fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia affects about 3-6% of the world's population, an estimated 200-400 million people world wide, with higher numbers among women than men. People diagnosed with fibromyalgia experience a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, pain, stiffness, aches and muscle tenderness, along with sleep disorders and intestinal/bowel troubles.

How acupuncture and Oriental medicine can help According to the theories of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, an imbalance in the flow of Qi can create symptoms and signs that reflect a Western diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Qi is the vital energy that animates and supports the functions of the body. It flows through specific pathways, called meridians, and provides nourishment for the entire body. When Qi is abundant and freely circulating throughout the body, there is health and pain-free living. When Qi becomes 'blocked," or the supply is inadequate, apin, stiffness and other symptoms related to fibromyalgia can appear.

What does an acupuncturist do? An acupuncturist will take a complete health history in order to find out where Qi has become blocked , and/or why the amount of Qi within the body has changed. He or she will then develop a treatment plan tailored to address the meridian pathways that are out of balance. The goal of this plan will be to eliminate visible symptoms, while addressing the root cause and underlying imbalances.

What is out-of-balance? The body constantly strives to maintain a healthy balance of Qi traveling through the meridian pathways. When the flow of Qi has been disrupted, or the supply of Qi has changed, the body becomes unbalanced and meridians cannot properly nourish the body. This is when signs and symptoms appear.
Most cases of fibromyalgia fit into the Oriental diagnosis of a Liver, Spleen, and/or Hear disharmony. This does not mean that these organs have a problem, it means that the functions of these organ/meridian pathways, according to Oriental medical diagnosis, are out of balance.

Liver The functions related to the Liver organ, according to Oriental medicine, are to control the smooth flow of blood, Qi, and emotions and to nourish the tendons. When the Live meridian becomes blocked there will be an inadequate supply of blood and Qi flowing throughout the body. The tendons and muscles will not be properly nourished, leading to stiffness and pain. Other symptoms of a blocked Liver are depression, anger, anxiety, and insomnia. A Liver imbalance may be caused by improper diet, stress, deep, unexpressed anger, drugs and alcohol.

Spleen The Oriental function of the Spleen is to transform the food that we ingest into Qi and blood. The health of the Spleen is affected by diet, ver-concentration, and worry. An unbalanced Spleen can result in fatigue, digestive troubles, muscle stiffness and pain.

Heart When there is an insufficient amount of Qi and blood produced by the Spleen, the Heart organ will be affected. The role of the Heart is to pump blood throughout the body. It is also generate enough blood to nourish the Heart, the Heart Qi does not have enough control to properly house the Spirit. Symptoms can include anxiety, palpitations, insomnia, and emotional unrest.

A study conducted in 2010, suggests that acupuncture treatment is effective in relieving pain and improving quality of life for fibromyalgia patients. Not only can Acupuncture treat the pain and discomfort, but it can also address the underlying problems that have caused the imbalance.

In other research, subjects who received acupuncture experienced an overall improvement in fatigue, anxiety and the hypersensitivity associated with fibromyalgia.

​Acupuncture and Chinese medicine can provide a safe alternative in the effective treatment of fibromyalgia. Along with acupuncture, natural herbal formuals, dietary recommendations and calming exercise can also help promote balance and health.

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