Fatigue, or exhaustion, describes a state of tiredness or lassitude affecting both the physical and or mental functions. Fatigue is a common complaint and a normal physiological response from excessive physical or mental activity, and such causes of fatigue is usually quickly and easily relieved with rest.
General mild fatigue will have a discernible cause from your routine or habits such as from overworking, lack of sleep, or certain medications. Depending on the cause, it can be short-term or prolonged, however, it is important to not confuse prolonged fatigue with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which has a set of criteria set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to Chinese Medicine, fatigue may be caused by Blood, Qi, Yang, or Yin deficiencies, stagnation of Qi and Blood, or exogenous factors. Once the cause is differentiated, it can be treated effectively with acupuncture, herbal medicine and dietary or lifestyle modifications.
Prolonged fatigue can negatively impact your psychological and emotional wellbeing, therefore it is important to rectify the issue before it causes additional damage to your health.
Fatigue could also be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical problem that requires treatment. It is always advised to see a medical professional to rule out any serious primary medical conditions that might be the root cause.
Try Massaging the Acupressure Points Below to Help Alleviate the Symptoms of Fatigue:
- DU 20 (Bai Hui) : This point is located on the vertex of the head, on the midpoint of the line connecting the apexes of both ears.
- KD 1 (Yong Quan) : This point is located on the sole, in depression with the foot in plantar flexion, at the junction of the anterior 1/3 and posterior 2/3 of line from the web between the 2nd and 3rd toes to the back of the heel.
- 4 Gates (LI 4 & LV 3) :
- LI 4 is located on the top of the hand, on the web between the thumb and index finger. Squeeze the thumb against the base of the index finger, and this point is located on the highest point of the bulge of the muscle, level with the end of the crease.
- LV 3 is located on the dorsum of the foot in a depression distal to the junctions of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones.
These Acupressure points should be stimulated with moderate pressure and should be stimulated frequently throughout the day! Stimulate each point with your thumb and/or index finger for at least a minute before moving on to the next point!
Disclaimer: This information is intended as a patient education resource only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem as it is not a substitute for expert professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, please consult with your primary care physician.
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