An Assessment of Naturopathic Treatments, Health Concerns, and Common Comorbid Conditions in Fibromyalgia Patients: A Retrospective Medical Record Review.

Researchers at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine examined how naturopathic doctors treat patients with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that affects millions of people. They reviewed medical records from 70 fibromyalgia patients at a teaching clinic to understand what treatments were most commonly recommended and what other health issues these patients typically experienced.

The study found that nearly all patients (96%) were female, and naturopathic doctors frequently recommended several specific treatments. The most common recommendations included vitamin D supplementation (57% of patients), magnesium (54%), omega-3 fish oil (53%), and acupuncture treatments (53% from acupuncturists, 40% from naturopathic doctors themselves). Other frequently used treatments included vitamin B12 (either as oral supplements or injections), probiotics, and various other natural therapies.

Researchers also discovered that fibromyalgia patients often dealt with multiple health conditions simultaneously. Digestive problems were reported in 64% of patients, while 63% had a history of depression or other mental health concerns. Arthritis (53%) and anxiety (43%) were also common. Many patients had family histories of arthritic conditions as well.

Importantly, the review found no readily identifiable adverse effects from these naturopathic treatments, suggesting they were generally safe for fibromyalgia patients. The study revealed that naturopathic doctors use individualized treatment approaches, combining supplements, acupuncture, and other natural therapies to address the complex symptoms of fibromyalgia.

For patients considering acupuncture and naturopathic care for fibromyalgia, these findings suggest these approaches may offer safe treatment options, though it's essential to work with a qualified, licensed naturopathic doctor or acupuncturist.

This retrospective chart review analyzed 70 fibromyalgia patients (96% female) from the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic to characterize naturopathic treatment patterns. The most frequently recommended interventions were vitamin D (57%), magnesium (54%), omega-3 fish oil (53%), acupuncture by acupuncturist (53%) or ND (40%), B12 orally or by injection (40%), and probiotics (40%). The Widespread Pain Index and Symptom Severity tool was utilized in 43% of cases for symptom assessment. Significant comorbidity patterns emerged, including digestive complaints (64%), depression/mental illness (63%), arthritic conditions (53%), and anxiety (43%). Family history of arthritic conditions was prevalent (47%). No adverse treatment effects were documented. The study demonstrates heterogeneity in naturopathic fibromyalgia management within a teaching clinic setting, reflecting individualized treatment approaches. Methodological limitations include retrospective design and single-site data collection. These findings provide baseline data for understanding naturopathic clinical decision-making in fibromyalgia management.