Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Fibromyalgia

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Having met American College of Rheumatology (1990) criteria for the diagnosis of
fibromyalgia

2. Having a primary Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis of either Liver Qi
Stagnation, Qi and Blood Stagnation, or Qi and Blood Deficiency

3. Female gender

4. Reported average pain of 5 or higher over last week on a scale of 0 to 10 with ten
indicating higher pain.

5. Willingness to limit the introduction or change of any medications or treatment
modalities for control of fibromyalgia symptoms during the study

6. No TCM in last 3 months (including acupuncture, Chinese herbs or herbal tea pills,
tuina (Chinese massage), shiatsu (Japanese massage), qigong and Oriental food
therapy)

7. Ability to travel to the intervention and testing sites up to two times weekly

8. Being over 18 and under 75 years of age, and

9. Capability of giving informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Presence of a known coagulation abnormality, thrombocytopenia, or bleeding diathesis
that may preclude the safe use of acupuncture;

2. Individuals with celiac disease

3. A score greater than 29 on the Beck Depression Inventory

4. Presence of concurrent autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic
lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, that causes pain and could
potentially confound the analysis;

5. Routine daily use of narcotic analgesics or history of substance abuse;

6. Concurrent participation in other therapeutic trials;

7. Pregnant and nursing mothers (verification of pregnancy status will be determined via
a urine test);

8. Severe psychiatric illnesses (current schizophrenia, major depression with suicidal
ideation, substance abuse within two years);

9. Are undergoing disability determination, or are involved in litigation related to
fibromyalgia

10. Any impairment, activity or situation that in the judgment of the PI would prevent
satisfactory completion of the study protocol

11. Cognitive behavioral therapy in the last 6 months.

12. Non-fluency in English