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Recent research suggests acupuncture may provide relief to people afflicted with fibromyalgia. In a pair of studies by two separate research groups, similar results showed a significant improvement for participants in terms of pain and other symptoms. The positive results could lead to a greater acceptance of acupuncture from primary care physicians and specialists in musculoskeletal disorders who treat this common condition.

Although it is often difficult to diagnose, numbers show that close to 4 percent of the population suffers from fibromyalgia. Symptoms of the disease include widespread pain, fatigue and interruptions in sleep patterns, irritable bowel syndrome and headaches. Patients have also complained of depression, chest pains, dizziness, and anxiety. A specific cause for fibromyalgia is still unknown, but some factors that may contribute are chemical changes in the brain, an injury or trauma, or a viral or bacterial infection.

The first study¹, led by Betsy B. Singh, PhD, from the Southern California University of Health Services, recruited 24 participants from the Orange County and Los Angeles areas. After a baseline assessment was completed, the candidates received 16 acupuncture treatments for eight weeks, with a three- to four-day break between treatments. The second study,² headed up by David P. Martin, MD, PhD, from the Mayo Clinic, differed from Singh's primarily in that it used a control group. The two groups, consisting of 25 applicants each, were treated six times within a two- to three-week period. Both groups' acupoints were swabbed with alcohol and then covered with a bandage. The control group's bandages were affixed with a needle that stuck out of the bandage but did not pierce the skin.

Although both studies showed marked improvement for the participants, the researchers emphasize that more studies need to be performed. The findings certainly provide positive evidence of the potential for acupuncture to effectively treat fibromyalgia. As research such as this continues to support the efficacy of acupuncture and Oriental medicine, it will open the door between Western and Eastern medicine a little wider.

Reference

Singh B, Wu Wen-Shuo, Hwang San Hong, et al. Effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2006;12(2):34-41.
Martin D P, Sletten C D, Williams B A, Berger I H. Improvement in fibromyalgia symptoms with acupuncture: results of a randomized controlled trial. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2006;81(6):749-757.

The java brucea is a type of deciduous tree native to the mountains of China, India and Indonesia. In China, it is produced mainly in the Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. It can reach a height of approximately 20 feet, and produces small, berry-like fruits. The seeds are used medicinally; they are typically harvested in the late summer. After ripening, the fruit is picked and dried in the sun, after which the seeds are harvested for use.

According to the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, java brucea seed has bitter, cold, and slightly toxic properties, and is associated with the Large Intestine and Liver meridians. It has been used for centuries to treat dysentery and malaria. Externally, it can be made into an ointment to treat foot problems such as corns, and skin conditions such as warts. There is also some evidence that brucea, in combination with longan, may be effective in treating some types of cancerous tumors.

The typical dose of java brucea for adults is between 5 and 12 seeds, taken up to three times per day. Some practitioners may recommend larger doses (15-30 seeds) depending on the condition being treated. Java brucea can also be applied externally as a cream or ointment. Because of its toxic properties, java brucea should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, nor should it be given to small children. In addition, it should not be taken by patients with nausea and vomiting, or those with pre-existing liver or kidney disorders.

As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions associated with java brucea. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking java brucea or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.

Resources

Kim IH, Takashima S, Hitotsuyanagi Y, et al. New quassinoids, javanicolides C and D and javanicosides B--F, from seeds of brucea javanica. J Nat Prod May 2004;67(5):863-8.
Luyengi L, Suh N, Fong HH, et al. A lignan and four terpenoids from brucea javanica that induce differentiation with cultured HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Phytochemistry September 1996;43(2):409-12.
Su BN, Chang LC, Park EJ, et al. Bioactive constituents of the seeds of brucea javanica. Planta Med August 2002;68(8):730-3.
Wang F, Cao Y, Liu HY, et al. Experimental studies on the apoptosis of HL-60 cells induced by brucea javanica oil emulsion. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi August 2003;28(8):759-62.
Xie H, Deng H, Huang S, et al. Studies on the chemical components of brucea javanica. Zhong Yao Cai August 1998;21(8):398-400.

The "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum provides a place for interested parties to ask questions about acupuncture and Oriental medicine and receive responses from a licensed acupuncturist. Here are a few of this month's questions and answers:

Question #1: My daughter is almost 7 months old and I am currently nursing. I have tried traditional exercise and diet to lose the baby pounds, but my weight will not budge. Is auriculotherapy safe?

Answer: Yes. There would not be a problem with treatment for you. This treatment decreases the appetite, and will rebalance your metabolism. There are also Chinese herbal medicines. There are formulas for postpartum recovery that are safe while breastfeeding. In some cases, the herbs are cooked with food as a meal.

Question #2: After two and a half months of conventional treatment (physiotherapy and exercises) and no real improvement, my question is as follows. Would acupuncture help in the case of a 19-year-old top swimmer who has an inflammation between the bone and the muscle?

Answer: Yes, it would help reduce the inflammation and decrease the healing time. In general, one would expect around 10 treatments. For more details, you would need to have an examination to properly evaluate.

Have a question about acupuncture and Oriental medicine? Visit AcupunctureToday.com's "Ask an Acupuncturist" forum at www.acupuncturetoday.com/ask.

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