How does Acupuncture help with Fatigue?
Fatigue as a clinical condition is known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). In scientific terms, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis. This is a clinically defined condition characterized by severe disabling fatigue and a combination of symptoms that prominently feature self-reported impairments in concentration and short-term memory, sleep disturbances, and musculoskeletal pain.
Studies of Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which includes Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, qigong, and others, have shown that TCM alone or in combination with other interventions can significantly alleviate fatigue symptoms. Acupuncture is one of the most popular therapies in treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It has been widely applied in treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and science has proven its effectiveness.
So how can Acupuncture help with Fatigue? We can understand this from a Scientific point of view and also from The Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view.
Acupuncture helps with Fatigue by Science theory
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an important regulator of many physiological functions in human beings.
The ANS has 2 branches, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for flight and stress situations, while the parasympathetic nervous system is dominant when a person is relaxed such as when sleeping.
It is seen in many studies that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients demonstrate an impairment of the ANS. Acupuncture has been shown to influence the functional status of the ANS, especially in activating the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is known for helping with calmness, relaxation and digestion. This activation of vagus nerve then helps to allow a person to regain energy slowly through rest-and-digest, a body’s in-built natural remedy to cure Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Acupuncture helps with Fatigue by Traditional Chinese Medicine theory
In TCM theory, the points that are chosen to be acupunctured and the techniques of execution have their effects of treating illnesses and conditions.
In treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, points such as Zu San Li (ST36) and Guan Yuan (CV 4) are reinforcing points that help with giving energy to the body, especially when tonifying techniques are applied in the insertion of acupuncture needles. Read more about Can Acupuncture give you energy here.
Conclusion
In Western medicine, there is no cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome except to prescribe chemicals and drugs such as anti depressants and anti anxiety drugs to manage the accompanying emotional and mental symptoms from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are also given only to relieve muscle and joint aches. These are all bandaids methods that do not resolve the root problem of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
In Traditional Chinese Medicines, acupuncture and other modalities are able to help with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome through ways that have been explained scientifically and functionally/energetically. It is apparent that a person who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome should do acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine to be cured and treated, not to be only numbed and drugged at the symptomatic level.
Read about Acupoint Medicine Dan Zhong for heart opening and new perspective here.
Further Reading:
Testimonial for Digestive Health Bloatedness
How TCM and Acupuncture treat PMS
Everything you need to know about Acupuncture
Can I exercise after acupuncture?
How Acupuncture Help with Fatigue
Facial Acupuncture - How to differentiate the real deal from the fakers
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