Treating Fatigue with Acupuncture and Alternative Medicine

Over 50% of Americans experience chronic fatigue.

The most common causes are stress, being overworked, depression, insomnia, and malfunctions in some of the major organ systems such as: endocrine, cardiovascular, and digestive. Often times fatigue is associated with depression and is treated in Western medicine with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), such as Paxil, Prozac, or Wellbutrin. In recent years, circumstances have changed and doctors are recognizing that chronic fatigue is its own diagnosis, but it is still rare that patients are offered lifestyle counseling that focuses on nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Western medicine is significantly lacking in safe and effective treatment options for fatigue. There are many superb alternative treatment options including acupuncture, Chinese herbs, Western herbs, nutrition/food therapy, and exercise. Acupuncture is at the top of the list because it is extremely effective in supplementing the body’s energy.

Acupuncture

Most patients suffering from fatigue are experiencing a deficiency of vital energy (Qi). Qi is the basic energy that facilitates physiological and neurological functions throughout the body. In Chinese medicine, other symptoms of fatigue are: loose stool, bruising easily, lethargy, sleeping more than 9 hours, light menstrual flow or amenorrhea (no menstrual flow), low libido, shortness of breath, and feeling cold.

In Chinese medicine, we identify the pattern that reflects the entirety of one’s symptoms. We recommend weekly acupuncture for 4–6 weeks and then reassess progress. Depending on how long the person has been fatigued will determine length of treatment, as more chronic fatigue will take longer to see results.

Chinese Herbs

There are 4 different organs involved in fatigue: the kidney, spleen, heart, and lungs. Below are the four patterns. Each pattern has its own Chinese herbal formula to accompany the acupuncture treatment:

• Kidney: fatigue, low back pain, internal cold, low libido, and frequent urination

• Spleen: fatigue, diarrhea/loose stools, gas/bloating, bruising, and internal cold

• Heart: fatigue, restless sleep, worry, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath

• Lung: fatigue, weak immunity, chronic cough, allergies, shortness of breath, and asthma

Supplements

• B Complex: Very important in building up Qi and blood

• 5HTP: precursor to serotonin, for deeper sleep, anxiety, and inhibiting pain

Exercise

At first, this may seem challenging or feel forced because you will feel tired and will not want to exercise. However, after a few days, your body will begin to enjoy the boost that released endorphins and serotonin provide. Exercise alone can have a powerful effect on fatigue. The optimal program should be a combination of cardiovascular and restorative exercise such as biking, running, hiking, swimming, and then yoga, qi gong, and tai chi, respectively.

Where Are You Leaking Energy?

In our practice, we have seen that many people with chronic fatigue can attribute this pattern to a central theme that is, over time, taking their energy. This could be due to a variety of reasons: a job that makes you feel stuck or stagnant, a relationship that is not working, or setting up your life so that you are too busy taking care of others and never have time for yourself. Maybe financial problems are literally weighing on you. Low energy often signifies that we are not in control of some aspect of our life. It is important to set an intention to identify and heal any area of your life that feels out of control or has become toxic to you.

There are many great gentle treatment options for chronic fatigue. Please remember that this article is not intended to cover the issue of fatigue in its entirety, as there can certainly be many other factors involved, such as: immune dysfunction, Lyme disease, low-level pathogenic influences, etc. The key is to be proactive in treating this condition.