Acupuncture (and Osteopathy also, including Cranial Osteopathy) can help with Adrenal fatigue or burnout. There are many reasons for this, but it may include overwork, sleep deprivation, or use of alcohol or substances. There is also chronic fatigue which may result from long-term illness, and myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) which may result from previous viral infection.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (the basis of Acupuncture, and
Chinese Herbal Medicine) we have the wonderful idea of a dynamic balance of yin and yang - which can include and represent all body functions and physiology. In a more modern language, we might think of yin and yang as also including the regulation of the entire autonomic nervous system and endocrine systems. 'Yin', for example, would suggest adequate rest and sleep - as an essential part of good health. 'Yin' would also include 'quiet time' and things such as mindfulness meditation - very helpful for pain and stress management. Perhaps modern western culture over-emphasises the 'yang' - performance, activity, and the dynamic 'doing' mode of being.
All things in nature are held in balance: the rhythm of the seasons, the cycles of rest and activity, the processes of growth, maturity and decay. And as our bodies are part of this natural order – it would be wise to remember this – and act accordingly. And usually we do. We are active during the daylight hours, and rest at night.
We maintain our circadian rhythm in this way (light affects the pituitary gland, and causes wide acting effects, such as the release of cortisol and other hormones). Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenals, and in response to stress, greater amounts are released. Adrenal fatigue is thought to occur when excessive stimulation of the adrenals, over time, results in them no longer being able to produce the amount of cortisol necessary for optimal body function. Cortisol triggers the fight or flight response, and its also essential for managing metabolism, blood sugar, circadian rhythm (the sleep/wake cycle), the immune response, and inflammation.
Steroids are used as medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, whether a bursitis for muscle pain, asthma, skin diseases, or inflammatory bowel disease, etc. Steroids reduce inflammation and swelling. And cortisol is a steroid hormone that your body makes naturally. In the right amount, cortisol contributes to good memory, motivation, and reduces sensitivity to pain. It follows that if your body cannot easily make enough cortisol (due to burnout, or what we may call adrenal fatigue) then you will generally experience more pain, tiredness, and generally feel pretty rough.
Long working long hours, being deprived of rest and sleep, jet-lag, and stress - can all disrupt this ideal regulation of the body, energy levels, and ability to produce the correct amounts of cortisol. The result can be fatigue, exhaustion, irritability, inability to concentrate, an increased pain perception. Research suggests that chronic stress is linked to high blood pressure, clogged arteries anxiety, depression, addictive behaviours and obesity.
Acupuncture has a long history for maintaining health, and perhaps has great relevance in our modern age, where we may find ourselves under a constant barrage of sensory input from our screens, devices, endless emails, and social media. No other generation has perhaps had quite such a rich, and relentless exposure to so much that may overstimulate our nervous systems. In the fullness of our lives, we also need quietness and rest, friendship and meaningful social interaction (not just the screen time to replace this).
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine also has this wonderful notion of ‘cultivating the yin’ or quietness and stillness (and perhaps even solitude) something we intuitively feel we need, yet may struggle to find. By contrast, so much of our modern world is based on the dynamic yang principle of activity and 'hustle and bustle' – which at times can seem never ending. And sometimes, if allowed to happen in excess, may overstimulate out nervous systems – and predispose to burnout - or what we may call ‘adrenal fatigue’. Perhaps a demanding job, perhaps relentless deadlines, perhaps just to many people, to many commitments, or simply no space for ourselves.
But as our bodies are part of nature, they really have no other option other than to respond accordingly. At least the body (and our physiology) is honest. It has to be. It has to respond to the conditions around us, the food (and how much, or how little) we eat; exercise - and virtually every input.
Acupuncture can support us to help our bodies self-regulate. Sometimes I might suggest herbs (or supplements) to facilitate this also. But an Acupuncture treatment alone can be a wonderful way to restore balance and (eventually) vitality and well-being. If a condition has been there for a long time (perhaps several months) then several treatments may be required to bring balance and the desired results. By contrast, a more recent issue, or recent injury (perhaps only a few days or a week or so ago) may respond much faster, perhaps requiring only one or two treatments. This of course, also depends on the general health and well-being of the individual: generally younger people respond faster. A more complicated patient (long-term injuries, surgeries, illnesses and chronic health issues) takes time – and results may be slower. But there is nearly always something that can be done, and improvement to be gained on the road back to health.
In Traditional healthcare (and here we might include Osteopathy also, and Cranial Osteopath) we treat the person, the individual - not a ‘disease’ or illness, as we might in Western bio-medicine and pharmaceutical medicine. We aim to treat the ‘whole’ body, the ‘whole’ person (body, mind, and spirit) not just one part in isolation.
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