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Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way an individual’s brain and spinal cord process painful and non-painful signals.
It is said that there’s no cure for fibromyalgia at present and not many treatment options are available. Therefore, the focus of any known treatment is to help ease the pain and improve your overall health and the ability to get on with daily life.
How Chinese Acupuncture Helps
Chinese acupuncture, on the other hand, is said to be an effective pain reducer and a natural therapy in relieving various symptoms with the help of Chinese herbal medicine. Therefore, it’s not surprising that research indicates acupuncture for fibromyalgia “may have a beneficial role” in helping to address pain symptoms mainly by encouraging the release of the body’s own painkiller to calm the brains of the patients.
The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia is often described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist.
- Fatigue. People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, even though they report sleeping for long periods of time. Sleep is often disrupted by pain, and many patients with fibromyalgia tend to have other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.
- Cognitive difficulties. A symptom commonly referred to as “fibro fog” impairs the ability to focus, pay attention and concentrate on mental tasks.
What causes Fibromyalgia?
Many researchers believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brain and spinal cord of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain.
In addition, the brain’s pain receptors seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become sensitised, meaning they can overreact to painful and nonpainful signals.
It is believed that a variety of factors contribute to the changes seen in fibromyalgia patients, including:
- Genetics. Because fibromyalgia tends to run in families, there may be certain genetic mutations that may make an individual more susceptible to developing the disorder.
- Infections. Some illnesses appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia.
- Physical or emotional events. Fibromyalgia can sometimes be triggered by a physical event, such as a car accident. Prolonged psychological stress may also trigger the condition.
Natural Symptom Relief for Fibromyalgia:
How does Acupuncture work in treating Fibromyalgia?
Treating fibromyalgia can be challenging and managing its symptoms can be a real struggle. That’s why many people with fibromyalgia turn to complementary and alternative treatments. As stated earlier, of these treatments, acupuncture therapy has more scientific evidence supporting its benefits compared to many others, making it a good option to consider in many cases.
Managing The Flow of Energy in the Body
The theory behind acupuncture is that it works by balancing the flow of energy, or Qi, in the body. In TCM, pain and other symptoms are believed to be caused by disruptions in the flow of Qi. Thus, during an acupuncture treatment, fine needles are inserted to stimulate specific areas in the body, helping to alleviate fibromyalgia signs.
Reducing Pain and Stress in the Body
Researchers have also shown that acupuncture for fibromyalgia can help reduce pain and improve sleep quality. It may also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can further exacerbate symptoms. Above all, compared to many of the medications commonly used to treat fibromyalgia, such as steroids and pain relievers, acupuncture has fewer side effects. So, why not give it a try?
The Importance of Utilising a Qualified Acupuncturist
Moreover, it’s crucial that you find a licensed and qualified acupuncturist who has experience in treating fibromyalgia. At Ponsonby Wellness, we have a well-qualified team experienced in women’s health care, treating our patients with the utmost care from day one, to make sure that your pains and discomfort are reduced. Contact us for more details.