Medical science is getting a better idea how acupuncture works, and some of the findings could demonstrate why it works well for many people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
In a newly published study, researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center say that acupuncture triggers the release of adenosine, a natural pain killer in the body, as well as metabolites of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is the major source of cellular energy.
Adenosine blocks pain signals to keep them from being sent to the brain. It's typically released in response to injury. The researchers theorize that while the acupuncture needle typically causes little or no pain, it damages enough cells to trigger adenosine release.
Once they saw adenosine levels rise, they tried a drug known to keep adenosine in the body longer -- deoxycoformycin (a.k.a. pentostatin) -- to see if it helped sustain the pain relief from acupuncture. It did, which adds credence to their theory and also provides a possible new method of treatment. Deoxycoformycin is already on the market in the U.S., so researchers say human trials may begin soon.
This study was looking at pain, but the results are interesting for sleep and energy, as well. Adenosine is believed to be involved in regulating the sleep cycle, which is typically dysregulated in people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. ATP, which was also increased in the study, provides energy for cellular function -- and some studies have suggested that ATP is deficient in people with these illnesses.
After an acupuncture session, I feel less pain, and relaxed but energized. I typically sleep really well for a night or two. Is adenosine release responsible for that? It's too early in the research stage to say for sure, but it does seem to fit.
I hear a lot of people say that acupuncture helps, but just for a short time. If further research demonstrates that deoxycoformycin helps extend the benefits, the combination could make for a much more beneficial treatment. (Of course, then you have the possibility of side effects or drug intolerance to deal with.)
I hope this study gets the follow-up it needs to prove or disprove these effects -- if they're proven, it could not only mean better treatment for millions of people, it could make skeptical doctors more likely to write referrals for acupuncture because it provides a scientific basis for its effects.
Has acupuncture helped you? Would it be more beneficial if the effects lasted longer? Would you be willing to try it in combination with the drug? How do you feel after getting acupuncture? Leave your comments below!
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Instead of trying to do a combination of drugs and acupuncture, why not do a series of acupuncture treatments to try to regulate the body without pharmacological management? In Oriental Medicine we believe that a chronic illness isn’t usually resolved in one or two treatments. It would be interesting to see if two to three treatments a week for a few months could help the body stabilize the amount of adenosine and ameliorate the fibromyalgia or CFS in the long term. It’s always better not to need medication!
From Your Guide: As I mentioned above, some people only see a short-term improvement, even after long-term treatment. The addition of a medication could make acupuncture a more attractive treatment for them, or it may help people get through the early stages before the treatment becomes long term. It would be wonderful if people didn’t need medications to help manage their symptoms, but many do. ~Adrienne
Thank you for pointing this out Barbara. I’ve become frustrated with the need for the blogger to rely on Western and invasive medicine practices. No medication is the way to go!
From Your Guide: I don’t feel that I “rely” on invasive Western practices at all — I mention repeatedly that I don’t take any medications for fibromyalgia and instead have used supplements, acupuncture, massage and lifestyle changes to return to functionality. However, not everyone has success with these methods, so I strongly believe that people need to be aware of all treatment options. ~Adrienne
Where does your accupuncturist put the needles? I’ve been getting Accupuncture about 2x a week for my TMJ, as well, but it doesn’t seem to last once I get in the car and start driving again (which flares up the pain in my neck).
From Your Guide: I get needles all over the place, including several trigger points in my neck (along the SCM muscle) that really interact with my TMJ. Since driving is such a problem for you, you may want to change your arm position or try adjusting your seat differently. You may also benefit from working with a physical therapist to figure out exactly what motions/positions bother you, and to get ideas for avoiding those them. ~Adrienne
I’m actually doing all of that (PT, trying to retrain myself on how I drive). Those sound like the same areas I’m getting acupuncture.
