From an acupuncture and East Asian Medicine (EAM) perspective, there are numerous imbalances in our bodies that can cause the constant fatigue. Here are some of the most common imbalances that can lead to fatigue, lethargy, lack of energy and motivation, and tiredness.
1. Deficiency – Simply put, when systems in our body are compromised (through illness, heredity, stress, or lifestyle choices), they can’t produce the abundance of good, positive energy our body and mind needs to function. Many different systems in our body can produce a feeling of fatigue when they are weakened. When the qi produced by our spleen and lungs is compromised, we often feel like we don’t have enough energy to get through the day. This sort of fatigue often improves with good sleep, improved hygiene and a healthy diet.
When the liver blood energy is weakened (through overwork, poor sleep, poor diet, illness or excessive bleeding), the fatigue we experience is hard to shake. We may feel restless and have a hard time falling asleep, even though we are tired. This type of fatigue is improved by eating more dark leafy greens, nuts, seeds and beans, accompanied by citrus fruit. The greens, nuts, etc. nourish the blood energy and the citrus fruit makes the nutrients more absorbable.
A deficiency of either kidney yin or kidney yang can also result in fatigue. This kind of fatigue manifests as true exhaustion. It is very important to give yourself ample time to rest, to recover from this type of tiredness. Dietary changes, as well as herbal medicine, can also be very helpful.
2. Stagnation – Fatigue does not always stem from a weakness in your body’s energy. Sometimes fatigue comes from energy not moving properly. Health, in EAM, is all about the smooth flow of energy (qi) through the body. When something alters that smooth flow, like illness, injury, trauma, stress, poor lifestyle choices, etc., fatigue can be a result.
When your body’s energy is not flowing the way it should be, your body actually has to exert a lot more energy to keep you running well. The kind of fatigue that comes from qi stagnation can present as a fatigue that is actually better with exercise or movement. It is the kind of fatigue that makes it really hard to get to the gym, but completely disappears once you complete your work out. Qi stagnation fatigue can make us feel “tired but wired,” and can also be closely related to feeling overwhelmed or run down by stress.
3. Dampness – Dampness is a concept somewhat unique to EAM. It refers to an abnormal processing of fluids in the body. Dampness can “lodge” itself in many different areas and can lead to numerous symptoms. When dampness is pervasive throughout the whole body, there is a kind of constant fatigue that can be both physical and mental. Patients who are tired from dampness describe feeling “sluggish,” “heavy,” or “fuzzy.” This kind of fatigue is greatly improved by making dietary changes, such as reducing the intake of dairy, cold temperature or raw foods, and greasy or fried foods. Dampness is also helped by regular exercise, which helps to break through that sluggishness. Also trying to remove yourself from damp environments and spending some time in an infrared sauna can be very beneficial for this type of fatigue.
In all of these situations, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be a huge help. Acupuncture and herbs focus on creating balance in the body to restore energy and vitality, rather than giving you false energy like coffee or an energy drink. You don’t deserve to be tired all the time and the combination of dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes and EAM can get you back on the road to health, vitality and feeling great.