)
Hegu (LI4)
Quchi (LI11)
Shenmen (HT7)
Neiguan (PC6)
Qihai (CV6)
Taichong (LV3)
Zusanli (ST36)
Sanyinjiao (SP6)

The points were needled bilaterally using 0.25 × 25mm sterile, single-use, stainless steel acupuncture needles. Treatments lasted 30 minutes each time. For all three groups, treatment was given twice weekly for a total of four weeks.

The sham acupuncture group was included in the study as a control and to identify the physical impact of inserting needles into the skin at non-acupuncture points. Sham points were selected within a 1–2 centimeter radius of the true acupuncture points used in the acupuncture group. The sham points were identified using an electronic point detector to find areas with a weaker signal compared with the true acupuncture points.

A third group, simulated acupuncture, was included as a control and to identify the psychological impact of acupuncture treatment. Small, round adhesives were placed on the same points as those used in the acupuncture group. Small needles were inserted shallowly into the bandages, but were not allowed to penetrate the skin.

Tracking Results

Study confirms acupuncture fibromyalgia relief. Serum serotonin and Substance P levels were tracked before and after treatments using an enzyme immunoassay kit. Pain was measured with a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) was used to measure work status, depression, anxiety, morning tiredness, pain, stiffness, fatigue, and well-being.

The Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) measured quality of life including pain, energy, physical mobility, emotional reactions, social isolation, and sleep. Lastly, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was incorporated to track 21 qualities including mood, social withdrawal, insomnia, and fatigue.

The number of tender points (NTP) were also counted for each patient. All measures were taken at the beginning and end of treatment. Follow-up visits were conducted one and three months after completion of treatment.

Results

Patients in the acupuncture group experienced significant improvements, including less pain, more energy, improved sleep and less anxiety and depression. These improvements were confirmed with test scores from the VAS, FIQ, BDI, NTP, and NHP following treatment. Most of these improvements continued at the three month follow-up.

The sham and simulated acupuncture groups received a short-term placebo effect but obtained no long-term benefits. True acupuncture produced greater short-term results and also long-term positive patient outcomes.

Study Confirms Acupuncture Fibromyalgia Relief

This study indicates that acupuncture is powerful treatment for patients with fibromyalgia, improving a large number of symptoms, increasing serum serotonin levels, and reducing serum Substance P levels. Real acupuncture is superior to sham or simulated acupuncture, with long term improvements in symptoms lasting several months after completion of all treatments.

Raleigh Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia Relief

This study confirms acupuncture fibromyalgia relief. In addition it reflects our own experience at Raleigh Acupuncture. We have been treating patients with fibromyalgia for 15 years, helping them reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatments are safe, relaxing and bring long lasting benefits.

Next Steps

BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.

WATCH VIDEO ABOUT OUR FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT.

LEARN ABOUT OTHER PAIN CONDITIONS WE TREAT.

References

Wolfe F. et al “Serotonin levels, pain threshold, and fibromyalgia symptoms in the general population.” The Journal of Rheumatology [01 Mar 1997, 24(3):555-559].
Harrison S. Geppetti P. “Substance P” The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology Volume 33, Issue 6, June 2001, Pages 555-576.

Study confirms acupuncture fibromyalgia relief.

A 52 year old woman came to our clinic having been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She had pain in her arms, legs, back and neck. She was exhausted and emotionally overwhelmed. This fibromyalgia acupuncture case study describes how acupuncture was able to ease her symptoms and improve her quality of life.

The Problem

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state, “Fibromyalgia (fi·bro·my·al·gi·a) is a condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This is called abnormal pain perception processing. Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million US adults, about 2% of the adult population. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it can be effectively treated and managed.” (https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm)

The Solution

A large number of research studies and medical institutions, including the Mayo Clinic, have concluded that acupuncture may benefit patients struggling with fibromyalgia. Our own experience at Raleigh Acupuncture supports these views. Acupuncture reduces chronic pain, eases depression, increases energy and reduces the frequency and duration of flares associated with the condition. This fibromyalgia acupuncture case study reviews one such case.

Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Case Study

Our 52 year old patient had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia two years earlier. Her physiatrist (pain doctor) was treating her with regular cortico-steriod injections and medications, which helped reduce her pain levels. But she was still faced with daily pain, debilitating fatigue, depression and flares that would land her in bed for days. Her doctor suggested she try acupuncture to see if it would bring her any additional relief.

