Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue can significantly impact quality of life, as those affected often find themselves unable to carry out their usual activities or professional tasks. Since the condition manifests very individually, symptoms can vary from person to person and may change in intensity over time. The most common symptoms include extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, concentration problems, muscle pain, headaches, and sore throat. Some individuals also report a decline in performance that can persist for months or even years.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is best described in traditional Chinese medicine as “Xu Lao.” This chronic condition is caused by several factors. The five causes of “Xu Lao” are prolonged overexertion, congenital weakness, unfavorable diet that weakens the spleen, incomplete recovery after a severe infection, or delayed or incorrect treatment of an illness. These factors lead to a significant deficiency in Qi, blood, Yin, or Yang.

In order to develop a specific treatment strategy, it is necessary to make an accurate syndrome diagnosis within the “Xu Lao” disease pattern. This is done by determining which deficiency is present in which organ. Examples of this include lung Qi deficiency, heart Qi deficiency, liver blood deficiency, spleen and stomach Yin deficiency, or kidney Yang deficiency. Depending on which quality is lacking in a specific organ, Chinese herbal teas are then used to try to rebuild that deficiency. Acupuncture is recommended in these cases to support the circulation of Qi. This is crucial because excessive supplementation over a long period of time can lead to stagnation. Acupuncture helps prevent this condition from occurring.

We would be happy to advise you on your individual symptoms and the possible therapies.