If you suffer from fibromyalgia, you may find relief through acupuncture, herbal medicine, myofascial release therapy & qi gong.  The Wellness Center’s Acupuncture Physician, Beth Stephenson, can design a specialized treatment plan for your unique pain management needs. Dr. Beth Stephenson is offering free consultations for fibromyalgia patients on Mondays and Wednesdays by appointment.

Research has shown that alternative medical techniques such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, myofascial release therapy and qi gong can be helpful in managing the pain of fibromyalgia. From an integrative medicine point of view, this type of pain is caused by a lack of flow through the body tissues. To paraphrase an ancient Chinese proverb, “Where natural flow is obstructed, there will be pain. When free flow is restored, the pain will subside.”  Our Acupuncture Physician is trained in many integrative therapies that can help restore this natural flow within your body.

Acupuncture works on the nervous system to alleviate some of the constant pain signals that characterize fibromyalgia. Acupuncture helps the body open up blocked pathways that contribute to chronic pain. During an acupuncture session, the body can enter a profound meditative state that is conducive to the natural healing process. Studies have shown that fibromyalgia sufferers can have dramatic results in as few as 8 sessions of acupuncture.

Herbal medicines can offer natural alternatives for patients who have difficulty tolerating pharmaceutical side effects. Dr. Stephenson is trained to prescribe both eastern and western herbal medicines. This type of herbal support can help the body to repair itself from the inside. Each person is unique. However, many herbal remedies can restore inner balance within approximately four months of regular use.

Myofascial release therapy can assist in manually clearing away barriers to the free flow of circulation in the body tissues. Dr. Stephenson has 18 years of experience as a specialist in myofascial release massage therapy, both as a practitioner and as an instructor of this method. In the holistic approach that Dr. Stephenson practices, it is typical for fibromyalgia patients to receive some advanced myofascial release massage in conjunction with acupuncture sessions.

Qi Gong, which literally translates as “the cultivation of life force energy” is an ancient self-healing technique that originated in China. Qi Gong consists of meditative or conscious breathing techniques and gentle, flowing movements of the body. These movements are designed to establish a healthy mind-body connection. Through the practice of Qi Gong, new neural pathways are created within the body. These new neural pathways can, in time, replace the old pathways that have contributed to chronic pain.

Contact the Wellness Center for your complimentary initial consultation with Dr. Stephenson.