Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome or FMS, is a condition characterized by widespread, severe muscular aching, pain, and stiffness and often accompanied by insomnia, fatigue, and depression.
Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus erythamotosus, it is neither a rheumatic, inflammatory, progressive, or degenerative disorder. It is a chronic condition of unknown cause that involves a number of different factors both physical and emotional. In 1987 the American Medical Association recognized FMS as a true illness and major cause of disability. The National Institutes of Health estimates that between 3 and 6 percent of all Americans suffer from fibromyalgia.
Fortunately, Traditional Chinese Medicine treats all the associated signs and symptoms of FMS very effectively and without side effects. Moreover, Chinese medicine addresses each patient’s symptoms individually and treats the underlying root causes of fibromyalgia, rather than simply masking the symptoms as do many of the existing Western medical approaches.
No laboratory tests or X-rays exist to confirm a diagnosis of FMS because the condition does not result in any physical damage to the body or its tissues. Because there is often fatigue associated with the pain, it is often confused with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome (CFIDS). Estimates are that as many as 75 percent of CFS-diagnosed patients actually fit the criteria for FMS. Fibromyalgia can be differentiated from other chronic muscle-joint pain by the presence of pain or tenderness on pressure in at least 11 out of 18 specific points on the body. In addition, FMS sufferers are also often hypersensitive to odors, bright lights, and loud noises; headaches and jaw pain are common.
Western physicians often try to treat this disorder by prescribing medications and treatments for the many different symptoms that are present. That is, because no known underlying cause exists for FMS, Western medicine has no single treatment. Medications prescribed can include antidepressants, sleeping pills, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (e.g., ibuprofen).
Unfortunately, many antidepressants and sleep medications have unwanted side effects—skin rashes, hives, itching, headaches, nervousness, drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired concentration. Anti-inflammatories can be very effective for acute pain relief but they also have potential side effects, including ringing in the ears, mouth sores, gastrointestinal upset, possible damage to the kidneys, and actually increasing the frequency and intensity of headaches.
How can acupuncture help?
One of the most recent investigations into the effectiveness of acupuncture for fibromyalgia was presented at the 11th World Congress on Pain in Sydney, Australia, in August of 2005. The trial, conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic, found that acupuncture provided significant improvements in a variety of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, with the effects of care often lasting several months.
According to Dr. David Martin, the study’s lead investigator, “There’s not a cure available, so patients are often left somewhat frustrated by continuing pain and fatigue. Acupuncture is one of the few things shown to be effective for these symptoms.”
There are points that we needle that specifically address pain, tension, anxiety, and irritability—along with many other points for a variety of symptoms. On some of the points we also use tiny “press needles,” shaped like miniature thumbtacks, intradermal needles, or pressballs (also called ear seeds), thus extending the benefits beyond the treatment session and stimulating points without having to insert more actual needles.
In addition to the acupuncture session and possibly herbal medicine, we discuss things that someone with FMS can do on his or her own to ease symptoms, including dietary changes, exercise, and deep relaxation techniques.
Chinese medicine offers hope to thousands of people who suffer the debilitating and limiting effects of fibromyalgia. It is not the answer for everyone or for every situation, but because of its centuries of use and demonstrated effectiveness, it holds the potential to make significant changes for those who are struggling with pain on a daily basis.