Highlights
Non-Drug Therapies for Fibromyalgia
A combination of non-drug therapies work just as well as medication when it comes to relieving the pain, depression, and disability associated with fibromyalgia. Researchers reporting in the Clinical Journal of Pain compared a program of exercise sessions, stress management, massage, and diet education with standard medication therapy. They concluded that patients can feel better by using several non-drug therapies.
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Acupuncture
Some studies have suggested that acupuncture can significantly reduce pain in people with fibromyalgia. However, a large, controlled study published in the July 2005 Annals of Internal Medicine found that inserting needles at fibromyalgia-related pressure points is no better than randomly inserting needles ("sham acupuncture") at relieving pain for fibromyalgia.
Drug Research News
Pramipexole, a drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome, may cut fibromyalgia-related pain symptoms in half, according to a study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.
A small study performed in Spain in 2005 suggests that the antipsychotic drug olanzapine (Zyprexa) reduces pain in people with fibromyalgia. Previous research has shown that olanzapine is effective for chronic pain conditions. However, the drug can cause unpleasant side effects. Nearly half of those in the 2005 study dropped out because of severe weight gain.
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