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Acupuncture to treat Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread
musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. Tender points
refers to tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly
in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also
experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome,
anxiety and depression and other symptoms which tend to wax and wane over
time.
How Many People Have Fibromyalgia?
According to the
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Although the cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several
theories about causes or triggers of the disorder.
Some scientists believe that the syndrome may be caused by an injury or
trauma. This injury may affect the central nervous system causing a
dysfunction of neuroendocrine or neurotransmitter regulation. Therefore, the
FM patient experiences an increase in pain due to abnormal sensory
processing in the central nervous system.
There are some suggestions that it may be associated with changes in muscle
metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, which cause fatigue and decreased
strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious
agent such as a virus in susceptible people. The virus then becomes a
lingering pathogen which causes the FM patient to chronically feel fatigued
and achyas if they are fighting an infection. Recent studies show that
abnormally low levels of the hormone cortisol may be associated with
Fibromyalgia. Researchers are studying regulation of the function of the
adrenal gland (which makes cortisol) in Fibromyalgia. People whose bodies
make inadequate amounts of cortisol experience many of the same symptoms as
people with Fibromyalgia.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed in conventional Western medicine?
A diagnosis of Fibromyalgia is based on a history of chronic widespread pain
in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum of three months. The
Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia
Currently, modern medicine has very few options for the FM patient. NSAIDs
(non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Tylenol or Advil), muscle
relaxants and anti-depressants can be prescribed but they often are
minimally effective for FM sufferers and have potential side-effects.
Acupuncture has been determined by the World Health Organization to be
effective in the treatment of chronic pain and has listed Fibromyalgia as
one of 40 different conditions effectively treated by acupuncture.
Because Chinese medicine works on a system of diagnoses based on your
individual signs and symptoms there are several ways to treat Fibromyalgia.
Unlike Western medicine, each Fibromyalgia patient is treated differently.
This means that one person who suffers from insomnia and depression receives
a different treatment than someone with irritable bowel syndrome and
anxiety. This is because Chinese medicine has a number of diagnoses by which
it can treat Fibromyalgia.
There are five Chinese medical diagnoses under which FM patients fall. These
five diagnoses are based on specific groups of symptoms (such as the example
above). Within each of these five diagnoses, treatment is further tailored
to focus on the main concern a patient has. This allows acupuncture
treatments to treat each case of FM on a very individual and personal level.
This focus on individual symptoms is what allows acupuncture to help FM
patients where traditional medicine cannot. Each persons needs are
specifically addressed.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbs are commonly used in conjunction with acupuncture treatments.
This is because herbal treatments reinforce the affects of acupuncture on a
biochemical and energetic level. Herbal formulas, like acupuncture
treatments are individually tailored to a patients specific constellation
of symptoms. This means that the 5 to 12 individual herbs combined in one
formula address each aspect of a patients condition.
Addressing the Roots of Fibromyalgia
Chinese medicine takes into account your entire physical and medical
history. On your first visit, your acupuncturist will do a full medical and
physical evaluation, including a discussion of your nutrition and life-style
habits as well as your emotional health. The reason for such an in-depth
examination is so that your acupuncturist can determine the root cause of
the problem according to a Chinese diagnosis.
Once a diagnosis is reached, you and your acupuncturist can discuss ways
that you can help yourself in the time between treatments and for your
future self-care. From our own clinical experience, we have found there are
several key components that contribute to the FM patients optimal health,
all of which can be addressed during the course of your treatment:
Creating a proper nutrition and diet regimen
Determining an appropriate exercise routine
Examining and treating any underlying emotional causes
These components allow patients to take charge of their condition,
empowering them to know intimately their own signs and symptoms and the
factors that contribute to them. With these tools and a regular course of
acupuncture treatments with herbal therapy, the Fibromyalgia patient can
find him or herself living with less pain and with greater ease.
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