Q: What does acupuncture treat? Specifically, is there an acupuncture treatment for fibromyalgia? I’ve tried everything else, but still have no relief.
A: Numerous research studies have looked at acupuncture as a treatment for fibromyalgia, and although a few have shown statistically significant improvement of pain, some have not.
In studies that have indicated some benefit, relief was fleeting. In the majority of patients, it lasted from a few days to a few weeks. Some people had pain relief for up to six months, but there are no reports of long-lasting results.
If you are curious about acupuncture, try three treatments. If you think you have benefited from the sessions, continue up to six or eight treatments. By then, you can decide whether acupuncture is cost-effective helpful enough for you to continue further.
Even if acupuncture is helpful, don’t rely on it as your primary treatment. Use it along with other remedies to provide relief. For example, combine acupuncture with other treatments proven to be effective in people with fibromyalgia, such as exercise, tricyclic antidepressants, pain medication, massage therapy, meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy, Keep in mind that you’ll also have to stick with a regular sleep schedule; improve your diet to be based more on vegetables and less on red meats, refined sugar and processed foods; manage stress; and discontinue smoking, alcohol and caffeine.
You say that you’ve tried everything. In my experience, however, many patients have not found relief because, in looking for a quick fix, they haven’t followed treatments exactly as recommended for along enough period of time or at a high enough dose. If you need specific advice about treatments and combinations to try, please talk to a rheumatologist or pain specialist who has experience in treating people with fibromyalgia
James McKoy, MD, Rheumatologist
I have been taking 6 (count 'em yes, 6) MUCINEX per day, and I have found a great improvement in the pain in my arms, chest, shoulders and upper back. I started in 9/2009 taking 2 MUCINEX per day, and gradually increased. I also take the lowest doses of Lyrica and Cymbalta, Ultram ER for the feeling of "having a sunburn, then getting the chills" and taking Bupropion to improve the depression. Also, taking Tizanidine (generic) muscle relaxant for cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis and muscle spasm, but also for FM rigor. All of this stuff did not take the "achey breaky" feeling away from my upper body until I started taking the MUCINEX. The ingredient in MUCINEX - guafinasen - is relatively harmless to the body - it helps to rid the body of toxins, and I note my urine is not as dark and does not smell like "popcorn" any more. This therapy is very old, I read it on the internet, there are books about it on Amazon.com. Luck to you all 8-)