Fibromyalgia (FM) is a long-term condition that causes pain
all over the body. It is a common disease. According to NHS Choices
nearly 1 in 20 people may be affected by fibromyalgia to
some degree. If you have increased sensitivity to pain,
fatigue, muscle stiffness, difficulty sleeping, memory and concentration
problems. You might suffer from FM.
How
to treat FM? If a patient was suspected
suffer from FM, their GP will usually refer them to a rheumatologist, neurologist or psychologist.
Usually the patients will be given pain killers, antidepressants,
muscle relaxants and sleeping pills. These medications may often cause a number
of side effects, when used long term. Some non-pharmacological treatment plans are
suggested by Fibromyalgia Action UK – the only Fibromyalgia association in
UK. In their treatment guidelines acupuncture, massage therapy and herbal remedies are
recommended.
Traditional Chinese medicine uses syndrome differentiation
diagnosis to treat FM.
FM has many symptoms that tend to vary
from person to person. The main symptom is widespread
pain. If the pain is related to cold and dampness weather, it is due to Bi
syndrome; if the pain is sharp and in fixed position with long history, it
might due to blood stasis; if the pain is related with emotional change with
depression, it is due to liver qi stagnation; if the muscles are more stiff than painful, it
might due to blood deficiency; if there is more fatigue and the pain worsens
when muscles overstrain,
it is due to qi deficiency.
The best Chinese medicine treatment is to combine
acupuncture, Tuina massage and Chinese herbal medicine. The acupuncture points selection and herb
selection are varied from person to person. Different syndrome differentiation
diagnosis will use different treatment
principles. For example Taicong (LV3) and Hegu (LI4) can be selected to release
the pain due to Qi stagnation and blood stasis. Zusanli (ST36) and Qihai (RN6)
can be selected to tonify qi and enhance energy levels. Xuehai (SP10) and Geshu
(BL17) can be selected to remove blood stasis; some trigger points or Ashi
points must be selected on the region of pain. The mechanism of acupuncture to release
and relieve pain has been approved by many researches. I have another blog article
discussing this topic so will not mention it further here.
Acupuncture has a better effect when combined with Chinese
herbs. My experience on FM herbal treatment is to use modified Duhuo Jisheng
Tang. It is a classical herbal formula originally from Tang Dynasty (AD 652).
It contained 15 ingredients. We must do a lot of modification according to
clinical symptoms of each individual case. For example: If there is more Qi
deficiency add Huangqi, Baizhu; more blood deficiency add Jixueteng; if there
is severe pain add Yanhushuo, Chuanlianzi. etc.
Tuina massage is the other good treatment for FM, especially
after acupuncture treatment a few minutes of Tuina massage can often make
patients feels much better immediately.
The etiology of FM is not yet certain. Western medicine still
faces many difficulties in its treatment. Fortunately we have complementary medicine
to help patients with this painful condition.
