Fibromyalgia mostly affects women between the ages of 20 and 50 years of age. It is basically “pain in your fibrous tissues”, characterized by chronic, widespread, severe muscular aching, pain and stiffness, accompanied by insomnia, fatigue and depression.
It is neither a rheumatic, inflammatory, progressive, or degenerative disorder. However, it is not solely a psychosomatic or psychiatric disorder.
The pain the sufferer feels is very real and maybe sometimes debilitating.

70-90% of Fibromyalgia sufferers will also have one or more of the following symptoms:
sleep disturbances, headaches, swollen feet, numbness or tingling, difficulty thinking and/or concentrating, dizziness and hyper sensitivity of the sensory organs.

In western or conventional medicine, anti-depressants and non-steroid anti-inflammatories are prescribed. Ironically, some of the side effects of these include the same symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

In Chinese medicine, we look at Fibromyalgia, as a liver-spleen disharmony. This means that the Qi (chi) or energy of the liver energy system is depressed and stagnant, and the spleen Qi is weak. However, other energy system organs may be involved as well.
Because every patient with Fibromyalgia has a slightly different medical pattern discrimination, each patient’s treatment is individualized.

The person’s diet and lifestyle is crucial in the recovery process, which normally takes a few months. It is advisable that the person exercises moderately as well. Acupuncture, Chinese herbs and massage all aid in moving the stagnant Qi and replenishing the weak Qi.

Warm baths with some of the Warm Spirit invigorating herbal salts may aid in a speedier recovery from the pain experienced by the Fibromyalgia sufferers. If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, you may consider seeking a more natural approach to recovering your health.

Author's Bio: 

National Board Certified Acupuncturist (NCCAOM)
Licensed in Florida and North Carolina
Practicing since 1999.
Currently in private practice in Miami, Florida