| With over 10 million women affected with | | | | while the use of pain killing medication was virtually |
| Fibromyalgia Syndrome in the prime of their life | | | | halved, as was the patients' assessment of |
| many suffer and struggle from FMS for years | | | | regional pain levels. There was also a significant |
| before being correctly diagnosed. This debilitating | | | | increase in quality of sleep. The length of time |
| disease affects women and men in an | | | | morning stiffness was experienced only improved |
| approximate ratio of 20:1. The problem begins | | | | a small amount. The fact that there are virtually |
| between 20 - 30 years of age and symptoms | | | | no side effects from electroacupuncture make it |
| usually appear between 20 - 55 years of age. | | | | attractive when compared with pain killing and/or |
| Because there are no laboratory or x-ray | | | | antidepressant medication. *3 |
| examinations to physically prove the presence of | | | | *3 Rheumatol Int, 1998; 18: 35-6. |
| this disease many are convinced by their doctors | | | | Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist, Dr. Martin, has found |
| that it is "all in their heads" making the symptoms | | | | acupuncture relieves. fibromyalgia symptoms . He |
| of this condition even worse. However, today | | | | stated, "Our study was performed on patients |
| "Fibromyalgia is now recognized as one of many | | | | with moderate to severe fibromyalgia. It is my |
| 'central' pain syndromes that are common in the | | | | speculation that if acupuncture works for these |
| general population." *1 | | | | patients with recalcitrant fibromyalgia -- where |
| *1 Therapy Insight: Fibromyalgia--Different Type | | | | previous treatments had not provided |
| of Pain Needing A Different Type of Treatment. | | | | satisfactory relief -- it would likely work for many |
| Posted 07/12/2006 Daniel J Clauw Nature Clinical | | | | of the millions of fibromyalgia patients." |
| Practice Rheumatology. | | | | "Acupuncture could fill a gap in available therapies |
| What is Fibromyalgia? | | | | for the disease as something additive to what |
| The characteristic symptoms of fibromyalgia | | | | medications already can provide," says Dr. Martin. |
| syndrome include widespread pain, fatigue, sleep | | | | "There is no cure available, so patients are often |
| disorders, depression and distress. To fulfill the | | | | left somewhat frustrated by continuing pain and |
| criteria of having a Fibromyalgia Syndrome | | | | fatigue," he says. "Acupuncture is one of the few |
| diagnosis, sufferers must have widespread pain | | | | things shown to be effective for these |
| present in at least 11 out of 18 fibromyalgia | | | | symptoms. It may be particularly attractive to |
| tender points (well-defined body areas) for at | | | | patients who are unable to take medications |
| least 3 months. | | | | because of intolerable side effects." *4 |
| Fibromyalgia Treatment Options | | | | *4 David P. Martin, et al "Improvement in |
| The cause of fibromyalgia.syndrome still remains | | | | Fibromyalgia Symptoms With Acupuncture: |
| uncertain and very few sufferers completely | | | | Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial" Mayo |
| recover from the symptoms of FMS. Hence, a | | | | Clinic Proceedings 2006;81 (6):749-757. |
| wide variety of interventions are used in the | | | | What You can Do to take Charge of your |
| management of Fibromyalgia today with "no clear | | | | Fibromyalgia Symptoms |
| consensus on the treatment of choice... many | | | | Multidisciplinary approaches work best in the |
| individuals afflicted by FM frequently use | | | | management of the physical and mental aspects |
| alternative therapies, indicating dissatisfaction or | | | | of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Treatment should be |
| ineffectiveness with traditional medical therapy."*2 | | | | individualized based on the target symptoms, and |
| Fibromyalgia alternative therapies are generally | | | | disability. Patience and a positive attitude on the |
| perceived to be more "natural" and, as a result, | | | | part of the physician, along with involvement of |
| have fewer adverse effects. | | | | patients and their families will enhance |
| *2 Physical Therapy Modalities in Management of | | | | improvement. Using a combination of fibromyalgia |
| Fibromyalgia Author: Gur, Ali, Current | | | | self care and exercise techniques, alternative and |
| Pharmaceutical Design Volume 12, Number 1, | | | | integrative therapies, exercise, a healthy diet and |
| January 2006, pp. 29-35(7). | | | | nutritional supplements will take you on the road |
| Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia Treatment | | | | to recovery. You are not alone in your search to |
| In a study of 29 patients, all reported reduced | | | | combat Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Open a dialogue |
| pain and tender spots with acupuncture. The | | | | with your doctor or health care professional to |
| acupuncture group, after treatment, required far | | | | discuss various options and strategies to |
| more pressure on tender points to produce pain | | | | overcome your fibromyalgia symptoms. |