Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS)
What if the answer to your chronic fatigue is relaxing 30-minute acupuncture sessions? The field of acupuncture has delivered promising results throughout centuries. Contradictory to the common belief that acupuncture, a holistic therapy, is only helpful in relieving pain or muscle spasm; however, it is being widely used for many conditions such as insomnia, infertility, and hypertension.
The encouraging outcomes of acupuncture used for various diseases have led to widespread research about its application in different chronic conditions. One such condition noted is the chronic fatigue syndrome which causes extreme fatiguability on minimal activity and tends to stay for a very long time.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and its Symptoms
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is labeled a complicated disorder that an already existing medical condition can’t clearly explain. It is a long-lasting and debilitating disease characterized by extreme bouts of exhaustion. The fatigue occurs during the day or after doing daily activities. Unfortunately, the condition doesn’t get better with rest. For a person to have a diagnosis of CFS, they need to have the symptoms for a period of six months, and the symptoms need to be there for most of the time during this period.
The exact mechanism underlying chronic fatigue syndrome is not understood. To establish a diagnosis, all other underlying diseases that may cause fatigue need to be ruled out, like fibromyalgia and myositis. Once confirmed through various laboratory tests, the absence of any underlying disease and presence of chronic fatigue warrants a diagnosis of CFS. Signs and symptoms most commonly seen may include:
- Fatigue (extreme) and doesn’t get better with resting
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Lymphadenopathy – enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits
- Muscle or joint ache
- Unrefreshing sleep
- The condition may worsen after physical or mental exertion
How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture, an ancient form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), first originated in China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) and has since been intuitively used to help heal and treat various health conditions. Western medicine practitioners have embraced its practical use over the centuries, especially in the USA, where acupuncture is now categorized as a medical tool by the FDA.
Acupuncture works by inserting fine and thin needles and modulating specific pressure points through the skin. For instance, you might feel pressure buildup in your back or around your hips from prolonged sitting. With the use of a needle, certain points called ‘acupoints’ can be relaxed. Acupuncture points are believed to increase the natural healing of the body. In order to enhance the effects of the procedure, the acupuncturist may twirl the needles slightly or apply electrical or heat stimulus.
Several theories imply that acupuncture works by maintaining a balance in vital energy called Qi, pronounced ‘chi’, or producing neurological effects. According to the Chinese tradition, Qi flows through specific channels in the body called meridians. Having problems with Qi or the meridians could lead to an energy imbalance and subsequent disease manifestation. Hence improving energy flow is one aspect of the healing properties of acupuncture.
Additionally, the neurological effects are acquired by stimulation of the central nervous system by means of releasing chemicals such as endorphins. Endorphins are natural produced pain killers (released in the brain) and are released at acupoints by inserting thin needles through the skin. These biochemical changes, in turn, can help relieve short-term pain and discomfort following an injury or in a medical condition. Acupuncture is therefore applied as an alternative therapy for CFS. Along with this, studies made by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have shown this practice to be an effective treatment alone or coupled with traditional therapies in treating the following:
- Nausea caused by surgical anesthesia and cancer chemotherapy
- Dental pain after surgery
- Addiction
- Headaches
- Menstrual cramps
- Tennis elbow
- Fibromyalgia
- Myofascial pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Low back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Asthma
It may also help with stroke rehabilitation.
Benefits of Acupuncture
The real benefits of acupuncture can be seen compared to the traditional, contemporary medicines prescribed for certain diseases and illnesses, along with the usage of herbs. Although modern medicine has revolutionized the way we cure illnesses, our increased uptake of drugs has had adverse effects on humanity. A study based on the uptake of contemporary medications states that this increased uptake may sensitize the skin against herbal remedies leading to dermatitis and other allergic reactions.
Furthermore, taking up multiple drugs can lead to them reacting together in the body. They may produce a toxic metabolite that can worsen the state of the body and increase the agony of the person. Another noticeable disadvantage of taking drugs is their dependency. Many pain killers, for instance, have ushered people to become dependent on their use and hard to let go of.
Lastly, acupuncture is considered a safe alternative and complementary medicine. This procedure has near-zero side effects, and the results are phenomenal. Moreover, the holistic approach taken by an acupuncturist guarantees a total body recovery and an overall rise in your health standard.
An acupuncture session. What to expect?
When you decide to go for an acupuncture session, you should have in mind the following aspects and procedures that may be performed:
- The practitioner, at first, examines your body and selects the area to be acupunctured to provide maximal relief. Then the acupuncturist will insert thin, sterile needles at the acupoints. Minimal discomfort is expected while the needles are placed.
- During the session, you will lie down or sit according to your needs. The needles will be around 5-20 in number, and they might be left at the point of insertion for 20-60 minutes, although it may differ, for its full effect to occur.
- The acupuncturist may slightly twirl the needles or give electrical or heat stimulation to the needle after their placement.
- The number of treatments required by a person may depend on the severity of the condition’s symptoms. The beginning of the treatment course may require a whole hour or more, but subsequent sessions might take up to 30-40 mins. Generally, there are 6-8 sessions for one entire course.
Results that you should expect.
Following an acupuncture treatment, a person may feel relaxed or energized, but not everyone responds to acupuncture in this manner. If you go for an acupuncture session, you might see the following results:
- Reduced stress levels and improved mood helps in relieving feelings of anxiety.
- Reduced joint aches
- Decrease in symptoms of neurological disorders and chronic diseases such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
- Acupuncture may lower your chances of getting ill, improving the body’s natural immune system.
- There are fewer chances of reoccurrence of digestive problems such as bowel obstruction syndrome or constipation.
- This procedure is also believed to induce much better sleep in the person since the body’s energy feels in balance and the nervous system gets appropriately stimulated.
Summary
Summing it all up, acupuncture is now a widely recognized, safe, and practical therapeutic method that can be used to get rid of or prevent many diseases processes. One such nagging disease is chronic fatigue syndrome – characterized by persistent and extreme fatigue. People with CFS can experience betterment in their disease course following several acupuncture sessions and have lasting effects.
Reference:
- NIH – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/acupuncture#:~:text=Acupuncture%20points%20are%20believed%20to,physical%20and%20emotional%20well%2Dbeing.
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156488#uses
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360490.
- https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2021/06/03/benefits-of-acupuncture
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/156488#what-to-expect
- Niggemann B, Grüber C. Side-effects of complementary and alternative medicine. Allergy. 2003 Aug;58(8):707-16. doi: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2003.00219.x. PMID: 12859546.