Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes pain. According to Fibromyalgia Australia, common symptoms may include widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, difficulties with concentration (“fibro fog”), headaches, and increased sensitivity to touch, temperature or pressure.
Fibromyalgia Australia estimates that up to 1 million Australians may be living with fibromyalgia.
Researchers have investigated whether acupuncture may have a role in the management of fibromyalgia symptoms.
In a randomised controlled trial involving 153 participants, Vas et al. (2016) compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture. Participants received 10 weekly treatments. The acupuncture group reported lower pain scores and better quality of life measures than the sham acupuncture group. Some differences between groups were still present at 12-month follow-up.
Another randomised controlled trial by Martin et al. (2006) investigated acupuncture in people with fibromyalgia. Participants receiving acupuncture reported changes in symptoms including pain, fatigue and anxiety when compared with the control group.
These studies suggest acupuncture may have a role in the management of fibromyalgia symptoms for some individuals. However, not all studies have reported the same findings, and individual responses may vary.
The research studies above used multiple treatments rather than a single session. In the Vas study, participants received 10 treatments delivered over 10 weeks.
For more information about fibromyalgia, Fibromyalgia Australia provides patient information and support resources.
References
Fibromyalgia Australia. (n.d.). What is fibromyalgia? Retrieved June 15, 2026, from https://fibromyalgiaaustralia.org.au/patients/what-is-fibromyalgia/
Martin, D. P., Sletten, C. D., Williams, B. A., & Berger, I. H. (2006). Acupuncture for the treatment of fibromyalgia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 81(6), 749–757. https://doi.org/10.4065/81.6.749
Vas, J., Santos-Rey, K., Navarro-Pablo, R., et al. (2016). Acupuncture for fibromyalgia in primary care: A randomised controlled trial. Acupuncture in Medicine, 34(4), 257–266. https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2015-010950