Analgesic Response to Opioids in Patients With Fibromyalgia After Conventional Acupuncture Versus Sham Acupuncture

Analgesic Response to Opioids in Patients With Fibromyalgia After Conventional Acupuncture Versus Sham Acupuncture

This study aims to see whether acupuncture can help fibromyalgia patients by giving them acupuncture treatment and seeing whether acupuncture helps enhance the effects of an opioid.

The investigator hypothesizes that traditional acupuncture (TA) enhances binding of the MOR receptor which will then enhance the pain-reducing effects of opioids compared to sham acupuncture (SA). The investigator will test the hypothesis by giving participants a validated Brief Pain Inventory to complete during the pre-therapy opioid challenge and one week after TA or SA therapy is completed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Are 18 - 80 years old
• have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia for more than 6 months
• Are already using chronic, continuous opioid therapy, including but not limited to the use of Hydrocodone (Norco), Oxycodone (Percocet), morphine, methadone or Tylenol #3 daily
• Have moderate to excruciating pain at baseline, determined by a 5 or greater score on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Are younger than 18 or older than 80 years old
• Have been diagnosed with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
• Pregnant
• Have an active litigation or worker's compensation case
• Have an active mental health diagnosis, such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, or suicidal ideation
• Are prescribed and actively using low dose Naltrexone . Have tried acupuncture in the last 6 months