Acupuncture and Pain Processing

Acupuncture and Pain Processing

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that acupuncture will reduce Fibromyalgia pain, via alterations in the processing of pain in the central nervous system.

Patients and healthy controls will be enrolled in the study for a total of 6 weeks. This includes a screening and baseline visit, 8 acupuncture treatments (2 per week for 4 weeks), and a follow-up visit and treatment 1 week after completion of the study treatment sessions. To determine the effects of acupuncture on pain, patients and healthy controls will undergo psychophysical pain testing at four points throughout the study: Baseline (appointment 1), post-treatment 1 (appointment2), post treatment 8 (appointment 9), and at the final follow-up session (1 week from last treatment - appointment 10).Participants will also fill out a brief report on pain, sleep, and functioning on a palm pilot. This is expected to take less than 2 minutes per day and will occur throughout the 6 week study period.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-50
2. Fibromyalgia patient OR healthy control
3. No current opioid use
4. Patients: must have had Fibromyalgia for 6 months or longer

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Inflammatory disorder (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
2. Current untreated depression
3. Active infection
4. Healthy controls: pain disorder or major medical condition that in the discretion of the investigator interfere with the validity of the study
5. Heart disease or use of a cardiac pacemaker