The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists (CDC) defines Fibromyalgia as a disorder of unknown etiology. It is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue. Individuals with Fibromyalgia experience symptoms such as morning stiffness, headaches (such as migraine), tingling or numbing in hands and feet, sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome, among others.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), more and more studies have found that complementary health approaches, such as tai chi, qi gong, and massage therapy, may help relieve symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
Scientific research has also revealed the following discoveries.
- Research suggests that tai chi-a practice originating in China that involves moving the body slowly, gently, and with awareness-may provide a benefit to patients with fibromyalgia. A 2010 NCCAM-funded study compared the effects of a tai chi program with a wellness education and stretching program for managing fibromyalgia over a 12-week period. The researchers found that the participants in the tai chi group had significant improvements in symptoms such as pain, sleep quality, depression, and quality of life, and maintained these benefits for up to 24 weeks. A larger followup study of tai chi for fibromyalgia is underway. A 2009 review examined the use of qi gong-another Chinese practice involving physical movement, mental focus, and breathing techniques-for fibromyalgia. The reviewers found that qi gong may improve symptoms related tofibromyalgia.
- A 2009 study compared the effects of manual lymph drainage therapy (a massage technique used to move fluid away from areas where lymph vessels are blocked or damaged) and connective tissue massage in women with fibromyalgia. The researchers found that both types of massage helped to reduce pain, improve quality of life, and increase the pain pressure threshold. Manual lymph drainage therapy had a greater effect on the participants' overallhealth.
- A 2010systematic review o facupuncturefor fibromyalgia concluded that acupuncture had a small pain-relieving effect. However, this effect might have been due to biases in the acupuncturestudies.
- Studies have examined the use of balneotherapy-bath therapy for health purposes-for fibromyalgia. A 2009 systematic review found that balneotherapy may provide some benefit to patients with fibromyalgia, particularly for improving pain. However, because of variations in the study designs and small sample sizes, definite conclusions about the value of balneotherapy cannot be reached based on the currentevidence.
Researchers have looked at whether various types of biofeedback may be helpful for fibromyalgia. However, because studies have been small and because not all studies used rigorous methods (such as comparing true and simulated [sham] biofeedback), it is not yet possible to reach definiteconclusions.
- A 2010 systematic review concluded thathomeopathyhas not been proven beneficial in relieving fibromyalgia symptoms.
- Small studies have examined variousnatural products-such as topical creams containing capsaicin (the substance that gives chili peppers their heat) or dietary supplements like S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) or soy-for fibromyalgia. A 2010 systematic review concluded that there is not enough evidence to determine whether these products provide a health benefit. Researchers are investigating whether low magnesium levels contribute to fibromyalgia and if magnesium supplements might help to reducesymptoms.
- An NCCAM-funded study examined the use of Reiki,a practice based on an Eastern idea that an energy supports the body's natural healing abilities, for fibromyalgia-related pain. The study showed no effect of Reiki on pain or any of the other outcomes measured in the study (physical and mental functioning, medication use, and visits to health careproviders).
Data from NCCAM
