In our pursuit of pain relief, Fibromyalgia & other Chronic Pain patients are always looking for something better when it comes to treatment.  Most of the time, medications are not enough and we look to alternative ways to treat our pain.  Acupuncture and Energy Therapy (Emotional Freedom Techniques) are two methods that have shown to have some benefit for chronic pain sufferers.

Acupuncture is an important element of Traditional Oriental Medicine (TOM).  Acupuncture is thought to have originated in China and is most commonly associated with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Different types of acupuncture (Japanese, Korean, and classical Chinese acupuncture) are also practiced world-wide.

Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles at specific points (acupoints) which are primarily located along meridians.  Meridians are interconnected channels throughout the body and the theory is that these meridians hold vital energy (a€œChia€) that circulates through the body. This energy flow is crucial to ones overall health and well-being.  If the energy flow is blocked, it can lead to pain and health problems.  There are twelve main meridians of energy and eight located in a€œinner pathwaysa€.  The use of Acupuncture stimulates certain points in the energy channels, restoring a healthy flow and balance.

TOM is becoming increasingly popular to treat Fibromyalgia in the U.S. to relieve chronic pain and FM symptoms along with the over-lapping conditions we face.  It is also being used for a multitude of other conditions: sinusitis, common cold, bronchitis, asthma, conjunctivitis (pink eye), nearsightedness and cataracts, toothache, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders including paralysis following stroke, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, sciatica, osteoarthritis.

Theory suggests that numerous emotional and psychological disorders can be treated by acupuncture, which can help with addictions, phobias, obsessive behavior, eating disorders, and anxiety. Acupuncture can also be beneficial when used in conjunction with conventional medicine for both acute and chronic disease.  It is also used as a form of preventative medicine.

The National Institutes of Health issued a statement indicating that acupuncture seems most beneficial for pain from musculoskeletal conditions and nausea.  More research is being done to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating and possibly preventing Fibromyalgia and other conditions.  In a Mayo Clinic Proceedings (June edition) study, it says that acupuncture can relieve fatigue and anxiety in FM patients.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) is a form of psychological acupressure. The basic theory of Energy Therapy or EFT is that all negative emotional and physiological issues are caused by a disruption to your energy system.  This is the same energy flow involving meridians that is used in acupuncture.  EFT can be used for pain relief, but in theory, you have to determine the main cause of the pain - the emotional side of the pain.  There is an undeniable link between our emotions and our physical body.

FM patients have to deal with the stress and demands of everyday life just like anyone else, but sometimes our coping mechanisms are out of whack, so to speak. The pressure, stress and anxiety builds up and we are left feeling like everything is out of control. We feel helpless and overwhelmed. With some patients, there is often a traumatic event that has inflamed their inability to cope, whether it be a physical or emotional trauma, it can leave us with the feeling of hopelessness. EFT is a gentle and noninvasive tool to address and mitigate perception and the reality of stress.

The main goals of EFT are to remove negative emotions, lessen food cravings, decrease or eliminate pain and to instill positive goals. This is done by the practitioner tapping their fingertips on the meridians on your head and chest while you think about your emotional barriers along with verbalizing positive affirmation.  In theory, the combination of these things helps remove the emotional barriers from your energy system and reestablishes your mind/body balance.

This does mean that Fibromyalgia is a€œall in your heada€!  No one can legitimately say that!  It is simply a fact that our emotional health is absolutely essential to our physical health and healing.  You can change your eating habits and lifestyle, but your body cannot completely heal without removing the emotional barriers that trip you up. 

The disc is a small cartilage pad that is situated between two vertebras in your spine.  The soft jelly-like center (called the nucleus pulposus), is surrounded by layers of fibrous tissues.  Each disc acts as a shock absorber for the spine and provides space between adjacent vertebrae.  When healthy, discs allow for normal turning and bending.

Since intervertebral discs have a very poor blood supply, they depend on normal joint motion and the circulation of their surrounding joint fluids to bring in nutrients and remove waste.  If a spinal joint loses its normal motion and this pumping action is compromised, the health of the disc deteriorates.  Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible.  A dry disc is like a sponge that is hard, stiff, and can crack easily.  This is how many disc problems begin.

Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot "slip" as is commonly thought.  However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniated, or completely rupture.  This can be very painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, interfering with their function.

The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to restore better motion and position to the spinal joint.  Besides reducing disc bulging, better spinal function helps reduce inflammation and begin the slow process of healing the soft tissues near the area of injury.  Many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills by choosing conservative care.

I've tried NSAID's, flexeril, steroids, neurontin, lyrica, numbing patches, vicodin and darvocet, heating pads, ice packs, hot tubs, regular exercise, and most recently acupuncture. Acupuncture gave me a modicum of relief the first 2 months, but then slowly began to lose it's efficiency and is now not worth the money. (Not covered by insurance) This disease has me in tears every day and every night. Most days I have trouble functioning and living my life in a normal way. I'm sick, I'm tired, I'm depressed, and yes, I feel damn well sorry for myself. I doesn't help any that there are still medical professionals that seem to give you a wink and a nod when you describe your symptoms; as if to say, "It's really all in your head, but I'll take pity on you and throw a couple of pain pills your way". The stress of that kind of nonchalant treatment exacerbates my symptoms and angers me. I don't want your pain pills, I want some action to help solve whatever is causing these symptoms to attack my body, Does ANYBODY have any new or innovative treatment or information on fibromyalgia that might give those of us who suffer from it hope, promise, faith that things might get better for fibromyalgia sufferers?

I have fibromyalgia and the pain has become so debilitating that I am on the verge of quitting my job as a nurse and selling my house for a smaller one story. My whole way of life has desinigrated into nothing but severe and exruciating pain. I am seeing a pain management dr but it takes an act of congress to get pain meds, and finally she did write me an rx, but it's not enough. I didn't get out of bed all weekend because of the pain. I have had trigger point injections, prolotherapy, accupuncture, phys therapy etc. Can anyone recommend a Dr who specializes in fibro/pain in the Va/Nc area?

Researchers have found that at least three million people suffer from fibromyalgia. Others suggest the number is closer to eight or nine million. Thousands are now finding relief with acupuncture for fibromyalgia.

The American College of Rheumatology reports that fibromyalgia is second only to arthritis when it comes to rheumatic disorders in the United States. There is no known cause for fibromyalgia (FMS).

It is believed it can be triggered by events such as a viral or bacterial infection, a car accident or the development of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or hypothyroidism. These events may awaken a physiological abnormality that already exists in the body.

Whatever the cause, there are some exciting new developments for treating the constant pain associated with fibromyalgia. And one of the most promising is acupuncture.

Acupuncture has been used throughout China for thousands of years. A research study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health in 1997 found acupuncture for fibromyalgia to be an effective treatment.

Dr. Don Goldenberg, a fibromyalgia specialist at Newton Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts, finds that acupuncture for fibromyalgia gives positive results when used along with more conventional treatments. "Acupuncture clearly can help lots of chronic pain issues, including fibromyalgia, reports Dr. Goldenberg.

Acupuncture for fibromyalgia is not a cure, but it can help control the symptoms. It does not work for everyone.

"Some people respond spectacularly - but not all, reports Dr. Wendell Hatfield, a Denver rheumatologist who is also trained in acupuncture. "And as with all treatments for chronic conditions, it's not a cure."

Acupuncture is not painful. Very thin needles are inserted into the skin at specific points in the body.

Acupuncture is based on a theory that an essential life energy called "chi" (qi) flows through the body along channels called meridians. According to Chinese theory, pain results when the flow of qi is blocked or out of balance.

Acupuncture for fibromyalgia stimulates specific points along the meridians, to restore correct the flow of qi so the pain will be relieved.

Western scientists aren't sure how acupuncture for fibromyalgia works. They believe the acupuncture points are related to known trigger points rich in nerve endings. When acupuncture points are stimulated, chemicals are released into the muscles, spinal cord and brain that produce the body's natural pain-killing endorphins.