The flares were particularly frustrating. She would be managing an activity alright, or so it seemed. For example, she would plan an afternoon of shopping and be doing well enough. After three hours she would feel like her body was going to make it through. But after she got home she would collapse, triggering a three day state of exhaustion requiring constant bed rest. She would have no warning that the activity was too much until it was too late. This is a common symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Treatment Stragegy

After assessing all of her symptoms, feeling her pulse and looking at her tongue, we determined her pattern imbalance to be Spleen Qi Deficiency with Dampness combined with Liver Qi Stagnation. Armed with this diagnosis, we created a treatment plan to strengthen her Spleen Qi, Reduce dampness, and smooth her Liver function to reduce stagnation. These are Chinese medical principals that have been used for thousands of years.

The following acupuncture points were included in her treatments: ST36, SP6, LV3, Li4, SP9, BL18, BL20, BL23, Yintong, SiShenCong. More points were used at different times, but these comprised the key elements of strengthening Spleen Qi, reducing dampness and smoothing Liver function.

After her initial 4 treatments our patient’s pain levels were reduced 30% and energy was improved about the same amount. This encouraged both her and her doctor, and we decided to continue treatment. After 6 more treatments, she was feeling 70% better in all areas, including emotionally.

With her increased strength and reduced pain she was able to start physical therapy to improve her muscle tone and endurance. She continued acupuncture every other week for the next two months, gradually improving over time. Most importantly, her flares decreased. She was able to gain an awareness of her limits, before they were passed. Thus, she was avoiding the days in bed from exhaustion.

Two years later, she has maintained better health, less pain, more physical activity and better emotions. She comes for acupuncture treatment once a month, in conjunction with monthly physical therapy and massage. The combination of support enables her to live a life with much less pain and more normal daily functional activity. She does not need steroid injections any more, and was able to reduce her Western pain medications by 60%.

Next Steps

There is no cure for fibromyalgia yet, but a balanced health care regime can make a world of difference in your quality of life. We hope this fibromyalgia acupuncture case study helped shed some light on how acupuncture works.

BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.

WATCH VIDEO ABOUT OUR FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT.

LEARN ABOUT OTHER PAIN CONDITIONS WE TREAT.

This fibromyalgia acupuncture case study is a typical example of how our fibro patients respond to acupuncture. While acupuncture cannot cure the condition, it can play an instrumental role in it’s management. If you suffer from fibromyalgia or any other kind of chronic pain syndrome, give acupuncture a try. It is a natural, safe therapy that may be able to help you.

A 55 year old woman came to our office with debilitating joint pain and exhaustion, feeling completely overwhelmed. She had been diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease and was having her worst flare yet. Medications were not helping and she was on the verge of going to the hospital. This autoimmune disease case study describes how acupuncture was able to help her, resolve the flare, and help her return to a more normal life.

The Problem

Autoimmune disease develops when your body’s immune system treats healthy cells as foreign and attacks them. Autoimmune disease refers to illness that occurs when healthy tissue (cells) get damaged by the body’s own immune system.

Hidden allergens, infections, environmental toxins, inflammatory diet and stress are all possible causes of this condition. In 2010 autoimmune diseases affected 24 million Americans and included chronic Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and more.

Autoimmune Disease and Acupuncture

Acupuncture treats disease by restoring balance. In this case, acupuncture treats autoimmune conditions by restoring balance to the immune system. The results can be dramatic, with significant reduction of symptoms. Each case is treating differently, depending on how the patient presents, and what symptoms they have.

Chronic Lyme Disease

When Lyme disease is not diagnosed and treated early, spirochetes can spread and may go into hiding in different parts of the body. Weeks, months or even years later, patients can develop problems with the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, heart and circulation, digestion, reproductive system, and skin. Symptoms may come and go and different symptoms can appear at different times.

Untreated or under treated Lyme can cause some people to develop severe symptoms that are hard to resolve. This condition may be referred to as post-treatment Lyme disease (PTLD) or chronic Lyme disease (CLD). That is what our patient was diagnosed with.

Autoimmune Disease Case Study

Our patient had been diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease the previous year. Since that time she had struggled with flares that caused severe pain in the joints that would move from joint to joint. Her whole body felt achy, to the bone level. In addition, she was very tired. No matter how much sleep she got she was still exhausted.

The first thing we did was take a complete history. This included having her describe all of her symptoms, explain where she hurt, how long she had been in pain, and the nature of her debilitating fatigue. This information, along with her pulse and tongue examination, helped us understand the underlying pattern behind her illness.

