Treatment for Fibromyalgia
Acupuncture is a natural therapy that works to “reset” the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Research has shown that acupuncture has an effect on the neurotransmitters in the body which may explain why it’s so effective at treating fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread dull achy musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. The pain is usually found at specific bilateral points on the body that correspond to actual acupuncture points. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, however, current theories indicate that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain. This may be due to an increased sensitivity to pain signals in the brain. Researchers also believe that there is an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that deal with pain (neurotransmitters). Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.
Many people who have fibromyalgia also experience:
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Endometriosis
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ)
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Acupuncture & Fibromyalgia
Acupuncture is a natural therapy that works to “reset” the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Research has shown that acupuncture has an effect on the neurotransmitters in the body which may explain why it’s so effective at treating fibromyalgia.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does not recognize fibromyalgia as one particular diagnosis pattern. Instead, it aims to work with the entire syndrome (a collection of symptoms) that are unique to each individual and treating the whole patient and not just the individual symptoms. Because the symptoms of fibromyalgia are highly variable form one person to another it is important to design each treatment plan for the individual. This may include natural healing remedies such as herbal medicine, supplements, and dietary changes.