In addition to medications and acupuncture, patients have had some success with physical therapy, acupressure, relaxation/biofeedback, chiropractic treatment, therapeutic massage, or an appropriate exercise program.

A great source of information on the latest treatments for Fibromyalgia is the Fibromyalgia Network. Their publications are very patient friendly and describe the latest research. Contact them at 800-853-2929. Take the first step toward getting relief for Fibromyalgia naturally by trying acupuncture for fibromyalgia.

I am curious to learn what alternative medicines exist for the following ailments (not for myself)?

-high blood pressure
-arthritis/ fibromyalgia
-obesity
-depression/anxiety

I am already on prescription Celebrex for my fibromyalgia, I have been since I was 20. (I'm nearing 30 now.) I also take Rozerem to try to get a restful sleep, otherwise I am in a vivid dream state all night and never hit deep sleep. Even with the Rozerem when I wake up feeling rested it is a big deal so I get really excited.

I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was 15. I have been in pain since I was 12 and in 7th grade and constantly fatigued, sometimes with tingling in my hands, feet, and along my spine, what is probably the driest most sensitive skin on earth, always cold (since I had scarlet fever twice when I was 4).

The pain is always there, and I barely notice low-grade pain anymore, the fatigue never, ever leaves. So the pain has been bearable the majority of the time since going on Celebrex, but sometimes I'll have a flare up that will hurt so bad I'll just cry and cry but nothing helps it. Usually the flare up only lasts one to four months (at longest). I have bad pain about 25% of the time but don't consider it a flare up until it has brought me to tears a couple of times and/or I have had to stay home because I hurt too bad and was too tired to leave.

Right now 13 of the 18 pressure points hurt so bad that if I'm in the shower and the spray of water touches one I almost scream, and by nighttime I am wrapping my arms around my knees crying. The pressure points hurt plus every muscle in my entire body. I can feel the muscles across my temples, my neck, all of them in my upper shoulders, my lower back, each tendon in my hand, my wrists, my arms, my legs...even the arches of my feet and my toes can't stand to be touched. I have tried lightly massaging my feet but it makes me cry to touch it hard enough to feel with my fingers. Even with the Rozerem I can't sleep because I hurt so bad.

Sitting, standing, or lying nothing seems to help. I'm dizzy all the time lately and in pain. I have a sinus infection but the pain and feelings of fatigue and general health overall are way more than a sinus infection. This is the worst flare up I've had since March 2005. I can't even think straight because I just hurt.

I don't think that people take me seriously at all because I'm not in this much pain all of the time (thank God!) and I can't say exactly what caused it by pointing to a specific even, i.e. I was never in a car wreck, or had cancer, ect. I mean I've been reading about it some, and I know that it isn't in my head, but I don't think that other people understand that.

I have a doctor appointment a week from Monday. I'm going to ask him about going on Cymbalta, I read that it is FDA approved to help anxiety (I have PTSD, and I think that PTSD is under the anxiety category) as well as for fibroymyalgia.

I don't get to see him though for another week and two days. I have tried four Advil at a time, lots of water, herbal tea, and hot water bottles. I don't know what to do. It won't go away and I have no idea how much longer this flare up will last. Even when I do make it to sleep with the Rozerem I will only get about 6 hours of sleep in at most because I wake up every 45 minutes from the pain in my sleep.

I don't know what to do, and I'm starting to cry again. What else can I do until I get to see that doctor? If he can't help what do I do? I'm afraid that people won't believe me but I really am in some God awful pain right now. I know that a lot of people hurt a lot worse, but I do know that I can't take this pain anymore. I feel like I'm going to implode on myself or something. I can't stand it because nothing helps any...lying down, sitting, standing, hot shower or bath, four Advil, hot water bottles, water, herbal tea, touch...nothing helps, it seems to get worse daily.

I am a student and don't have a lot of money (that means no acupuncture--I begged my parents for it in HS). I need really, really need something to help though! I rented a yoga for wimps dvd at the library, but I'm hurting so bad that sitting in my tile floor and stretching sounds so painful. I don't know what to do!!!

