ACUPUNCTURE IN THE TREATMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA.

ACUPUNCTURE; ALTERNATIVE medicine; FIBROMYALGIA; FASCIITIS; PATIENTS; PAIN

The article cites a research study that examines whether acupuncture is effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a common cause of chronic diffuse pain. The syndrome is most common in women aged 20 to 60 years, with a prevalence of between 2% and 5%. Seven studies were identified and summarized. The average patient age ranged from 39 to 51 years, with women comprising the majority of patients. Most patients had previous treatment with tricyclic antidepressants. The mean disease duration varied from 6 and 12 years. This was a well-executed systematic review of the literature, with an emphasis on randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies. Researchers randomized patients with fibromyalgia to either real or sham electroacupuncture. Six sessions of electroacupuncture were scheduled during which patients had needles inserted along common anatomic points. This study found significant differences in pain relief, pain threshold, morning stiffness, and global subjective ratings of both patients and physicians.