Her pattern imbalances included spleen qi deficiency generating dampness, damp heat invading the channels, and liver wind moving internally. The proper Chinese medicine diagnosis is important because it guides the correct acupuncture treatment. Acupuncture is used to resolve these imbalances and restore equilibrium.

After treating her once a week for seven weeks her symptoms were 90% resolved. Her pain levels were reduced in the joints, the pain did not move around like it was before, and her energy levels improved. We did not treat individual pain areas, but instead treated her holistically. This approach works well for autoimmune conditions. By treating the root issue, the symptoms resolve.

In the years since, she has managed her condition well with a combination of good dietary choices, not pushing too hard, and getting acupuncture and other alternative medical care for maintenance. We see more and more autoimmune conditions with our patients, and most respond well to acupuncture. This autoimmune disease case study is a good example of the response we typically see.

Next Steps

BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.

WATCH VIDEO DESCRIBING OUR AUTOIMMUNE TREATMENT.

LEARN ABOUT OTHER CONDITIONS WE TREAT.

New fibromyalgia acupuncture research demonstrates the benefits of acupuncture to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Three independent and separate studies conclude that acupuncture is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia patients.

The Problem

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is characterized by widespread pain, heightened sensitivity to pain upon pressure, fatigue and insomnia. Other symptoms can include digestive problems, headaches, anxiety, and impaired thinking. Soft tissue is affected and there is tenderness at specific points.

Fibromyalgia is non-nociceptive. This means that fibromyalgia pain is not triggered by pain receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints. Instead, it comes from a disruption of central processing. This type of pain is also seen with migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Most patients experiencing non-nociceptive pain are treated with anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) and analgesic drugs. However, a greater understanding demonstrates that painkillers, NSAIDS and steroids are not enough to reduce FMS related pain.

Non-nociceptive pain is often chronic. Researchers from the Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center (Portland, Oregon) concluded that nociceptive pain disrupts the central nervous system, leading to excitation of non-nociceptive neurons. In this case, conventional pain medications are helpful but not sufficient for comprehensive FMS pain management.

Acupuncture has been found to enhance the analgesic properties associated with amitriptyline for patients with FMS. Moreover, it is a clinically superior treatment option to amitriptyline when both are compared as standalone treatments.

Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Research

Acupuncture is an important branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It has been used to treat FMS symptoms for thousands of years. FMS is understood in TCM because of its distinct characteristics as a generalized syndrome: widespread pain, sleep disorders, fatigue, memory problems, muscle weakness, and paresthesia.

In TCM, this is a classic presentation of qi, blood, and yin deficiency with liver qi stagnation, excess dampness and bi (joint) pain. While these terms may seem strange to those unfamiliar with TCM, they are straight forward explanations in Chinese medicine.

An early recognition in the United States concerning the benefits of acupuncture for FMS was confirmed by department of anesthesiology researchers at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine (Rochester, Minnesota). The research team noted, “Acupuncture significantly improved symptoms of fibromyalgia. Symptomatic improvement was not restricted to pain relief and was most significant for fatigue and anxiety.” [4]

Study #1

Abdominal acupuncture in conjunction with the medication amitriptyline effectively reduced FMS pain. The 6 week trial compared two groups – one receiving abdominal acupuncture with amitriptyline and the other receiving only amitriptyline. The results concluded that abdominal acupuncture enhanced the reduction of pain and depression for FMS patients taking amitriptyline.

50 FMS patients from the Acupuncture-Tuina Division of Chengdu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital were involved in the study. Diagnoses were made in accordance with the criteria set by the American College of Rheumatology. Patients had to have whole body pain lasting more than 3 months, spanning multiple areas across the whole body plus pain in more than 11 of the 18 tender points when applying pressure to those points.

Randomization and Subjects

The 50 subjects in this fibromyalgia acupuncture research study were randomly divided into 2 groups of 25: treatment and control. The treatment group received abdominal acupuncture and amitriptyline. The control group received only amitriptyline. Patients discontinued any form of pain control 4 weeks before starting treatment.

