Fibromyalgia Studies Show Positive Outcomes for Acupuncture - (Source: Acupuncture Today, August 2006)

Recent research suggests acupuncture may provide relief to people afflicted with fibromyalgia. In a pair of studies by two separate research groups, similar results showed a significant improvement for participants in terms of pain and other symptoms. The positive results could lead to a greater acceptance of acupuncture from primary care physicians and specialists in musculoskeletal disorders who treat this common condition.

Although it is often difficult to diagnose, numbers show that close to 4 percent of the population suffers from fibromyalgia. Symptoms of the disease include widespread pain, fatigue and interruptions in sleep patterns, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and facial pain, and heightened sensitivity. Patients have also complained of depression, altered moods, chest pains, dizziness, difficulty concentrating and anxiety. A specific cause for fibromyalgia is still unknown, but some factors that may contribute are chemical changes in the brain, an injury or trauma, a viral or bacterial infection, abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system, or changes in muscle metabolism.

Common treatments used by physicians include analgesic medication, antidepressants and muscle relaxants. Unfortunately, these merely mask the pain and discomfort, but do not work to cure the disease. Acupuncture could help to phase out the need for medicating the disorder.