Study: Electromagnetic Therapy Offers Relief To Fibromyalgia Sufferers

A treatment that is already used to treat depression is showing promise in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Dr. Max Gomez of CBS New York recently reported on the use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS in some patients--with good results. A new study in the Journal Neurology finds that magnetic stimulation can actually improve the non-pain symptoms of fibromyalgia, like depression, mood and overall quality of life. Other studies have found that TMS also alleviates the pain symptoms. The difference is where and how the magnetic pulses are used.

Since the brain is an electrical device, the electromagnetic pulses that are pushed into the brain during treatment seem to modulate brain activity. Treatment of fibromyalgia in this manner is an off-label use at present. Results are preliminary but offers some hope to the 12 million Americans who suffer from this chronic ailment. Traditional medicine seems to be of little use to most fibro patients, so the search for novel ways to manage the problem are very welcome.
Those who have undergone the treatment said there’s no real side effects other than a light tapping sensation in their head.

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Sources: CBS New York;Wikimedia

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