Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition causing pain all over the body, extreme fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Today’s blog post talks about fibromyalgia relief with acupuncture – a safe, natural therapy that delivers powerful, long-lasting relief.
Understanding Fibromyalgia
Twenty years ago, few people had ever heard of fibromyalgia. Women would go to their doctors complaining of pain that moved from place to place, flares of complete exhaustion that made them bed-ridden, and intense feelings of anxiety and depression that came in waves. Doctors had no reference for such symptoms and ended up prescribing antidepressants and pain medications.
Two decades later, we understand more about the condition, but there is no cure, no understanding of the underlying root issues of the disease, and no satisfactory long-term treatment. We now have an antidepressant that also manages chronic pain (Cymbalta) and some novel off-label medications that seem to help prevent flares and improve energy (low-dose Naltrexone). Fibro patients are better off now than twenty years ago but not much better off.
Alternative medicine therapies like physical therapy, chiropractic, and fibromyalgia relief with acupuncture play an essential role in helping patients manage this debilitating pain condition.
Modern Medicine Understanding of Fibromyalgia
The National Health Service in Great Britain spells out the main factors thought to contribute to fibromyalgia.
- Abnormal pain messages -People with fibromyalgia have developed changes in how the central nervous system processes the pain messages carried around the body. The brain, spinal cord, and nerves transmit information through the body. Changes in the way this system works may explain why fibromyalgia results in constant feelings of, and extreme sensitivity to, pain.
- Chemical imbalances – People with fibromyalgia have abnormally low levels of the hormones serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine in their brains. These hormones regulate mood, appetite, sleep, behavior, and responses to stressful situations. They also play a role in processing pain messages sent by the nerves.
- Sleep problems – Disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause of fibromyalgia rather than just a symptom. Fibromyalgia can prevent you from sleeping deeply and cause extreme tiredness (fatigue), leading to higher levels of pain, suggesting that these sleep problems contribute to the other symptoms of fibromyalgia.
- Genetics – Research has suggested genetics may play a small part in the development of fibromyalgia, with some people more likely than others to develop the condition because of their genes. If this is the case, genetics could explain why many people develop fibromyalgia after some trigger.
- Possible triggers – Fibromyalgia is often triggered by a stressful event, including physical or emotional stress. Possible triggers for the condition include an injury, a viral infection, giving birth, having surgery, a relationship ending, an abusive relationship, or the death of a loved one.
Chinese Medicine Understanding of Fibromyalgia
Chinese medicine primarily understands fibromyalgia as a digestive system weakness, which we call Spleen Qi deficiency. Stressors of life, working too hard, and the natural aging process weakens our ability to digest food and turn it into energy efficiently.
These factors lead to two outcomes. First, our bodies don’t have the nutrients to maintain proper muscle health, leading to weakness and pain. Second, food is not properly converted into energy, resulting in lower energy. Pain and fatigue further weaken the body, leading to a spiral of chronic pain and exhaustion.
Fibromyalgia Relief With Acupuncture
Fibromyalgia patients who come to our clinic are treated holistically, at the organ level, to strengthen their digestion and metabolism. We call it tonifying Spleen qi, which involves strengthening their digestive system to metabolize foods properly. Once digestion is improved, their bodies have better access to nutrients.
Improved digestion directly leads to better energy, improved concentration and mental focus, and enhanced strength. In addition, pain levels begin to lower, and flares (crashes) diminish. Thus, while acupuncture is not a cure for fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia relief with acupuncture serves as a powerful tool to help patients restore more normal daily functioning.
Fibromyalgia Research and Case Studies
The following links connect to fibromyalgia acupuncture research and case studies.
Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Research Study #1
Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Research Study #2
Fibromyalgia Acupuncture Case Study #1
Next Steps
If you or someone you love struggle with chronic pain and fatigue, seek fibromyalgia relief with acupuncture.
BOOK NOW to schedule an appointment online.
Watch Video About Our Fibromyalgia Treatment.
Learn about all the conditions we treat.
