Fibromyalgia is the second most common rheumatic disorder in the United States. People diagnosed with fibromyalgia experience a wide range of symptons, including fatigue, pain, stiffness, muscle aches, sleep disorders and intestinal problems. Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed when 11 out of 18 specific points on the body are tender to pressure.
In Chinese medicine, the symptoms of fibromyalgia correspond to a pattern where qi and blood are stuck and not flowing freely. The organ systems most frequently involved are the Liver, Spleen, and Heart. Treatment will focus on restoring the free flow of qi and blood, relieving pain, and improving energy and vitality.