Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia VS Acupuncture for Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) - we going to talk in this article about diagnosis differentially and acupuncture treatment differentiability.
Acupuncturist licensed, insured, certified. NJ Acupuncture License # 25MZ00078700.
Article updated: 03/29/2025.
Mutual Symptoms:
- muscle sensitive to touch; tension when touch; referral pain;
- slight pressure to trigger point create pain; burning pain with reduced the ROM.
Differentially:
- MPS - pain is local. Fibromyalgia - pain throughout the body.
- MPS - massage, acupuncture - make great result.
- Fibromyalgia - is a long term condition, acupuncture sessions just help temporary release symptoms.
Fibromyalgia means muscular and skeleton pain with fatigue issues and mood, sleep and memory problems.
Sleep interruption with pain - common with Fibromyalgia.
Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Summary: An increasing number of studies support the utilization of acupuncture for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Though no head-to-head comparison was able to show the superiority of acupuncture to other therapies, mounting evidence supports its use as part of multimodal approaches to treatment with additive efficacy to traditional therapy. Further research will likely provide data on effective regimens and combination therapies.
Royal North Shore Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, St Leonards New South Wales Australia Monash Medical Centre, Department of Rheumatology Australia.
Summary: "Low quality evidence from one study (13 participants) showed EA improved symptoms with no adverse events at one month following treatment. Mean pain in the non‐treatment control group was 70 points on a 100 point scale; EA reduced pain by a mean of 22 points (95% confidence interval (CI) 4 to 41), or 22% absolute improvement."
Summary: "Acupuncture has been used for a variety of painful chronic conditions because it may: reduce inflammation; improve circulation; loosen tight muscles; stimulate the release of endorphins (the body’s natural pain reliever).
Because fibromyalgia often brings symptoms that include pain throughout your body, acupuncture is viewed as one option to help alleviate those painful symptoms. There is scientific evidence that acupuncture can have an effect on the nervous system and body tissues. A belief in the procedure or a good relationship with the practitioner may also play a role in any pain relief.
Summary: "We identified 12 randomized controlled trials that compared acupuncture therapy to sham acupuncture or conventional medication. Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture was significantly better than sham acupuncture for relieving pain and improving the quality of life with low- to moderate-quality evidence in the short term. At follow-up in the long term, the effect of acupuncture was also superior to that of sham acupuncture."
Zhang XC, Chen H, Xu WT, Song YY, Gu YH, Ni GX. Acupuncture therapy for fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Pain Res. 2019; 12:527–42.
Harris RE, Tian X, Williams DA, Tian TX, Cupps TR, Petzke F, et al. Treatment of fibromyalgia with formula acupuncture: investigation of needle placement, needle stimulation, and treatment frequency. J Altern Complement Med. 2005; 11(4):663–71.
Assefi NP, Sherman KJ, Jacobsen C, Goldberg J, Smith WR, Buchwald D. A randomized clinical trial of acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture in fibromyalgia. Ann Intern Med. 2005; 143(1):10–9.
Stival RS, Cavalheiro PR, Stasiak CE, Galdino DT, Hoekstra BE, Schafranski MD. Acupuncture in fibromyalgia: a randomized, controlled study addressing the immediate pain response. Rev Bras Reumatol. 2014; 54(6):431–6.
Vas J, Santos-Rey K, Navarro-Pablo R, Modesto M, Aguilar I, Campos M, et al. Acupuncture for fibromyalgia in primary care: a randomised controlled trial. Acupunct Med. 2016; 34(4):257–66.
Deare JC, Zheng Z, Xue CC, Liu JP, Shang J, Scott SW, et al. Acupuncture for treating fibromyalgia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013; 5(5):Cd007070.
Vickers AJ, Vertosick EA, Lewith G, MacPherson H, Foster NE, Sherman KJ, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2018; 19(5):455–74.