Acupuncture Points Used

The following acupuncture points were used for the treatment group:
Xiawan (CV10)
Qihai (CV6)
Guanyuan (CV4)
Zhongji (CV3)
Huaroumen (ST24)
Wailing (ST26)
Daheng (SP15)
Shangfengshidian
Xiafengshidian

Single-use, sterile acupuncture needles were used. Needles were retained for 30 minutes, during which infrared red light was focused on the abdomen. One acupuncture session was administered 3 times per week, with a 2-day break before starting the next week. A total of 18 acupuncture sessions were administered.
For both the treatment and the control group, 25 mg amitriptyline hydrochloride tablets were given once a day before bed, for 6 weeks.

Conclusions of Study #1

The researchers conclude that acupuncture increased the effectiveness of amitriptyline for the treatment of FMS. Based on the data, acupuncture was shown to be appropriate complementary therapy to usual care for the treatment of FMS.

Study #2

The second fibromyalgia acupuncture research study compared acupuncture to Lyrica for the treatment of FMS. The research from Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College Affiliated Hospital found that acupuncture was more effective than Lyrica in reducing the number of painful FMS tender points and for alleviating pain. [6]

76 FMS patients from the Rehabilitative Division of Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College Affiliated Hospital were selected for the study. Patients were diagnosed and hospitalized for FMS between December 2015 and February 2017. Diagnoses were made in accordance with the same criteria by Study #1.

Patients were randomly divided into two equal groups of 38: treatment and control. Group 1 received acupuncture and Group 2 received Lyrica. The age, duration of illness, number of tender points, and VAS pain scores before treatment were all equivalent in both groups, showing a fair comparison between both groups.

The following acupuncture points were used for the treatment group:
Ganshu (BL18)
Pishu (BL20)
Geshu (BL17)
Xuehai (SP10)
Zusanli (ST36)
Sanyinjiao (SP6)
Neiguan (PC6)
Ashi (tender points)

For the control group, Lyrica capsules were administered, 75 mg each time, 2 times per day, for 14 consecutive days. The results indicated that acupuncture once again outperformed Lyrica. [9] Patients receiving acupuncture reported less pain, had more energy and had improved sleep.

Study #3

The third fibromyalgia acupuncture research study investigated the effects of acupuncture versus amitriptyline (Elavil) for the treatment of FMS. Research from Liaoning Anshan Tanggangzi Hospital concluded that acupuncture was more effective than amitriptyline for the reduction of tender points, overall symptoms, and relapse rates.

196 FMS patients from Liaoning Anshan Tanggangzi Hospital were treated and evaluated. Diagnoses were made in accordance with the criteria as Studies 1 and 2. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: treatment and control, with 104 patients and 92 patients respectively. The treatment group received acupuncture and the control group received amitriptyline.

For the treatment group, the 18 tender points were treated as acupuncture points. One acupuncture session was given every 3 days until all tender points were treated. For the control group, 25 mg of amitriptyline was administered each time, 2 times a day, for 1 month. The results confirm that acupuncture outperforms amitriptyline for the treatment of FMS.

Summary of Research

Given the extent of research into the benefits of acupuncture for the treatment of fibromyalgia, referral to a licensed acupuncturist for treatment is recommended. A meta-analysis of 11 studies (de Macedo Sanita et al.) confirms this recommendation, noting that “acupuncture is an effective form of treatment for individuals with fibromyalgia.”

One study in the meta-analysis used CT scans to confirm results. The CT scans revealed “increased u-opioid receptors” involved in the reduction of referred pain as a result of acupuncture treatments.
In an independent investigation, University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore) researchers conclude that “real acupuncture is more effective than sham acupuncture for improving symptoms of patients with FMS.”

Based on the scientific data, researchers conclude that acupuncture is safe and effective for the treatment of FMS.

Next Steps

This fibromyalgia acupuncture research supports our own experiences at Raleigh Acupuncture treating fibromyalgia. We have treated hundreds of fibromyalgia patients over the years, helping them reduce pain and flares, increase strength and energy, and improve quality of life.

BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online. Or call us at 919-819-8113 and we will schedule an appointment for you.

WATCH VIDEO ABOUT OUR FIBROMYALGIA TREATMENT.

READ TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR PATIENTS.

References

Kramis, Ronald C., William J. Roberts, and Richard G. Gillette. Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Portland, Oregon. “Non-nociceptive aspects of persistent musculoskeletal pain.” Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 24, no. 4 (1996): 255-267.

Fang, Xin, Simon McMullan, Sally N. Lawson, and Laiche Djouhri. University of Bristol, Medical School. “Electrophysiological differences between nociceptive and non‐nociceptive dorsal root ganglion neurones in the rat in vivo.” The Journal of physiology 565, no. 3 (2005): 927-943.

