If you’ve heard the word “fibromyalgia” and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. It’s a condition that affects approximately 2–4% of the population, which translates to between 160 and 240 million people. It’s more common in women and is frequently diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 60, but it can occur at any time and at any age.

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over your body. Imagine having sore muscles after an intense workout, but that feeling never goes away – that’s similar to what people with fibromyalgia experience every day.

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

People with this condition often feel:

• Pain in their muscles and joints
• Extreme tiredness (called fatigue)
• Trouble sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating (sometimes called “brain fog”)
• Headaches
• Sensitivity to touch, light, or sound

The tricky thing about fibromyalgia is that doctors can’t see it on X-rays or blood tests. It’s diagnosed based on how a person feels and where they experience pain.

What causes fibromyalgia?

Scientists aren’t entirely sure what causes fibromyalgia, but they think it happens when the brain and nervous system become extra sensitive to pain signals. It’s as if your body’s pain alarm system gets stuck in “high alert” mode.

Some things that might trigger fibromyalgia include:

• Stressful events
• Infections
• Injuries
• Family history (it sometimes runs in families)

Conventional treatments for fibromyalgia

Doctors usually treat fibromyalgia with a combination of approaches:

• Medications to help with pain and sleep
• Regular exercise (even though it might seem counterintuitive)
• Stress management techniques
• Physical therapy
• Getting enough quality sleep

Can acupuncture help with fibromyalgia?

Acupuncture is a treatment that has been practised for many years. It started in China and involves placing skinny needles (thinner than the needles used for injections) into specific points on your body.

The basic idea is that your body has energy pathways, and when these become blocked or unbalanced, you can experience pain or become ill. The needles help restore balance and encourage your body to heal itself.

Research suggests that acupuncture might help people with fibromyalgia in several ways:

Pain Relief: Many individuals report experiencing reduced pain after acupuncture sessions. The needles may help release natural pain-fighting chemicals in your body, known as endorphins.

Better Sleep: Since poor sleep often exacerbates fibromyalgia, acupuncture’s ability to promote relaxation and improve sleep can be beneficial.

Reduced Stress: Acupuncture sessions are often very relaxing, which can help manage the stress that sometimes makes fibromyalgia symptoms worse.

Improved Energy: Some individuals report increased energy and reduced fatigue after regular acupuncture treatments.

Studies on fibromyalgia and acupuncture

Studies on acupuncture for fibromyalgia show mixed but generally positive results.

Some research suggests that people who get acupuncture experience:

• Less pain intensity
• Better quality of life
• Improved sleep
• Reduced fatigue

However, researchers are still studying exactly how effective it is and for whom it is most effective.

What to expect from your acupuncture treatment

If you’re considering acupuncture for fibromyalgia, here’s what typically happens:

• An AHPRA-registered acupuncturist will ask about your symptoms and health history
• They’ll examine you and create a treatment plan
• During treatment, you’ll lie down while thin needles are placed at specific points
• You might feel a slight pinch when needles go in, but it usually doesn’t hurt
• Sessions typically last 30-45 minutes
• You might need multiple sessions to see results

The Bottom Line

Fibromyalgia can be a challenging condition to live with, but there are many treatment options available. Acupuncture is a complementary modality that some people find helpful in conjunction with traditional medical care.

While acupuncture isn’t a cure for fibromyalgia, it might help reduce pain and improve quality of life for some people. Remember, everyone’s experience with fibromyalgia is different, so what helps one person might not help another.

Here are some details about your local AHPRA-registered practitioner.

Book your appointment today or reach out with any questions that you might have.