Our specific recommendations at 1989 Englishtown Rd., Monroe NJ 08831:
#1 - we offered 45 min session ($100); 60 min advance session ($120); 90 min VIP acupuncture Fibromyalgia treatment ($180). At Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia Monroe Township NJ we recommended to start with 45 min session. Just to get starting level Fibromyalgia pain relive. If your body accepts it we can move forward for 60 min acupuncture Fibromyalgia session and 90 min VIP acupuncture session.
#2 - 45 min Fibromyalgia treatment included: 25 min professional (by Licensed acupuncturist) Acupuncture Meridian massage; 5-10 min for gentle, extremely careful needles insertion; muscular electric stimulation; local (1-2 areas) Tsubo (Japanese term) vibro machine muscular stimulation; 15 min on acupuncture table relaxation; free (after treatment) 15 min Massage Chair (check here how chair looks like).
#3 - 60 min Advance Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia session included: all from 45 min treatment, plus longer Acu Points/meridian massage (40 min total).
90 min VIP Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia treatment included all from 60 min session, plus 15 min of Reflexology for Fibromyalgia and Scalp meridians/acupuncture points local by hands specific massage for blood circulation improvement with special Shiatsu stimulation technique.
#4 - all Credit Cards and Health Saving Plan Cards ACCEPTED.
According Hindawi article: "Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has been defined as a regional pain syndrome characterized by muscle pain caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) clinically. MTrP is defined as the hyperirritable spot in a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle fibers. Appropriate treatment to MTrPs can effectively relieve the clinical pain of MPS. Needling therapies, such as MTrP injection, dry needling, or acupuncture (AcP) can effectively eliminate pain immediately."
Authors: Li-Wei Chou, Mu-Jung Kao, and Jaung-Geng Lin. Academic Editor: Chang-Zern Hong.
"Myofascial pain is one of the most common problems of musculoskeletal pain and is treated with a variety of conservative and invasive therapies. Previous clinical and animal investigations on the MTrP treatments focused on the existence of taut band, LTR, and referral pain. Tender points or MTrPs as “Ah-Shi” points are frequently used in AcP for MPS pain control. Recently, remote effectiveness of AcP (or dry needling) has been emphasized."
C. Z. Hong and D. G. Simons, “Pathophysiologic and electrophysiologic mechanisms of myofascial trigger points,” Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 79, no. 7, pp. 863–872, 1998.
G. Goddard, H. Karibe, C. McNeill, and E. Villafuerte, “Acupuncture and sham acupuncture reduce muscle pain in myofascial pain patients,” Journal of Orofacial Pain, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 71–76, 2002.
L. W. Chou, Y. L. Hsieh, M. J. Kao, and C. Z. Hong, “Remote influences of acupuncture on the pain intensity and the amplitude changes of endplate noise in the myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle,” Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 90, no. 6, pp. 905–912, 2009.
V. Clement-Jones, L. McLoughlin, and S. Tomlin, “Increased β-endorphin but not metenkephalin levels in human cerebrospinal fluid after acupuncture for recurrent pain,” The Lancet, vol. 2, no. 8201, pp. 946–949, 1980.
M. Y. Sun, C. L. Hsieh, Y. Y. Cheng et al., “The therapeutic effects of acupuncture on patients with chronic neck myofascial pain syndrome: a single-blind randomized controlled trial,” American Journal of Chinese Medicine, vol. 38, no. 5, pp. 849–859, 2010.
L. W. Chou, Y. L. Hsieh, H. S. Chen, C. Z. Hong, M. J. Kao, and T. I. Han, “Remote therapeutic effectiveness of acupuncture in treating myofascial trigger point of the upper trapezius muscle,” American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 90, no. 12, pp. 1036–1049, 2011.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) is a condition characterized by the presence of trigger points—localized areas of muscle tightness and discomfort. Individuals with MPS often seek relief from the persistent pain and muscle tension that this condition brings. Acupuncture is one complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice that has been explored as a potential solution for managing MPS symptoms.
