Fibromyalgia and Chinese Medicine
Jiang Liu, L.A.c, Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Clinic, Little Rock, AR
Fibromyalgia (FM) or fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and stiffness, as well as fatigue, poor sleep and the presence of localized tender points. This syndrome affects roughly four to six million Americans, 75% of whom are women between the ages of approximately 35 to 55.
Symptoms Fibromyalgia can vary, depending on weather; stress; physical activity; or just the time of day. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Widespread pain
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Chronic headaches and facial pain
- Heightened sensitivity
- Numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet
- Difficulty concentrating and mood changes
- Chest or pelvic pain
- Irritable bladder
- Dry eyes and mouth
- Sensation of swollen hands and feet
Chinese Medicine Acupuncture or Chinese Medicine has been gaining popularity as an alternative treatment for fibromyalgia, thanks to its effectiveness and less or no side effects. Approximately 20 percent of people who suffer from fibromyalgia undergo acupuncture therapy within two years of diagnosis.
Benefits from acupuncture and herbal medicine
- Less pain
- Less morning stiffness
- Less fatigue
- Less stress or anxiety
- Better sleep
- More relaxation
- Possible immune system boost
- Better overall health
Mechanisms and treatment Chinese medicine views fibromyalgia as a stagnation of qi and blood, deficiency of qi and blood, or imbalance of yin-yang, leading to dysfunction of the varied organs of the body. It often affects liver, spleen, heart, kidney, or multiple organs. The immediate cause is environmental such as Wind, Cold, and Dampness, which penetrate the body’s defenses and lodge in the muscles, tendons and joints, creating obstruction and causing pain, stiffness and other symptoms. The disharmonies of several internal organs in the qi and the blood can predispose a person to fibromyalgia symptoms.
- People under stress often suffer from obstructed flow of qi and blood in the body because stress affects the liver, which is responsible for the smooth flow of qi. Obstruction creates an environment in which pathogens can invade and lodge.
- Insufficient blood and qi can make the body’s energetic pathways incompletely filled, allowing pathogens to invade.
- Genetic predisposition, poor diet, overwork, or insufficient exercise can weaken the internal organs, such as the kidney or spleen – responsible for supplying the kinds of qi that maintain overall resistance – allowing pathogenic Influences to invade as well.
There are four common patterns for fibromyalgia. However, one person may present more than one pattern.
- Liver qi stagnation– anxiety, anger, irritability, headaches, muscle stiffness in neck and shoulders, insomnia, waking frequently, having difficulty falling back to sleep, or irritable bowel syndrome. All symptoms may be triggered by emotional stress.
- Treatment principle: smooth liver, move qi and blood.
- Treatment plan: acupuncture is combined with Chinese herbals, as well as TuiNa or Gwasha or cupping according to individual condition.
- qi and blood deficiency– specifically spleen qi deficiency and heart blood/liver blood deficiency, with such symptoms as chronic fatigue, exhaustion, dull headache, muscle weakness and numbness, insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep and waking up with tiredness, palpitations and depression.
- Treatment principle: tonify qi and blood, calm the spirit
- Treatment plan: acupuncture is combined with Chinese herbals, as well as moxibustion, TuiNa, gwasha or cupping according to individual condition.
- qi stagnation and blood stasis– aches and pains in the whole body, burning or gnawing pain with tingling sensations in extremities, headaches.
- Treatment principle: move the qi and blood, alleviate pain
- Treatment plan: acupuncture is combined with Chinese herbals, as well as moxibustion, TuiNa, gwasha or cupping according to individual condition.
- Kidney deficiency (either yin, yang, qi or essence deficiency)– there will be impotence or lack of libido for males and infertility issues for both males and females. Other symptoms: sore lower back with restless leg syndrome, irritable bladder, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, hot flashes and night sweats.
- Treatment principle: tonify qi, tonify essence and yang, and nourish yin
- Treatment plan: acupuncture is combined with Chinese herbals, as well as moxibustion, TuiNa, gwasha or cupping according to individual condition.