After suffering from the deepest imaginable exhaustion with absolutely no medical help- no doctor, no hospital found the reason for my breakdown. There certainly was no psychological reason, they found that ot. ( there is no real acceptance of CFS in Germany, exept at one clinic which actually handles MCS ) and my life being down to nothing for a year, I found a Chinese Doctor in Munich who treated me with acupuncture. ( 30-40 needles per treatment, and I sure felt a lot of pain.)…After the 5th treatment I felt significantly better, especially directly after the treatment, which is unusual.After 10 I was back from Zero to 50% of my energy , then the progress stopped. Still no sports, still half-dead after trying to exercise, but I was glad to be able to go shopping again,. drive a car, fly to FLorida for holidays. I felt better.Then I stopped acupuncture, hoping for the best. Now, a year later, I´m back to about 10% and I just started again with acupuncture. I believe in it.
I must add that I have PBC, an autoimmune liver-desease, which might also add to the problems. But still, acupuncture was the ONLY treatment that helped at all after trying everything available on this earth. ALL Food supplements, minerals, vitamins, EVERYTHING. They still do not help me now. I really hope acupuncture will help me again! And I can only recommend it to everybody- TRY IT AT LEAST! I should add that there is quite a difference between a real chinese Doctor and western doctors who studied acupuncture in China. I tried that, too.Well…..it helps for pain, I admit. But for exhaustion…rather not. I do not call my problem CFS, because it has not been diagnosed, doctors really don´t know what to do with it. All the best for everybody with this problem!
Have had a great deal of success with acupuncture. It did take two tries to find one that I really clicked with. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it is really worth a try. (p.s. works even on hot flashes……)
I have found a wonderful acupuncturist who is helping me so much. I go once a week. The last session – yesterday – left me pain free and with a feeling approaching euphoria.
I too feel wonderful when I leave, but the effect wears off. I just can’t afford sessions several times a week.
But I definitely would go more often if I had the money!
Maybe insurance will start paying for acupuncture if research shows its benefits.
I was greatly helped by acupuncture, but couldn’t keep it up due to the cost. I just don’t understand why insurance won’t pay for it when they pay for chiropractors…who don’t do a fraction of the good that acupuncture does. In fact, the chiropractor I went to was pretty much useless…a waste of my co-pay $.
Acupuncture did help me quite a bit. My acupuncturist is also trained in Qi Gong, and while I haven’t become deeply involved with it a did learn a basic self-massage that works on several key acupuncture points. Acupuncture, acupressure, and a couple of other types of bodywork recognize the same energy meridians and ‘points’. Many energy based treatments, even homeopathy, can be very effective when done properly…professionally and responsibly is key factor, not everyone is equally qualified. As a side note, my rheumatologist is open to complementary care, and has observed that patients often do reach a plateau, or baseline, in their progress.
My name is Rob, I’m 41, male. I had been suffering from pain and discomfort as well as terrible insomnia for years since I was 23. I learned years later that I had FM and CFS. I tried accupuncture about 10 years ago and after the first visit, I could not believe it, the pain in my entire body was gone. It was like a veil was lifted and I could see the world through normal-people’s eyes again. I thought I was cured and felt such joy and elation that I even considered asking my girl-friend at the time to marry me. But the relief only lasted about 3 days and subsequent visits to the doctor did absolutely nothing for the pain. The depression and misery returned. I went back 9 more times for a total of 10 visits and stopped because I could not afford it. I’m in terrible pain all the time now and had to quit my full time office job some years ago. I work part-time as a massage therapist now. I did not understand why I felt relief for a short time until I read this article. I hope some day there will be help for people like us. It’s bad enough feeling like crap 24/7 and then dealing with people who just don’t want to believe me and say I look normal, even doctors. I will be trying to get SS Disability. It’s time to swallow my pride and admit that I am functioning on a diminished level of productivity and need help. Thank you Adrienne for all the hard work you put into this site. If anyone wants to write me, my email is xfiler100@aol.com
Getting this sort of article will really help those who are suffering from the same. By reading your first para it is very much clear that acupuncture therapy acts and the most suited at the time of fatigue
Fatigue is the reason when it overtakes the human mind , it paralyzes the working process of ones so its better to take a weekly treatment so as to avoid this sort of tiredness.
Acupuncture therapy was originally framed and exercised to remove the stress and pain from human body . The basic functioning of this therapy is completely based on the proper flow and circulation of blood in our body.