Neural Therapy and Fibromyalgia

What Does the Research Show?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive symptoms, mood disorders, and increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli. While the exact cause remains unclear, current research suggests that fibromyalgia involves complex interactions between the nervous system, immune system, hormonal regulation, and pain-processing pathways.

One of the emerging treatment approaches for fibromyalgia is Neural Therapy, which uses low concentrations of local anesthetics such as procaine or lidocaine to influence dysfunctional nervous system signaling.

Why Neural Therapy May Be Relevant in Fibromyalgia

Several mechanisms involved in fibromyalgia overlap with the proposed mechanisms of Neural Therapy.

Research has identified abnormalities in:

• Autonomic nervous system regulation
• Central sensitization (increased amplification of pain signals by the brain and spinal cord)
• Neuroendocrine dysfunction
• Immune system dysregulation
• Persistent peripheral pain signaling
• Abnormal tissue and nerve membrane potentials

Neural Therapy is based on the concept that chronic irritation from scars, previous injuries, infections, dental issues, or dysfunctional tissues may create ongoing abnormal signals within the autonomic nervous system. The goal of treatment is to normalize these disturbances and restore normal nervous system regulation.

According to Altınbilek and colleagues, chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia may involve abnormalities in cellular membrane potentials that contribute to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Neural Therapy seeks to correct these disturbances through targeted local anesthetic injections.

The Role of Central Sensitization

One of the most widely accepted mechanisms in fibromyalgia is central sensitization.

Central sensitization refers to an increased responsiveness of the central nervous system, causing normal sensory input to be perceived as painful and painful stimuli to be amplified.

The fibromyalgia literature reviewed by Altınbilek et al. notes that local anesthetics may reduce abnormal peripheral nerve signaling and decrease central sensitization. Studies evaluating lidocaine in fibromyalgia have demonstrated reductions in pain sensitivity and hyperalgesia, suggesting that modulation of abnormal neural input may influence the central processing of pain.

The International Journal of Clinical Practice review similarly describes fibromyalgia as a disorder involving altered pain processing pathways and dysregulation of autonomic and neuroimmune systems. The authors discuss Neural Therapy as a method that may interrupt abnormal afferent signaling and help normalize autonomic regulation, thereby reducing the ongoing neurological input that contributes to chronic pain states.

Clinical Study of Neural Therapy in Fibromyalgia

One of the first controlled studies evaluating Neural Therapy in fibromyalgia was published by Altınbilek and colleagues in 2019.

The study included 72 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia who were randomly assigned to one of two groups:

• Exercise therapy alone
• Exercise therapy plus Neural Therapy

Patients in the Neural Therapy group received six treatment sessions over six weeks in addition to the same exercise program performed by the control group. Outcomes were measured using validated assessments of pain, depression, anxiety, quality of life, and functional status.

Results

Pain Reduction

Patients receiving Neural Therapy had significantly lower pain scores at the completion of treatment compared with those receiving exercise alone.

The authors concluded that Neural Therapy provided an additional benefit for pain reduction during the treatment period.

Improvement in Depression Scores

Depression is common among individuals with fibromyalgia and is often associated with increased pain severity and reduced quality of life.

At the end of treatment, patients receiving Neural Therapy demonstrated significantly lower Beck Depression Scale scores compared with patients performing exercise alone.

The investigators concluded that Neural Therapy may provide additional benefits for depressive symptoms when combined with standard exercise therapy.

Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes

Measures of physical function, emotional well-being, social functioning, vitality, and overall fibromyalgia impact improved in both treatment groups.

Although improvements were observed across many domains, the most notable between-group differences were seen in pain and depression outcomes. Quality-of-life and functional measures improved over time in both groups but did not demonstrate statistically significant differences between groups.

Potential Biological Mechanisms

Several biological mechanisms have been proposed to explain the observed benefits of Neural Therapy in fibromyalgia.

Autonomic Nervous System Regulation

Fibromyalgia has been associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction, including abnormal sympathetic nervous system activity.

Neural Therapy is designed to influence autonomic regulation by reducing abnormal neural input and restoring normal regulatory function. The treatment has been described as a method of normalizing dysfunctional autonomic nervous system activity and improving the body's regulatory capacity.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Local anesthetics used in Neural Therapy have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

The authors note that lidocaine and procaine may influence inflammatory signaling pathways and tissue perfusion, potentially contributing to symptom improvement in chronic pain conditions.

Reduction of Peripheral Pain Signaling

Local anesthetics block sodium channels and may reduce abnormal nerve firing.

By decreasing ongoing peripheral nociceptive input, Neural Therapy may reduce the continuous stimulation that contributes to central sensitization and chronic pain amplification.

Neuroplastic Effects

The International Journal of Clinical Practice review discusses the concept that Neural Therapy may influence maladaptive neurological patterns by introducing targeted regulatory stimuli into the nervous system. Through effects on neural regulation and neuroplasticity, treatment may help disrupt persistent pain cycles that have become established over time.

What Can Be Concluded From Current Research?

Autonomic Nervous System Regulation

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Local anesthetics used in Neural Therapy have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Reduction of Peripheral Pain Signaling

Local anesthetics block sodium channels and may reduce abnormal nerve firing.

Neuroplastic Effects

Current evidence suggests that Neural Therapy may offer additional short-term benefits for pain and depression when combined with exercise therapy in patients with fibromyalgia.

The strongest findings reported to date include:

• Reduction in pain severity
• Improvement in depressive symptoms
• Improvement in overall symptom burden
• Potential modulation of autonomic nervous system dysfunction
• Potential reduction of central sensitization

Researchers emphasize that larger studies with longer follow-up periods are still needed to determine the durability of these effects and to identify optimal treatment protocols.

At present, Neural Therapy appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment that may address several of the physiological mechanisms believed to contribute to fibromyalgia, including autonomic dysregulation, abnormal pain processing, and persistent neural sensitization