Acupuncture and Acupressure for Fatigue

When it comes to fatigue there can be many underlying causes to what is going on in the body. From acute fatigue to chronic fatigue chinese medicine has an answer and can help the body find balance by discovering what the cause is.

Generally, the most common causes come from over work, stress, not enough rest and poor diet. On the other hand for more difficult cases a severe illness like lyme disease, a severe injury, childbirth, excessive sexual activity and drug use can also cause fatigue. Acute issues of fatigue can usually be bettered by being able to take the time for adequate sleep, napping and a balanced diet. For more severe cases acupuncture is a great alternative to finding the internal balance needed to over come fatigue.

Figuring out where to start an acupuncturist must begin with the symptoms and signs a patient presents with. Besides being tired all other fatigue related symptoms can be linked to an organ system in the body, which helps provide an acupuncturist with forming a diagnosis.

Here is a list of some related symptoms and they're related organs:

1. Poor appetite, muscle weakness, uncomfortable after eating, loose stools=Spleen
2. Epigastric pain, dry mouth, dry stools=Stomach
3. Insomnia, palpitations, dizziness=Heart
4. Weak voice, shortness of breath, catching colds easily=Lungs
5. Tinnitus, extreme exhaustion, sore low back and knees=kidneys
6. Blurred vision, constipation, numbess and tingling, dry skin=Liver

The above symptoms are considered symptoms of deficiency in their related organ systems, this deficiency is predominately why fatigue would be occurring. There are also signs as well that can be seen on the body that can indicate what is going on internally. The look of the tongue is a sign, tongues can range greatly in shape, size, color and can clearly show what is going on in the body.

 Here is a simple list of what tongues can say:

1. Purple body= Blood stagnation
2. Teeth marks on the sides=Qi deficiency
3. Swollen body=Dampness
4. Red body=Heat
5. Thick white coat=Coldness
6. Pale tongue=Blood deficiency

Combining the signs and symptoms is the key to figuring out where and what to work on in acupuncture. There are many acupuncture points on the body that can be used for fatigue depending on the diagnosis, but in most cases there are some points that self acupressure can be used on a regular basis in order to help yourself overcome fatigue.

On the inside of the leg about one hand width or 3 inches above the very top of the ankle bone lies a point that can be massaged with acupressure 3 to 5 times a day for a few minutes or until the area becomes red. In some cases this point will be very tender upon touch, so it may be good to start off using light pressure and to massage it daily until the tenderness goes away.

This point is called Spleen 6 or known as Sanyinjiao, it is an intersection of 3 different acupuncture meridians, stimulating this point has effect over the Spleen, Liver and Kidneys. It can help resolve most digestive and reproductive issues as well as improve sleep. Massaging it regularly can help the body find balance.

Although, getting regular acupuncture treatments from a licensed acupuncturist can do can a lot more for fatigue. If you or any one you know suffers from fatigue please contact your local acupuncturist to see what they can do for you. I hope you have enjoyed this article and please leave any comments or questions below and thanks for visiting Acuthink!