Acupuncture Can Treat Fibromyalgia

Over 4 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia. If you or someone you love suffers from this chronic disorder, then you know how painful it is. However, many sufferers turn to acupuncture to relieve these symptoms and promote well-being and balance.

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia for many diagnosed with the disorder. Although not for everyone, acupuncture effectively stimulates blood flow, relieves pressure, and decreases inflammation. Some patients even report enhanced moods and better sleep.

There is some disagreement over the science behind fibromyalgia acupuncture treatment. However, if you want to know how it works and how many sessions you might need, you're in the right place. Keep reading to learn more about this beneficial treatment.

How Does Acupuncture Help Fibromyalgia?

Acupuncture provides natural pain relief to those suffering from fibromyalgia. This is accomplished in several ways, but the primary way is through the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body's pain-relieving substances released during the acupuncture session.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic muscular-skeletal disorder that impacts all body and nervous system areas. Common primary symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Aches across the body
• Irritability
• Inability to focus
• Headaches
• Fibromyalgia is commonly accompanied by other secondary symptoms and chronic issues, including:
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Depression
• Chronic fatigue
• Severe joint pain
• Painful bladder syndrome
• Migraines

These secondary and underlining symptoms are essential to understanding how acupuncture can help. Whereas acupuncture helps the primary symptoms of fibromyalgia by stimulating endorphins, it helps secondary symptoms too.

Acupuncture helps enhance mood, improve sleep quality, and alleviate depression symptoms. It stimulates blood flow and enhances energy levels to help alleviate chronic fatigue.

In addition, headaches and migraines are commonly treated through acupuncture by stimulating facial acupuncture points.

How Many Sessions Do You Need?

The number of sessions you will personally need depends on your overall pain and condition. Some have more severe symptoms and may require lifelong sessions to help manage their pain. However, others feel relief after their first session.

You are more likely to feel instant relief if you start your sessions within two years of diagnosis. However, there is no need to wait this long if you feel acupuncture may help your symptoms.

Studies on nine separate groups found that most start to feel pain relief after one month of treatment. This averaged to about 6-8 sessions (or an average of two sessions per week).

Again, this is a very personalized experience. It also varies based on the extent of your issues. You should have a couple of monthly treatments if you suffer mild to moderate joint pain. But, if you experience secondary symptoms, you may require a weekly visit.

Since fibromyalgia is chronic, it is a lifelong issue. If you do not feel any changes or improvements after 12 weeks of treatment, then speak with your therapist. A different method may help, or you might need to seek an alternative treatment.

How Acupuncture Treatment Can Help

While acupuncture seems a little frightening to some, understanding how it improves well-being is essential. The body's natural immunity is stimulated by inserting tiny, thread-thin needles into specific points of the body.

This might seem counterintuitive, but thousands of years of utilization back these pain relief claims. The beauty of acupuncture is it doesn't just relieve pain. It also enhances overall well-being.

If you're suffering from fibromyalgia, don't suffer alone. Please reach out to our staff at Fast Relief Acupuncture and start your healing journey.