What our Clients are Saying
I am a long term patient of Raleigh Acupuncture. Prior to being under their care, I was disabled with terrible fatigue and pain all over my body. I was unable to drive, could only walk less than a block, and had numerous symptoms that mystified doctors. After countless lab work, x-rays, and MRI’s, several doctors including my primary physician told me that there was nothing that could be done. According to them, it was either an illness that was undiagnosable or it was all in my head. When I came to Raleigh Acupuncture, it was a breath of fresh air. They took me very seriously and were not mystified by my condition. They assured me that my condition was treatable and manageable. They treat me with respect, dignity and care; something that I didn’t receive at my primary care doctor. Thanks to their treatments I am now living a normal life. They have restored my health and taught me how to manage my condition. My family and friends can’t believe how much improvement I have made. My son is grateful to have his mommy back! And I am eternally grateful to Raleigh Acupuncture! They truly have the gift of healing!
I would like to thank Raleigh Acupuncture for the wonderful and very helpful treatments. I had been seeing them for my insomnia, which was making excellent progress at the time and has since been cured. On a previous Monday I was involved in a minor traffic accident. Due to the stress of the accident on Tuesday I awoke in a severe flare-up of my fibromyalgia. The pain was so bad I took pain killers and stayed in bed for the day. The following day I had an appointment with Dr. Mark which I wanted to cancel. My husband suggested I keep the appointment and tell Dr. Mark about the pain. After our discussion, he modified the treatment he had planned for me and treated the pain. I came home, took another pain pill and went back to bed. The following morning I woke pain free and have been since, which is about 2 to 3 months. Thanks again Raleigh Acupuncture!
I still am forever in your debt for helping me through the Lymes recovery. My body pain and fatigue were overwhelming before getting acupuncture. I still tell everyone today that I am 100% positive that my recovery was a direct result of your expert care. Truly. I have very little residual effects from the disease that I can easily live with. So again,thank you not only for your amazing skills, but for the compassion and kindness that you showed me during that time.
All of my joints were hurting. I’ve got fibromyalgia and it effects me by making my joints hurt. The pain would move around from place to place, first the hip, the next day the shoulder, then the knee, etc. The practitioner at Raleigh Acupuncture explained that the best way to treat my kind of moving joint pain was to treat me holistically. Instead of treating the hip one day, the shoulder the next, they treated the root of the pain. They said this type of treatment would also improve my mood and my sleep. Right on all counts. I started feeling better after the second treatment. It’s like all of the joints just settled down and stopped giving me trouble. I had less flares and the intensity of the pain went way down. My sleep is better, not just because I have less pain. I’m more relaxed and less stressed. I’ve made this treatment a regular part of my life. I’m very grateful.
I’ve been going to Raleigh Acupuncture for 4+ years. I first went to them because I was having problems with my monthly period lasting two weeks or more, hot flashes that were extreme, and all over pain from fibromyalgia, which is a chronic pain condition. I was in a state of depression and despair, unable to work, or do things I love to do, like working in my yard. On a good day, I could perform simple household chores, perhaps a little yoga, and that was all. My first few visits brought relief from hot flashes, terrible neck pain, and wrap-around pain in my ribs that restricted my ability to breathe comfortably. I felt this was a miracle as I had suffered for many years, and had no idea it was so easily remedied. This miraculous ride continued as I took Chinese herbs for aiding my menopausal symptoms, sinus problems, anxiety, and general pain. As time went on I began to depend on Raleigh Acupuncture for psychological strengthening as well. Nowhere else have I found anyone that really listens to what I have to say without thinking I was crazy. Today, as I sit and reflect, I am about to graduate from an intense two year program for Landscape Architecture Technology. I took a huge leap when I signed up for full-time classes when I was 50 years old. I have enjoyed great success, making one B in 64 credit hours, the rest were A’s! In February of 2011, I was in a car accident where I was sandwiched between a van and a school bus. I was able to continue school and finish the semester, I believe because of my acupuncture treatments. I contribute most of my academic success, emotional well-being, and diminished pain to Raleigh Acupuncture.
