Energy & resilience
Acupuncture for Fatigue
Everyone feels tired sometimes. But when fatigue no longer passes, not even after rest or a good night’s sleep, it can have a major impact on your daily life. Acupuncture and laser acupuncture can be used to support the body in restoring energy, while also looking at what keeps the fatigue going.
How does fatigue show up?
Fatigue can be physical, mental, or a combination of both. With physical fatigue, the body feels heavy and the energy to do anything is lacking. With mental fatigue, everything feels like too much, your head feels heavy or foggy and concentration decreases. Many people describe feeling constantly "drained", with even small tasks taking effort.
Fatigue can have many causes, such as prolonged stress, a busy phase of life, worrying, poor sleep or recovery after illness or surgery. When fatigue lasts a long time, other complaints may develop, such as headaches, muscle aches, neck and back complaints, digestive complaints or reduced resistance. Frustration that daily life no longer runs smoothly can add further tension.
A particular form is post-viral fatigue. After a viral infection, such as flu, glandular fever or COVID, the body can remain out of balance for a long time. You are "better", but don’t feel recovered. Energy remains low, sleep is disturbed, muscles feel different or thinking is slower, as if there is a fog in your head.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Fatigue from a TCM perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, fatigue is seen as a deficiency of energy or a disrupted flow of it. Physical and emotional factors, such as stress, grief, worrying or poor sleep, can play a role. Treatment therefore focuses not only on the fatigue itself, but also on what underlies it.
Spleen and Lung Qi deficiency
Pi Fei Qi XuWithin TCM, the Spleen is seen as the source of daily energy and the Lung as the basis of resistance and breathing. A deficiency of Qi is associated with fatigue that worsens with exertion, a soft voice, shortness of breath and susceptibility to colds, as often seen after a viral infection.
Blood deficiency
Xue XuWithin TCM, Blood nourishes the body and mind. With a deficiency, fatigue may be accompanied by dizziness, pale skin, difficulty concentrating, light sleep and a restless feeling.
Dampness
ShiWhen digestion functions less well, TCM describes an accumulation of Dampness. This is associated with a heavy body, a foggy or dull head, sluggishness after eating and the feeling of never quite becoming clear-headed.
How can acupuncture and laser acupuncture help with fatigue?
During the first consultation, we take ample time to explore together what is playing a role in the background: physically, mentally and emotionally. This gives insight into what contributes to the lack of energy, and treatment is tailored accordingly.
- 01Targeted acupuncture: very fine needles are used on acupuncture points that are applied within TCM to replenish energy and support flow.
- 02Attention to the cause: alongside the fatigue itself, factors that may maintain it are addressed, such as stress, worrying or poor sleep, as well as accompanying complaints such as headaches or neck complaints.
- 03Following the body’s rhythm: especially with long-term or post-viral fatigue, treatment is built up gently. Not forcing, but supporting.
- 04Recovery in daily life: attention is also given to nutrition, sleep, rhythm and pacing activities, so that recovery is supported outside the treatments as well.
Prefer no needles?
Every treatment can also be carried out completely needle-free with laser acupuncture, in which the same points are treated with therapeutic laser light. Ear acupuncture is always carried out with the laser. Acupressure, which also uses no needles, can be used as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can acupuncture help with fatigue?
Acupuncture can be used to support the body in restoring energy. Treatment is tailored to your situation and also addresses factors that may maintain the fatigue, such as stress or poor sleep.
Can acupuncture help with fatigue after flu, glandular fever or COVID?
After a viral infection, the body can remain out of balance for a long time. Acupuncture can be used during this phase to support recovery. Treatment is built up gently and adapted to what your body can handle. For persistent complaints after COVID, you can also read the page on long COVID.
Has acupuncture for fatigue been researched?
Yes, acupuncture has been studied for chronic fatigue, including in controlled clinical trials. Some participants experienced more energy, better sleep and greater mental clarity. Results do vary per person: some people notice little or no difference.
Can laser acupuncture be used for fatigue?
Yes. When you are very tired, a needle-free treatment can be especially comfortable. Laser acupuncture asks little of the body and can be built up gently, on its own or combined with needle acupuncture.
How soon will I notice a difference?
This varies per person. With long-term fatigue, your energy reserves are often heavily depleted and it takes time to rebuild them. Some people notice change within a few weeks, for others recovery is more gradual.
What is the difference between fatigue and burnout?
Fatigue can have many causes, such as an infection, poor sleep or a busy period. With burnout, exhaustion results from prolonged overload, and emotional complaints and difficulty concentrating also play a major role. The two can overlap.
Related
Related complaints & patterns
Burnout & exhaustion
Prolonged exhaustion, low energy, and the feeling your reserves are empty, even after rest.
Sleep problems
Trouble falling asleep, restless sleep, waking frequently, or waking up unrefreshed.
Long COVID
Persistent fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty concentrating after a COVID infection.
Personal Treatment Plan
Tired, even after rest and sleep?
During a first appointment, we take the time to explore what lies behind your fatigue and which form of acupuncture suits you best.