Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Fibromyalgia

TCM Description

Mainly qi stagnation, often accompanied by Blood Xu.

Signs and Symptoms:

There are nine bilateral pairs of points on the body, most of which are exquisitely tender. (Please note that Acupuncture points have also been included below in brackets for students and practitioners.)

• Insertion of trapezius on occiput (UB10)
• Upper fibres of trapezius (GB21/SJ15)
• Splenius cervicus (SI14)
• Lateral to Posterior Superior Iliac Spine (PSIS) in gluteus medius origin.
• Posterior to greater trochanter.
• Attachment of vastus medialis near patella (near SP10)
• Anterior aspect of extensor muscles near head of radius (near LU5)
• Near attachment of first rib onto sternum (KI26/KI27)
• Sternocleidomastoid muscle belly (CO18)

Treatment

Treatment with TCM can be as good as any. Regulate the Qi and nourish the Blood.

• Acupuncture: Ah shi or local point at each of the sites.
• Acupuncture: Distal points: Taichong (LIV3), Yanglingguan (GB34), Sanyinjiao (SP6)
• Herbs to nourish yin and blood depending on patient. Xiao Yao Wan has both Qi regulating and Blood tonifying properties. Ba Zhen Wan is a stronger blood tonic.
• Exercise for mobility - stretching.
• Relaxation / Meditation

Related Research

Fibromyalgia patients treated with six sessions of acupuncture experienced significant symptomatic improvement compared to a group given simulated acupuncture sessions. Click here to see the full research article.

References

This information has been used with permission from Close to the Bone by David Legge.

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