Acupuncture for fibromyalgia
Widespread pain, deep fatigue, and a nervous system stuck in high alert. Acupuncture helps turn the volume down.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition of widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and tenderness, thought to involve a nervous system that amplifies pain signals. It often comes with poor sleep and brain fog.
Because it's a condition of pain processing, acupuncture's central, regulating effects are a natural fit, calming the over-active stress response and improving sleep, which in turn eases the pain.
Symptoms we treat
If any of these sound like your experience, acupuncture is worth a conversation. This isn't a diagnosis, your first visit is.
Why acupuncture works here
Three layers at once, local, segmental, and central, chosen for what your body is asking for.
From first visit to plan
Every patient gets the same unhurried four-beat rhythm, the first visit includes a complimentary consultation.
The clinical picture
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in specific areas of the body. While the precise causes of fibromyalgia are not yet well known, it is thought to result from abnormal pain processing in the central nervous system, leading to an amplified pain response. Other contributing factors may include:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Physical trauma, infections, or significant emotional stress.
- Dysregulation of pain processing pathways in the brain and spinal cord.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are especially varied across patients, but may involve any one of the following:
- Widespread pain that is often described as a dull ache lasting at least three months.
- Fatigue, even after adequate sleep.
- Cognitive difficulties ("fibro fog"), including problems with concentration and memory.
- Other possible symptoms: headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression, anxiety, and sensitivity to light, noise, or temperature.
There are no specific tests for fibromyalgia. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria, including widespread pain and associated symptoms, and by ruling out other conditions. Conventional treatment for fibromyalgia first involves medications such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants (e.g. pregabalin or duloxetine) to manage symptoms. To improve quality of life, patients may be recommended to undertake regular low-impact exercise (e.g. walking, swimming, yoga), stress management techniques like mindfulness and relaxation exercises, as well as maintaining good sleep hygiene practices. For patients who experience emotional and mental difficulty cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be a good option for coping strategies.
While acupuncture cannot directly resolve fibromyalgia, it can help with managing the varied symptoms that patients experience. From regulating emotions, to decreasing bodily pain, acupuncture can be an excellent modality to supplement and complement any existing medical treatment.