The symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be greatly improved using acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.

Careful diagnosis is important and an acupuncture treatment plan can not only improve symptoms but can bring about a full recovery in many people suffering Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as ME)

CFS is a disorder that can be quite debilitating and hard to treat with 'conventional' methods. It is characterised by sore, aching muscles and joints, extremely low energy or physical and mental/emotional exhaustion that lasts for more than six months. Other signs and symptoms such as poor digestion and appetite, depression, poor immune function, headaches, poor memory or concentration and circulatory problems may also be present.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is hard to diagnose as there are no specific tests and diagnosis is made symptomatically. Since it is hard to diagnose, many people suffering this condition are left frustrated, without answers or appropriate support.

The causes of CFS/ME are debatable and there are several theories. Many people think it is a post-viral complication and it seems that many people with this syndrome come down with symptoms after infections such as mononucleosis (glandular fever) or other febrile infections.

From the point of view of Chinese Medicine, this theory makes a lot of sense. Chinese Medicine has long recognized the possibility of a 'residual pathogen' causing such symptoms as seen in CFS after febrile illnesses. The theory is that a 'pathogenic factor', having breeched our immune defenses (Defensive Qi in Chinese Medicine) remains lodged half-way between the interior and exterior. This results in a disruption of the Spleen Qi and accumulation of Dampness (which causes many of the symptoms such as headache, heavy limbs, loss of appetite etc.).

Treatment in this case, has to carefully balance a process of building (Tonifying) the body's qi, while at the same time expelling a pathogen (Reducing excess). This is usually done with a combination of herbs and acupuncture. Treatment must be carefully tailored to the individual rather than adopting a generic protocol.