How can I help to ease the pain I'm in right now and how can I make sure that I take control of what happens with the doctor? I'm going to ask him about it because he said that he would put me on a SSRI for the PTSD. I thought that if he did that then I should just ask him to put me on Cymbalta since it does both. I didn't want to go to my family doctor about getting Cymbalta when the next week he gives me an anti-depressant then I have to make them get together before I even get the right medicine.

I don't know what to do. I can't take this anymore!!! How do I ease the pain?
Money isn't just an issue, at this point it isn't even an option. I'm a year from graduation but until I graduate college I barely, and some months don't, have the money to put gas in my car. I have Medicaid, so I can get medicine, but right now I don't have the money to do anything in the way of alternative medicine. Medicaid just pays for the basics as far as doctors. I think I'm going to make an appointment tomorrow with my regular family doctor, though. Thanks everyone for their advice!

Acupuncture has always been part of ancient Chinese medicine.  The principles of acupuncture are very similar to acupressure.

Fine needles are inserted to stimulate specific points in the skin called meridians which are considered to be energy paths to treat illness and ensure general good health.

When someone becomes sick or is injured, the chi (pronounced either 'chee' or 'kie', like pie) gets blocked and positive energy is prevented for getting through.

On the body's exterior surface, there are 365 different points of acupuncture spread all over, and all these points follow 14 main meridian paths.

When specially designed needles or acupressure are placed at certain locations on the meridians the blocks are released thus enabling the chi to circulate freely.

The concept is similar to clearing blocks that are stopping a river from flowing freely.  Acupuncture normalizes the flow of 'chi' so that it flows freely and steadily, not too fast and not too slow.

This type of healing has been done in China for the past 4,000 years, and was discovered when these needles were found in archaeological digs of the late Shang Dynasty (c.1000 BC).

The three kinds of acupuncture are traditional Yin/Yang Theory, Five Elements, and the Western or medical acupuncture.

The methods used in the different types of this medicine, both to diagnose as well as to treat, are the same, but the approach towards determining the origin of the illness and the treatment vary somewhat between styles.

The first type, the five-element acupuncture, is based on the five-element cycle known in Chinese medicine.  The fundamental principle is that an illness can be due to a physical cause or emotional stress.

This belief leads to the thought physical illness can only be healed if inner stress is removed.

The process used in Five elements is long, because it does not merely cure the symptoms but the reason behind the illness as well.  Because of this, the process takes a longer period of time to reach full recovery.

According to the Yin/Yang theory the overall balance of the Yin and Yang has to be maintained for good health. In this type of acupuncture different points are pierced with the needles all along the meridians in order to help cure and affect different illnesses in your body.

Western acupuncture focuses on short-term, immediate cure of illnesses, and combines both Western and Eastern medical techniques.  There are two sub-categories of this method.

The first is the anesthetic acupuncture, and is used is surgical and dental procedures.  Again it is used as an analgesic for temporary but immediate effect.

The second category is acupuncture used to treat long-term illnesses.

This category is very effective for treating allergies, depression, arthritis, asthma, gynecological disorders, infertility, high blood pressure and migraines, as shown by respectable and reputable medical researches.

Acupuncture is one of the most effective methods to treat chronic illnesses that haven?t had satisfactory results from traditional treatment or when the illness is caused by problems associated with lifestyle.

I went to see an acupuncturist last Thursday for some health issues I've been having (bladder issues, pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, permanent nausea & anxiety) and ever since then my stomach has felt almost "swollen", and my anxiety level has been through the roof. The needles were placed on my ankle/foot area, wrists, and stomach. Has anyone had an experience like this before? Could my problems be getting worse due to the acupuncture or do they get worse before they get better? If so, how long does it take for all of this to calm down!? (generally speaking...) I can't live like this!!!!!

I have had fibromyalgia for a few years, and really can't remember what it feels like to feel "good." I was searching for treatments and saw that accupucture might help. Has anyone had successful treatment with accupuncture? Or any other remidies for that matter. Thanks!