Monday

Traditional Chinese Medicine and Fibromyalgia


"In terms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), fibromyalgia is primarily a liver disease. The liver is in charge of keeping qi moving throughout the body, and when it fails to do so, pain results. Fibromyalgia is characterized by a combination of symptoms, including pain and tenderness of acupuncture points, and often involves fatigue. Fibromyalgia is often discussed alongside chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)."

To read the rest of this article by Heidi Hawkins, MAc, LAc please go to Acupuncture Today

Acupuncture reduces many kinds of chronic pain.

During an acupuncture treatment very fine needles are inserted in various places on the body and left in place for around 20 minutes. 

I have had many acupuncture treatments and only once have I felt pain from the treatment so I never went back to that specific acupuncturist again. There are so many good acupuncturist who have been treating patients for many years.

CONVINCING TRIAL: Sham vs Tailored Acupuncture
Using a placebo control group some patients did not know they were getting fake acupuncture needles. 

"At the 10-week mark, the tailored acupuncture group reported a 41% drop in pain, whereas the sham acupuncture group reported a 27% reduction."

We can safely say, based on the evidence from this long term study, that acupuncture does work for some kinds of pain. This study was done on patients with Arthritis, an inflammatory disease and the acupuncture did not cure the arthritis but reduced the pain and reduced the inflammation.

Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: results of a randomized controlled trial.

This Video from BBC Discovery Health proving acupuncture does have a real affect on the brain and on reducing pain. Objective evidence is measured in the limbic system which is about where we modulate pain.  

You might also be interested in these articles on Acupuncture and fibromyalgia on Fibro Files:
 Did acupuncture help your fibromyalgia?
 Acupuncture lessens pain intensity in Fibromyalgia




Image: Acupuncture chart from Ming Dynasty

17 comments:

  1. Acupuncture is an alternative way of treating patients by insertion and manipulation of needles in the body. One of the most common uses of acupuncture is pain relief

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    Replies
    1. thank you for your confirmation of acupuncture.

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  2. This is the first time I frequented your website page and I am surprised with the research you made to create this particular post. Excellent process!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for taking time to let me know.

      Delete
  3. I'd like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this blog about fibro. In fact, your writing has encouraged me to continue my own site now :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much and I'm glad you are keeping on going with your own site

      Delete
  4. joanie9:39 PM

    Hi, I just found your blog and Ive just started with acupuncture to help my fibromyalgia syndrome so I'll et you know hoe i go, ok.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Joanie, that would be great. I would love to here of some other people's experiences with acupuncture for chronic pain and fibromyalgia

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  5. Christel10:46 PM

    Christel 10:40 PM
    I have Fibromyalgia for years. Tramadol helps with the pain
    I also had Fibro fog. As long as was physical working , I had no pain. Since 8 Months I am on the Ketogenic diet and I have no more pain,don't use Tramadol but Fibro fog all day long. I wonder if Tramadol would stop the fog and not only the pain.

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  6. I blog often and I truly appreciate your information.
    Your article has truly peaked my interest in acupuncture. I will bookmark your site and keep checking for new information about once a week.
    I subscribed to your Feed too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Chloe4:08 PM

    Greetіngs, I'm Chloe and I've just recentlу just bеgun acupuncture. So will keep you informed of how it goes.
    Thanκs fоr the post: I wаs looking fοг encouragement.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Heather4:13 PM

    My brother recommended I might like this because I have Fibro.
    He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cannot imagine just how much time I had spent looking for this information on alternative therapies like acupuncture! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Helpful information. Fortunately for me I found your site unintentionally, and I'm surprised why this coincidence didn't take place earlier! I am into Beauty, health and fitness. I bookmarked yours.

    Feel free to visit my post about healthiest juicing recipes

    ReplyDelete
  10. Other tests and treatments can help lupus and fibromyalgia. But no doubt be on hand to make your injections a bit stronger now from fighting our battles.

    ReplyDelete
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  13. If you've been looking into alternative medicine, you've likely find the terms "complementary medicine" or "integrative medicine." Even if you haven't yet discovered these terms, you soon will if you continue to dig deeper.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your input