Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia: Proven and Painless

As one of the leading alternative therapies,enough to deter many people from trying
acupuncture involves the insertion of sterile needlesacupuncture. In reality, the sensations of an
into the skin. In acupuncture theory, the primaryacupuncture treatment are typically far from what
reason for pain and illness is congested energy (qi).one might expect.
Congested qi and its human repercussions areWhen most people think of needles, images of the
analogous to a heavy storm's debris clogging ainstruments used to draw blood or administer
creek's thoroughfare, preventing water flowinjections are typically conjured. These needles are
downstream of the obstruction. To initiate qi'shollow and in a completely different category than
unobstructed movement, acupuncture needles arethin, solid acupuncture needles. For comparisons sake,
strategically placed in the body. Acupuncturists aim toa blood drawing needle is to an elephant like an
free any blocked qi (the most common cause ofacupuncture needle is to an ant.
pain), which ensures optimal health.The concept, "no pain, no gain" is not applicable to
Used as a primary healthcare method for over 5,000acupuncture therapy. When uncomfortable or in pain,
years, acupuncture has a lot to offer peoplea programmed reaction is to tighten our muscles in an
suffering from fibromyalgia. Many research studieseffort to protect our vulnerability. During acupuncture,
have supported the use of acupuncture for variousthis response to discomfort or pain works contrary
pain and fatigue disorders. However, the variability into the intended result. Whether conscious or
acupuncture's diagnosis and treatment strategiesunconscious, the clenching or tightening associated
makes it challenging to study. While a westernwith discomfort will create pain, inhibit the movement
medical doctor will traditionally prescribe the sameof qi and hinder acupuncture's effect of relaxing
protocol for everyone with the same disorder,muscle tissue. So, if a client is not relaxed during an
acupuncturists assess each individual in terms of theiracupuncture treatment, then the needles will not
specific energetic imbalance. Therefore, ten peoplehave the desired effect.
with fibromyalgia will likely receive ten differentAcupuncturists are aware of this, typically going to
energetic diagnoses, and are subsequentlygreat lengths to bring comfort to their clients. Luckily,
administered a customized treatment plan.acupuncturists can use extremely thin and painless
Provenpediatric needles (akin to a flea in the previous needle
With over 6 million Americans battling fibromyalgia,analogy) to move congested qi. Find a therapist
and no effective western medical treatment toexperienced with first time needle-phobes because
relieve its symptoms, more people than ever arewith experience, focus and high-end needles, an
turning to the successes of alternative medicine.acupuncturist can glide the needles in to their
Although dozens of alternative methods may tautdestination without much, if any, awareness of their
themselves as effective in conquering fibromyalgia,presence.
few have the scientific proof to support these claims.The majority of recipients find acupuncture to be the
Published in the March/April 2006 edition ofopposite of painful. If considering this option with
Alternative Therapies, acupuncture therapy is finallytrepidation, empower yourself by interviewing
proven to have a significant therapeutic advantage inacupuncturists with the following questions:
treating fibromyalgia. In addition to demonstrating· Are you state licensed or nationally
effective reversal of arthritis and other chronic paincertified?
disorders, acupuncture is now specifically proven to· How much experience do you have with
improve fibromyalgia's painful symptoms.fibromyalgia?
The nature of clinical research is such that studies· How long have you been practicing?
need to include uniform subject selection, criteria and· Do you use very thin, silicone-coated (for
treatment administration. This poses a quandary topainless insertion) needles?
acupuncture because of the possible different· Are you comfortable treating first-time,
diagnoses and treatments employed per individual. Asensitive patients?
recent study cited in Alternative Therapies wasMost importantly, your comfort receiving acupuncture
structured to satisfy the stringent expectations ofwill amplify when you find someone with whom you
sound medical research. In Southern California,can communicate freely.
treatments were administered two times a week forKnowing that acupuncture is painless, one of the few
a total of two months. The same acupuncture pointtherapies clinically proven to reduce the pain of
combinations were used with each recipient,fibromyalgia and without side effects, there is no
dependant only on the western medical diagnosis ofreason to procrastinate any longer. Join the
fibromyalgia (not the acupuncturist's energeticthousands who've found the power of acupuncture
diagnosis). The results were statistically significant,to break fibromyalgia's painful cycle.
demonstrating that regular acupuncture treatmentsReferences:
led to decreased pain levels in tender points, withoutSingh, Betsy B., et al, Effectiveness of Acupuncture in
side effects.the Treatment of Fibromyalgia, Alternative Therapies,
PainlessMarch/April 2006, Vol. 12 No.
Regardless of their level of pain, the use of needles is