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THERAPIES & TRADITIONS · GUIDE

Acupuncture for Fibromyalgia: Evidence

What systematic reviews, NCCIH and the NHS say about acupuncture for fibromyalgia pain, where the sham-controlled results disagree, and how it fits with exercise and other care.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

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Quick answer
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by widespread pain. [1] Reviews of acupuncture for it report some pain relief, but the certainty is low to moderate, the benefit may not last, and results compared with sham acupuncture are mixed. Evidence label: mixed, leaning promising but limited for short-term pain. It does not replace the treatments with the strongest support. For background, see what is acupuncture.

Where acupuncture fits among fibromyalgia treatments

The European rheumatology group EULAR (2017) reported that the only strong therapy-based recommendation, based on meta-analyses, was exercise. [2] It suggested starting with patient education and non-drug therapies. [2] The NHS likewise names exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medicines such as antidepressants as main treatments. [3] The EULAR abstract we read does not mention acupuncture, so we do not say what that guideline concluded about it.

What the reviews found

6 findings · 6 limited or unclearThe colour follows the evidence label on each card.

  1. NCCIH

    Acupuncture vs no acupuncture (for example, waiting list)

    What it found: Limited evidence of improved pain and stiffness [4]

  2. NCCIH

    Acupuncture vs sham

    What it found: Not shown to be more effective than simulated acupuncture [4]

  3. NCCIH, relaying a 2019 review

    12 studies, 824 people

    What it found: Better than sham for pain, evidence low to moderate quality [5]

  4. Meta-analysis, 2022

    13 articles, 12 analyzed

    What it found: Moderate quality evidence for less pain; no evidence of help for fatigue, sleep, function or stiffness [1]

  5. Meta-analysis, 2025

    17 trials, 1,066 people [6]

    What it found: Lower pain scores, but no significant improvement in sleep quality [6]

  6. Overview of reviews, 2025

    13 reviews [7]

    What it found: No high-quality evidence by GRADE; low-quality evidence overall [7]

Why the answers differ

NCCIH's two pages do not say the same thing about sham acupuncture, which tells you the evidence is not settled. Reviews also pool different kinds of trials, controls and acupuncture methods, and different studies measure different outcomes. The 2025 overview found only one of the 13 reviews it assessed was rated high quality in methods. [7] Newer reviews add trials but do not remove the underlying problems of small studies and difficult blinding. NCCIH adds that electroacupuncture may produce better results than manual acupuncture, [4] though we found no firm comparison to support choosing one.

Does the benefit last?

The NHS says acupuncture can reduce pain and improve quality of life in some people with long-term pain, but its effects have only been shown to last up to 3 months, and longer-term benefit is unknown. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Does acupuncture help fibromyalgia?

Some reviews find less pain, but certainty is low to moderate and the benefit is only shown to last up to 3 months. [1][3]

Is it better than sham acupuncture for fibromyalgia?

NCCIH reports both: a 2019 review found sham was beaten, while another NCCIH page says it has not been shown to be more effective than simulated acupuncture. [5][4]

Does it help fatigue or sleep?

A 2022 review found no evidence of benefit for fatigue, sleep quality, function or stiffness, [1] and a 2025 review found no significant sleep improvement. [6]

Should acupuncture replace exercise or medicines?

No source we read says so. EULAR found exercise to be the only strong therapy-based recommendation. [2] Do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your clinician.

Is it safe?

Reviews report few or no serious events, [1] but improperly performed acupuncture can cause serious side effects. [4]

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

What helps and what we could not find
  • Pain: some reduction in several reviews, certainty low to moderate. [1][7]
  • Fatigue, sleep, physical function, stiffness: the 2022 review found no evidence of benefit; [1] the 2025 analysis found no sleep improvement. [6]
  • Long-term outcomes beyond 3 months: proper evidence not found in the NHS and NCCIH pages we read. [3]
Safety
No serious adverse events were detected in the 2022 meta-analysis. [1] NCCIH says acupuncture is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced practitioner using sterile needles, and improperly performed acupuncture can cause potentially serious side effects. [4] The NHS says it may not be safe if you take blood-thinning medicine or have a bleeding risk. [8] See side effects and precautions and dry needling compared. Large reviews of other chronic pain are on acupuncture for chronic pain.
References
  1. Zheng C, Zhou T. Effect of acupuncture on pain, fatigue, sleep, physical function, stiffness, well-being, and safety in fibromyalgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pain Res. 2022;15:315-329. PubMed 35140516 Read 2026-10-22.
  2. Macfarlane GJ, et al. EULAR revised recommendations for the management of fibromyalgia. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(2):318-328. PubMed 27377815 Read 2026-10-22.
  3. NHS, Fibromyalgia: Treatment, page last reviewed 12 October 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
  4. NCCIH, Fibromyalgia: Considerations for Complementary Health Approaches. Read 2026-10-22.
  5. NCCIH, Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. Read 2026-10-22.
  6. Ye Z, et al. The efficacy of acupuncture treatment for fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12:1710642. PubMed 41625751 Read 2026-10-22.
  7. Choi TY, et al. Acupuncture for fibromyalgia syndrome: an overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Front Med (Lausanne). 2025;12:1712065. PubMed 41426559 Read 2026-10-22.
  8. NHS, Herbal medicines and complementary therapies. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.