As one of the leading alternative therapies, acupuncture involves the insertion of sterile needles into the skin. In acupuncture theory, the primary reason for pain and illness is congested energy (qi). Congested qi and its human repercussions are analogous to a heavy storm’s debris clogging a creek’s thoroughfare, preventing water flow downstream of the obstruction. To initiate qi’s unobstructed movement, acupuncture needles are strategically placed in the body. Acupuncturists aim to free any blocked qi (the most common cause of pain), which ensures optimal health.
Used as a primary healthcare method for over 5,000 years, acupuncture has a lot to offer people suffering from fibromyalgia. Many research studies have supported the use of acupuncture for various pain and fatigue disorders. However, the variability in acupuncture’s diagnosis and treatment strategies makes it challenging to study. While a western medical doctor will traditionally prescribe the same protocol for everyone with the same disorder, acupuncturists assess each individual in terms of their specific energetic imbalance. Therefore, ten people with fibromyalgia will likely receive ten different energetic diagnoses, and are subsequently administered a customized treatment plan.
Proven
With over 6 million Americans battling fibromyalgia, and no effective western medical treatment to relieve its symptoms, more people than ever are turning to the successes of alternative medicine. Although dozens of alternative methods may taut themselves as effective in conquering fibromyalgia, few have the scientific proof to support these claims.
Published in the March/April 2006 edition of Alternative Therapies, acupuncture therapy is finally proven to have a significant therapeutic advantage in treating fibromyalgia. In addition to demonstrating effective reversal of arthritis and other chronic pain disorders, acupuncture is now specifically proven to improve fibromyalgia’s painful symptoms.
The nature of clinical research is such that studies need to include uniform subject selection, criteria and treatment administration. This poses a quandary to acupuncture because of the possible different diagnoses and treatments employed per individual. A recent study cited in Alternative Therapies was structured to satisfy the stringent expectations of sound medical research. In Southern California, treatments were administered two times a week for a total of two months. The same acupuncture point combinations were used with each recipient, dependant only on the western medical diagnosis of fibromyalgia (not the acupuncturist’s energetic diagnosis). The results were statistically significant, demonstrating that regular acupuncture treatments led to decreased pain levels in tender points, without side effects.
Painless
Regardless of their level of pain, the use of needles is enough to deter many people from trying acupuncture. In reality, the sensations of an acupuncture treatment are typically far from what one might expect.
When most people think of needles, images of the instruments used to draw blood or administer injections are typically conjured. These needles are hollow and in a completely different category than thin, solid acupuncture needles. For comparisons sake, a blood drawing needle is to an elephant like an acupuncture needle is to an ant.
The concept, “no pain, no gain” is not applicable to acupuncture therapy. When uncomfortable or in pain, a programmed reaction is to tighten our muscles in an effort to protect our vulnerability. During acupuncture, this response to discomfort or pain works contrary to the intended result. Whether conscious or unconscious, the clenching or tightening associated with discomfort will create pain, inhibit the movement of qi and hinder acupuncture’s effect of relaxing muscle tissue. So, if a client is not relaxed during an acupuncture treatment, then the needles will not have the desired effect.
Acupuncturists are aware of this, typically going to great lengths to bring comfort to their clients. Luckily, acupuncturists can use extremely thin and painless pediatric needles (akin to a flea in the previous needle analogy) to move congested qi. Find a therapist experienced with first time needle-phobes because with experience, focus and high-end needles, an acupuncturist can glide the needles in to their destination without much, if any, awareness of their presence.
The majority of recipients find acupuncture to be the opposite of painful. If considering this option with trepidation, empower yourself by interviewing acupuncturists with the following questions:
· Are you state licensed or nationally certified?
· How much experience do you have with fibromyalgia?
· How long have you been practicing?
· Do you use very thin, silicone-coated (for painless insertion) needles?
· Are you comfortable treating first-time, sensitive patients?
Most importantly, your comfort receiving acupuncture will amplify when you find someone with whom you can communicate freely.
Knowing that acupuncture is painless, one of the few therapies clinically proven to reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and without side effects, there is no reason to procrastinate any longer. Join the thousands who’ve found the power of acupuncture to break fibromyalgia’s painful cycle.
References:
Singh, Betsy B., et al, Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia, Alternative Therapies, March/April 2006, Vol. 12 No. 2
This article was prepared for FibroManage.com. Visit us to learn more about fibromyalgia signs and symptoms.
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