Acupuncture for Improving Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating illness that causes more symptoms than just fatigue. It causes a myriad of different symptoms that can significantly diminish a person’s quality of life. There is no cure for CFS, but doctors can offer to treat patients on a case-by-case basis. There is no one treatment for CFS, as every sufferer has a different set of symptoms. Traditional treatments include pain medications, anti-depressants, anti-anxieties, muscle relaxants, and more. Some symptoms like fatigue, food sensitivities and cognitive impairment are somewhat more challenging to treat, which has many doctors stumped. The inability to receive effective treatment methods from traditional physicians is what has led CFS patients to seek alternative methods to either replace or complement their current treatments. Acupuncture has shown to be effective in alleviating some of the harder-to-treat symptoms of CFS.

Balancing the qi in organs

Chinese acupuncturists have discovered that many people with CFS have either an over-abundance or a deficiency of qi in their kidneys, spleen, liver, and lungs. An imbalanced qi can contribute to CFS, in addition to other illnesses, as well. Qi, or the vital energy that flows through the body, can be balanced using acupuncture. By balancing the qi, acupuncturists are able to provide their CFS patients with a reduction of overall symptoms.

Moxibustion’s ability to target fatigue

 Moxibustion is a form of acupuncture that involves burning the powerful herb, mugwort, while stimulating certain pressure points on the body. The herb, which is in a dried form, is rolled into a cigar-shaped stick and then lit for each session. The lit mugwort stick is moved over the pre-determined areas of the body, and the heat is allowed to penetrate the skin.  Moxibustion has been shown to effectively reduce the severity of the fatigue aspect of CFS, which for many sufferers, is their most relentless and debilitating symptom. Many patients who have undergone this therapy are astounded by the marked increase in their energy levels, especially once they have had the opportunity to experience the cumulative effects of several sessions.

Correcting Yin & Yang deficiencies

Acupuncturists have found that individuals suffering from CFS and similar illnesses often have deficiencies in their yin or yang. In some cases, deficiencies of both have been identified within the same patient. These opposite but totally necessary types of energy are in perfect balance in order to function harmonically.  By correcting an imbalance or deficiency in yin and yang, practitioners have had the ability to boost CFS patient’s immune systems. Endorphins are released during acupuncture sessions, which encourages the body to produce natural antibodies, therefore improving fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, aches and pains, sleep dysfunction, and many of the other symptoms of this complex illness.

For patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, many types of acupuncture have been shown to be effective at improving a lot of their symptoms.  While one type of acupuncture may not effective for everyone with CFS, different types can be tried until an effective form is identified. Acupuncture is a not a cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, but it does have the potential to encourage natural healing within the body, which can dramatically improve a person’s life.