TIREDNESS AND CHRONIC FATIGUE
Tiredness, lethargy or a general lack of energy or drive can be caused by many imbalances in Chinese medicine. Usually, there is a weakness in one or more organs, often kidney, stomach and spleen, or substances such as the blood or qi. Treatment would aim to tonify or strengthen these weaknesses. Typically a combination of needles and moxa would be used.
Chronic Fatigue, sometimes called ME or Post Viral Syndrome, can need treating differently. As the latter name would suggest, the condition often (but not always) follows a viral infection. In Chinese Medicine terms the pathogen is thought to have lodged in the system and is unable to be cleared by an already weakened system. Because of this the first step is to actively clear the pathogen from the system. My experience has taught me that a combination of clearing and strengthening at the same time often brings about quicker results.
Mild tiredness may improve greatly after only a few treatments, however, the more extreme and long term the tiredness is, the longer it usually takes to reach a significant level of improvement. That said, there is usually some sense of improvement after around 4 treatments, but usually there is a need to have ongoing treatments over several months to feel fully recovered. It is common for Chronic Fatigue sufferers to carry on with regular treatments at 4 to 6 week intervals to boost energy levels and prevent recurrence.
