Imagine sleeping all day and still
feeling exhausted. Imagine days filled with headaches, confusion, muscle and
joint aches, trouble concentrating, possibly even fevers and sore throats
without any possibility of relief. This is what life is like for people
suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. The leading causes of chronic fatigue
syndrome are the Epstein-barr virus, the human herpes virus-6 and inflammation
in the immune system (2). Upon initial onset, symptoms present mimicking the
flu (1). It is more commonly seen in women age 30-50 and risk factors increase
with prior illness, stress, genetics and environmental factors (2).
Western medicine has no cure for
chronic fatigue syndrome at the present time (2). It also runs the risk of
being improperly diagnosed considering the signs and symptoms will often
overlap with those of fibromyalgia (3). The ways to manage symptoms include a
healthy diet, cognitive behavioral therapy, a regulated sleep schedule, and
medicines to reduce pain, anxiety and depression. A doctor may also suggest the
patient to rest when feeling worn out, breaking larger tasks into smaller ones
that are easier to manage, balancing life between activity, rest and sleep, and
tackling larger tasks over the course of the week instead of all at once. Ways
to reduce the pain are with relaxation techniques such as biofeedback, deep
breathing, hypnosis, massage therapy, meditation and yoga. Some people recover
within six months to a year, and some people never quite recover (2).
Traditional Chinese Medicine sees
chronic fatigue syndrome in terms of six different patterns: Spleen Qi and Yang
Xu (fatigue over a long period of time); LQS overacting on the Spleen/Stomach
(alternating loose stools and constipation); Heart Xue/Ying Xu (palpitations
and insomnia); Kidney Qi and Yang Xu (morning diarrhea and frequent urination);
Phlegm Obstruction and Damp Retention (plum pit qi and a heavy sensation); and
Heat Toxicity (sore throat and swollen lymph nodes).
The basic prescription regardless of
the D&D is ST36, DU20 and PC6 along with the auricular points; adrenal, sub
cortex and endocrine. For Spleen Qi and Yang Xu the points Ren 6,12 SP6, and BL
20,21 should be added and the formula Shi Quan Da Bu Tang should be employed.
For less cold symptoms, the formulas Si Jun Zi Tang or Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
should suffice. For LQS overacting on the Spleen/Stomach the points GB 8,20,34
LI4, LV 3,14 and ST 19,25 should be added along with the formula Xiao Yao San,
or Yue Ju Wan if there is more constrained Qi. Heart Xue/Ying Xu should be
treated with the points HT 6,7 SP 1,6 and BL 15,17. A good base formula to be
administered in this case would be Gui Pi Tang. For Kidney Qi/Yang Xu the
points Ren 4,6 SP6, GB34, KD3, DU4, and BL23 can be used along with the formula
You Gui Yin, or Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan. Phlegm Obstruction and Damp Retention
would require use of the points SJ5, ST40, SP9 and Ren22 in addition to the formula
Er Chen Tang or Ban Xia Hou Po Tang. Heat Toxicity would benefit from the
points DU14, LI 4,11 ST44, LV2 and SP21 and the formula Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang
or Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San can be enlisted to help (1).
One other thing to keep in mind when
treating chronic fatigue syndrome is that often people with such suppressed
immune systems will also suffer from hypersensitive allergic reactions. These
kinds of reactions can halt progress towards recovery. In these cases
strengthening the LU Qi is going to be of upmost importance on the road to
recovery. This can be helped with the points LU7, GB31 and cupping on Ren8 (1).
Commonly, treatment needs to be
continued for a minimum of three months to maintain lasting results (1). During
this time it is important to educate the patient on lifestyle changes as well
as dietary changes to ensure their continued recovery after discontinuing
treatments. Being that the word "chronic" is in the name of the
disease, this usually tells us that it took a while to come on. This can lead
us to expect that it will take an equal amount of time to fully recover. It is
important that the patient realizes that it will be a slow process and is
willing to commit to, and be proactive in their own recovery. As practitioners,
we have to give patients the tools as well as the knowledge on how to use them,
and then the rest is up to them.
Works Cited:
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