Acupuncture involves the skillful insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, with the aim of stimulating the flow of energy or "qi." Here are some ways in which acupuncture may help individuals with MPS:
1. Pain Relief: Acupuncture sessions have been known to trigger the release of endorphins and other natural pain-relieving chemicals within the body. This can result in a reduction in pain and discomfort associated with MPS.
2. Muscle Relaxation: Beyond the psychological aspects, the very act of needling is known to induce muscle relaxation. Tight muscles, a hallmark of MPS, often respond well to the relaxation brought about by acupuncture.
3. Improved Blood Flow: Acupuncture may enhance blood circulation to the affected areas, facilitating the healing process and mitigating pain
4. Stress Reduction: Stress is a common exacerbating factor for MPS. Acupuncture can have a calming effect, reducing stress levels and indirectly alleviating muscle tension.
Research on the effectiveness of acupuncture for MPS has yielded mixed results. Clinical trials have assessed pain levels, muscle function, and quality of life in participants undergoing acupuncture treatments. While some studies report positive outcomes, such as reduced pain and improved muscle function, others have not found significant benefits.
It's crucial to acknowledge that individual responses to acupuncture can vary. While some individuals may experience significant relief from MPS symptoms through acupuncture, others may not respond as favorably.
If you are considering acupuncture as part of your MPS management plan, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide personalized guidance on whether acupuncture is a suitable treatment option for your specific case.
Moreover, safety is typically not a major concern with acupuncture when administered by a qualified and licensed practitioner. Side effects are minimal and may include mild soreness at the needle insertion sites.
In conclusion, acupuncture is a complementary therapy that holds promise for individuals with Myofascial Pain Syndrome. However, its effectiveness can be influenced by various factors, including individual response. A well-informed discussion with a healthcare provider is a crucial step in determining if acupuncture should be part of your MPS management strategy.
One of the intriguing aspects of acupuncture lies in its ability to target specific points on the body to alleviate pain and discomfort. When it comes to managing Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), acupuncturists follow a personalized approach, selecting acupuncture points based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principles and the individual's unique symptoms.
Here's a glimpse into some of the common acupuncture points that professionals often consider when treating MPS:
1. Ashi Points: These are often referred to as "trigger" or "tender" points. Acupuncturists keenly identify the areas of tenderness or discomfort that correspond to the patient's pain.
2. Local Points: To directly address the pain or muscle tension, acupuncturists may choose points in close proximity to the affected area. For individuals with MPS, these points are strategically selected to target muscle trigger points.
3. Distal Points: Surprisingly, acupuncture can effectively treat pain in areas far removed from the actual insertion points. For instance, points on the hands or feet may influence and alleviate pain in the back or neck
4. Meridian Points: Traditional Chinese medicine identifies specific energy pathways, known as meridians. Acupuncturists may select points along the meridians connected to the pain's location. For instance, treating MPS in the neck or back may involve points on the Gallbladder or Urinary Bladder meridians.
5. Auricular (Ear) Points: In auricular acupuncture, practitioners stimulate specific points on the ear that correspond to different parts of the body. These ear points are an option for addressing pain and tension associated with MPS.
6. Balance Points: Acupuncturists strive to restore equilibrium in the body's energy flow. Points chosen to harmonize the patient's overall energy and address underlying imbalances play a crucial role in the treatment plan.
It's essential to understand that the selection of acupuncture points is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, it's highly individualized, with variations from one practitioner to another. Acupuncture treatment plans are meticulously tailored to each patient's unique symptoms and constitution.
If you're contemplating acupuncture as a solution for managing MPS, it's advisable to consult with a licensed acupuncturist or healthcare provider. They will conduct a thorough assessment of your condition and design a personalized treatment plan that considers your specific symptoms and needs.
For appointment text me: (908) 492-1457. Leonid Belenitsky, M.S., L.Ac., NCCAOM. National Provider Identification # 1225332828.
