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
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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.
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.