F is for Fibromyalgia: Natural Relief for Chronic Pain & Fatigue with Acupuncture

​Fibromyalgia is a complex, often misunderstood condition that affects an estimated 2-4% of the population — predominantly women. Characterized by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, brain fog, and sleep disturbances, it can be debilitating and frustrating.
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While there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, acupuncture as a supportive therapy offers meaningful relief. In fact, multiple studies now suggest that acupuncture can reduce pain, improve sleep quality, and boost overall quality of life in fibromyalgia patients.

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​What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is classified as a central sensitization disorder. This means the brain and nervous system become overly sensitive to pain signals, amplifying even minor sensations. Symptoms often flare up in response to stress, hormonal shifts, poor sleep, or overexertion. Because there's no definitive diagnostic test, many sufferers go undiagnosed or feel dismissed by their medical team.

How Acupuncture Helps
Acupuncture involves inserting ultra-fine needles into specific points on the body to regulate the nervous system, stimulate blood flow, and promote balance within the body’s internal systems.

Here’s what current research says about its impact on fibromyalgia:

Pain Reduction
Studies have shown that Acupuncture was more effective than no treatment or standard care in reducing pain and stiffness in people with fibromyalgia. It also noted that electroacupuncture provided better results than manual acupuncture.
A 2018 study concluded that acupuncture significantly reduced fibromyalgia pain intensity, especially when patients received individualized treatments based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis.

Improved Sleep and Fatigue
Fibromyalgia often disrupts sleep, which in turn worsens fatigue and pain. Studies suggest that acupuncture may enhance melatonin production and modulate neurotransmitters like serotonin, improving both sleep onset and quality.
A 2020 study found patients receiving acupuncture reported not only less pain but better sleep and reduced fatigue compared to controls.

Nervous System Regulation
Acupuncture has been shown to downregulate the sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" response) and increase parasympathetic activity, helping calm the hyperactive stress response seen in fibromyalgia.
Functional MRI studies reveal that acupuncture may alter brain activity in areas associated with pain perception, effectively "retraining" the brain’s response to pain.

Safe, Natural, and Complementary
One of the strengths of acupuncture is its safety profile. Side effects are minimal—usually limited to temporary soreness or bruising—and it can be used alongside medications, physiotherapy, or counseling without conflict.
At Wellness on 1st, fibromyalgia treatment plans are tailored to each individual, often including points to reduce pain, calm the nervous system, and support restful sleep. Treatment frequency varies, but most clients notice a shift within 4–6 sessions.
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You Deserve Relief
Living with fibromyalgia doesn’t mean surrendering to pain and exhaustion. Acupuncture offers a science-backed, holistic option to reduce symptoms and reclaim quality of life.
If you're navigating fibromyalgia and looking for a natural approach that supports your whole being — mind and body — booking acupuncture may be the reset your system needs.

-- Dr. Susan Newman, Dr. Ac, RMT