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Fibromyalgia: Can acupuncture relieve symptoms?
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/AN01891
- With Mayo Clinic internist
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Brent Bauer, M.D., is board certified in internal medicine. He is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine and director of the Department of Internal Medicine's Complementary and Integrative Medicine Program at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr. Bauer, a native of Madison, Wis., is also a professor of medicine at Mayo Medical School and a graduate of Mayo Medical School.
He serves on the editorial board of the Mayo Clinic Health Letter and is medical editor for EmbodyHealth Newsletter. He has been on staff at Mayo Clinic since 1992, first practicing at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., before joining Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., in 1996.
Dr. Bauer's principal research focus is the scientific evaluation of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies that patients and consumers are using with increasing frequency. He has authored several book chapters and papers on this topic, and is the medical editor of the "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine." Dr. Bauer also spearheaded collaboration between Mayo Clinic and Gaiam in the creation of a series of 10 DVDs (Mayo Clinic Wellness Solutions). These DVDs address common health problems (for example, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure) with integrative medicine approaches that empower people to take charge of their health. His work is at the forefront of the emerging field of integrative medicine which combines the best of conventional medicine with the best of evidence-based complementary therapies.
Dr. Bauer has served on the NIH-NCCAM study section and is currently collaborating on over 20 studies being conducted at Mayo Clinic evaluating CAM therapies ranging from acupuncture to valerian. He is also a member of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society; the American Federation for Medical Research; the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and other professional organizations.
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Question
Fibromyalgia: Can acupuncture relieve symptoms?
Would acupuncture help lessen my fibromyalgia symptoms?
Answer
from Brent A. Bauer, M.D.
Acupuncture appears to modestly reduce many types of chronic pain, so it's not surprising that many people with fibromyalgia are interested in trying it. While the studies on the effectiveness of acupuncture for fibromyalgia symptoms are somewhat mixed, most suggest that it may have a beneficial role.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles to various depths into strategic points on your body. They are usually left in place for 20 to 30 minutes and sometimes are further stimulated by the addition of heat or electricity. When performed by a trained practitioner, acupuncture has few risks.
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat, and a combination of treatments may be necessary to control your symptoms. If you're having trouble finding relief for your fibromyalgia pain, it may be worth trying acupuncture. But if your symptoms don't begin to improve within a few weeks, acupuncture may not be the right treatment for you.
Next questionFibromyalgia treatment: Is Neurontin effective?
- AskMayoExpert. Acupuncture. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2013.
- Vickers AJ, et al. Acupuncture for chronic pain: Individual patient data meta-analysis. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2012;172:1444.
- Acupuncture for pain. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/acupuncture/acupuncture-for-pain.htm?nav=gsa. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- Fibromyalgia and complementary health approaches. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/pain/fibromyalgia.htm?nav=gsa. Accessed March 4, 2013.
- Martin DP, et al. Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: Results of a randomized controlled trial. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2006;81:749.
- Bauer BA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 4, 2013.
- Goldenberg DL. Treatment of fibromyalgia in adults not responsive to initial therapies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 4, 2013.
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