Vecht, Charles J., Anneke M. Hoff, Peter J. Kansen, Maarten F. De Boer, and D. Andries Bosch. “Types and causes of pain in cancer of the head and neck.” Cancer 70, no. 1 (1992): 178-184.

Martin, David P., Christopher D. Sletten, Brent A. Williams, and Ines H. Berger. “Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: results of a randomized controlled trial.” In Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol. 81, no. 6, pp. 749-757. 2006. Rochester, Minnesota.

Mo SQ. Abdominal acupuncture in treating headache 38 cases [J]. China TCM Acute Diseases, 2010, 19(2): 308. Chengdu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital.

Therapeutic Effect of Press Needle in Treatment of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. LIANG Yan, GONG Zhengshou, ZHANG Yong, CHEN Wanhui， JIANG Ｒuiyi, ZHAO Yanqiong. (Rehabilitation of The Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Chongqing Three Gorges, Chongqing, China). CLC number: R685 Document code: A Article ID: 1000-1719 (2017) 09-1901-03.

Chi Jun. Fire needle treatment of fibromyalgia 104 cases [J]. China TCM Modern Distance Education,2014,12(3):54-55. DOI:10.3969/j.issn.1672-2779.2014. 03.036.

de Macedo Sanita, Priscila Contatori Vital, Taise de Souza Moreira Moraes, and Fernanda Mara dos Santos. 11 studies meta-analysis. “Analysis of the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia: literature review.”

Volume 31, Number 1 (2012), 55-66, DOI: 10.1007/s10067-011-1783-5. Berman BM, Ezzo J, Hadhazy V, Swyers JP. Complementary Medicine Program, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21207, USA. The Journal of Family Practice [1999, 48(3):213-218].

If you have any questions about this fibromyalgia acupuncture research give us a call. We’ll be happy to speak with you.

The Raleigh Acupuncture fibromyalgia treatment works wonders for reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. In addition, acupuncture will ease your pain, increase energy and improve your quality of life.

Raleigh Acupuncture Fibromyalgia Treatment

Learn about our fibromyalgia treatment in this video.

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a Western diagnosis describing a debilitating pain syndrome. To be given this diagnosis, you have pain in many areas. The pain moves from place to place, seemingly at random. Then, you get “flares,” where pain and fatigue increase dramatically. Finally, you become exhausted to the point of being bed-ridden. Very often, flares come when you’ve done too much. But your body fails to warn when you are approaching your limits.

At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have nearly 20 years of experience helping patients manage fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, there is no cure for fibromyalgia, but patients can manage the condition. Acupuncture reduces the pain and flares of fibromyalgia so you can lead a more normal life.

How Acupuncture Works

The strategy for treating fibromyalgia patients is different than when treating patients with back, shoulder, or neck pain. For the latter, we focus on the area of pain. For example, if your neck hurts, we treat your neck. However, there is too much pain in too many distinct areas to treat locally with fibromyalgia. So instead, we treat the root, the underlying causes of pain, which quickly and effectively reduces whole-body pain.

Acupuncture treats the system-wide pain of fibromyalgia. Chinese medicine recognizes and addresses the internal imbalances responsible for this condition. This knowledge is why we are successful in reducing fibromyalgia pain.

Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Case

We recently had a patient come to our clinic complaining of pain all over her body, severe fatigue, and depression. She was newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Her intake exam confirmed that she had severe Spleen Qi deficiency with dampness and Liver Qi stagnation.

We suggested she try four consecutive treatments one week apart and then evaluate. After her fourth session, she was thrilled – her pain levels had decreased fifty percent, she had more energy, and her mood was significantly better. As a result, she now comes in once a month as part of her wellness-care regime.

What To Expect

The Raleigh Acupuncture fibromyalgia treatment is custom-made for each patient based on their specific needs. First, we conduct an intake exam to inquire about your pains, flares, and emotional state. Next, we determine your Chinese medicine diagnosis and create a treatment plan. Then you receive treatment – all at the first visit.

Acupuncture is safe and natural, with no adverse side effects. As a bonus, the treatments are relaxing. As you comfortably rest on the table, your body heals.

Next Steps

BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.

Watch Video About Our Fibromyalgia Treatment.

Learn about all the conditions we treat.

Research and Case Studies

First Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Research Study.

Second Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Research Study.

Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Case Study.

Focus Keyphrase: Raleigh Acupuncture Fibromyalgia Treatment