Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia brings widespread pain, exhaustion and poor sleep that can be hard for others to understand. In clinical trials, acupuncture has reduced fibromyalgia pain more than sham treatment, and NICE now lists acupuncture as an option for chronic primary pain, which includes fibromyalgia. Our practitioners have been treating pain in London for 25 years.
Book an initial consultation or call 0207 935 2030 for a free 15-minute chat.
What causes fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain across the body, along with tiredness, poor sleep, stiffness and problems with memory and concentration, sometimes called “fibro fog”. The exact cause isn’t known, but it is thought to involve changes in how the nervous system processes pain. It is often triggered or worsened by stress, illness or injury.
Because its symptoms overlap with other conditions, fibromyalgia should be diagnosed by your GP or a rheumatologist, who may run blood tests to rule out other causes. If you have widespread pain that hasn’t been explained, read our page on indeterminate aches and pains.
How acupuncture can help
Many people with fibromyalgia come to us for help managing pain, and trials have reported benefits. It works best as part of a wider plan with gentle, regular exercise and good sleep habits, and many patients find it gives them enough relief to keep that plan going.
Fibromyalgia varies a lot from person to person, so we tailor each session to your worst symptoms that week, whether that’s pain, sleep, tiredness or stress. We start gently, as some people with fibromyalgia are sensitive to touch, and we’ll tell you honestly what we think acupuncture can and can’t do for you.
Researchers think acupuncture works partly by changing how nerves and the brain process pain signals, including the release of the body’s own pain-relieving chemicals. The exact mechanisms are still being studied.
What the research shows
- Vas et al., 2016 (Acupuncture in Medicine) — 164 people with fibromyalgia in Spanish primary care. Individualised acupuncture cut pain by 41% at 10 weeks, compared with 27% for sham, and the difference was still there after a year.
- Zhang et al., 2019 (Journal of Pain Research) — 12 randomised trials. Acupuncture reduced pain and improved quality of life more than sham, in both the short and long term.
- NICE NG193 evidence review, 2021 — across trials in chronic primary pain, including fibromyalgia, acupuncture outperformed both sham and usual care for pain and quality of life.
Results vary between people, and acupuncture is not a replacement for medical assessment.
What to expect
Your first appointment lasts an hour. We take a full history of your symptoms, look at any test results or letters you bring, and agree a plan with you. Treatment uses very fine, single-use needles, often fewer at first, left in for 15 to 20 minutes. Where suitable we may add a heat lamp for comfort.
Most people start with weekly sessions and we review progress together after four to six. Initial consultations start from £80; see clinics and fees for details.
Why The London Acupuncture Clinic
- 25 years treating patients in London
- Degree-qualified practitioners who work alongside GPs and consultants, with close links to physiotherapists and chiropractors
- Open seven days a week, with early-morning and evening appointments
- Receipts for insurance claims on request
Can acupuncture help my fibromyalgia?
Good-quality trials show acupuncture can reduce fibromyalgia pain and improve quality of life more than sham treatment, with some benefit lasting months. It works best alongside exercise and other self-care.
How many sessions will I need?
Most people have a course of six to eight weekly sessions, reviewed after the first four. Some then continue with occasional top-up sessions to manage flare-ups.
I’m sensitive to touch. Will it hurt?
The needles are about the width of a hair, and we use fewer of them and very gentle technique to begin with. Most people feel a brief tingle or dull ache, then very little. Tell us how you’re feeling and we’ll adjust.
Is acupuncture recommended by the NHS for fibromyalgia?
Yes, as an option. NICE’s 2021 chronic pain guideline says a single course of acupuncture can be considered for chronic primary pain, which includes fibromyalgia, alongside exercise and psychological therapies. NHS availability varies by area, so many patients choose it privately.
Can I have acupuncture alongside my medication?
Yes. Acupuncture fits alongside antidepressants, pain medication and other treatments for fibromyalgia. Don’t change your medication without speaking to your GP.
Related: Indeterminate aches and pains · Headaches and migraines · Mental and emotional health · Pain relief
Written by The London Acupuncture Clinic’s practitioner team.
