Managing Fibromyalgia with Acupuncture
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious pain disorder that affects a person’s muscle tissues. Though the cause is not well understood, the field of rheumatology believes it to be due to malfunction in the brain’s central process center for pain leading to an increase in sensitivity to stimuli.
There is no known cure for fibromyalgia, but rather a process of managing its symptoms. Researchers at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Ataturk University have been able to make some headway in determining the effects on how acupuncture works as an effective treatment for fibromyalgia by demonstrating its effect on specific substances within the body that are key influencers to the body’s nervous system.
Their study focused on the levels of serotonin, a major neurotransmitter that is present throughout the body and largely responsible for mood, sleep, and other vital bodily functions. It also focused on a particular neuropeptide known as Substance P which has been indicated in pain sensitivity. Acupuncture points that specifically targeted these substances and their origins were selected for the study.
Of the 75 participants in the study, it was found that those who received genuine acupuncture treatments over a period of one to three months (including follow-up treatments), had a noted improvement in their symptoms and that this improvement lasted for a period of several months (and likely longer if done routinely thereafter). The improvement is thought to be due to an increase in blood serotonin levels and a reduction in substance P levels because of these specific acupuncture treatments having been applied consistently according to the prescribed schedule.
Have you received a fibromyalgia diagnosis and are curious to learn more about how acupuncture may help alleviate your symptoms? Reach out to us for a free consultation.