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Experiencing Fibromyalgia? Try Acupuncture!

Posted Monday, May 14th, 2018 by

fibro, fibromyalgia, acupuncture

Fibromyalgia affects millions of people every year. It is complex and common disorder that can affect anyone at any age. It can have a massively negative impact on every aspect of the sufferer’s life, affecting them mentally, socially and physically. There is no cure, and it can vary greatly in intensity in those who suffer from it. To find relief from your symptoms you will need to utilize several different approaches, including medical interventions. Acupuncture can be an effective tool in your treatment plan.

Do You Have Fibromyalgia?

Those with fibromyalgia notice several symptoms:

  • Pain

People with fibromyalgia struggle with pain all over their body, including in the muscles and bones. Some people describe the pain as a continuous ache that lasts for a minimum of three months. For doctors to qualify the pain as widespread, the pain cannot be localized to one area. It must be located below and above the waist, and bilaterally on the body. Scientists think that fibromyalgia intensifies the pain a person feels by impacting the processing of pain signals by the brain.

  • Complaints of fatigue

People who have fibromyalgia complain of constant fatigue, even if they have slept well. This is because people with fibromyalgia are often awoken by the pain. They may also have separate sleep problems, like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome (RLS).

  • Thought process disruption

Fibromyalgia can cause difficulty in focusing, concentrating or paying attention.

What Other Health Problems Are Linked to Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia can coexist with numerous other health conditions that can also be helped by acupuncture. You should be sure to keep your doctor up to date with any problems you may be having. These are common in people who suffer from fibromyalgia, which is why doctors frequently ask you if you are experiencing other symptoms such as neck or back pain, headaches, jaw pain, IBS, and frequent or painful urination. You may also suffer from anxiety as a result of your fibromyalgia.

Some of these problems can coexist with fibromyalgia because of how your body processes pain signals. Fibromyalgia causes your brain to amplify the pain signals it receives. This means you will feel a lot more pain than other people exposed to the same pain stimuli.

Can Acupuncture Help with My Pain?

There has been much research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating fibromyalgia. Most of these studies show that acupuncture can be an incredibly beneficial addition to your treatment plan. There is no cure for this condition, and no one treatment plan works for everyone. A majority of people will find relief from getting these treatments. If you have tried other things and failed to get relief, acupuncture is definitely something you should check out. You have nothing to lose, especially when you’re in constant pain.

Acupuncture is not an instant fix to your problem. It takes time for it to start working. After a few treatments, you should know whether or not it is working for you. It is important that you only go to a reputable practitioner who has experience in acupuncture. This will ensure you get the best-quality treatment.

Acupuncture and Fibromyalgia

Acupuncture is an alternative medicine, a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine used to help relieve the pain caused by fibromyalgia. During treatments, the acupuncturist strategically, yet gently, places thin acupuncture needles in specific acupuncture points on the body. The needles are inserted for about 30 minutes and are sometimes accompanied by either electrical impulses or heat. As long as acupuncture is done by a licensed acupuncturist, it does not carry many risks. Results are usually noticed within the first few weeks of treatment. There are differing results in studies on how effective acupuncture is for relieving fibromyalgia symptoms. However, most point to the helpfulness of the treatment.

Fibromyalgia is painful, but it can be managed effectively. Acupuncture is a great way to treat the chronic, widespread pain that comes with it. It relatively-safe, drug-free and can be used either in combination with or instead of prescription medicines. It is effective for most people. If other treatments for fibromyalgia haven’t worked for you, consider trying acupuncture and see if it helps you feel better sooner.

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