Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is hard enough to diagnose, let alone treat, and everyone's experience of CFS is different. This means that finding an effective treatment is a personal journey for many sufferers, who often turn to more holistic, alternative treatments more relief from their symptoms.
Here are a few homeopathic therapies that have been found to work by chronic fatigue sufferers. Each of them works by improving your energy levels and restoring your body to balance. Try these in combination with the dietary and lifestyle changes on the rest of this site.
Acupuncture has been used by the Chinese as a method of prevention, treatment and management of illness for thousands of years. Acupuncture is believed to unblock energy flows, and help the body function more efficiently by stimulating blood circulation and hormone secretions. Importantly for CFS sufferers, it can also be used to alleviate pain.
An acupuncturist inserts very fine needles into various acupressure points across the body. It is believed that energy flows through these meridian pathways. With the stimulation of acupuncture the energy imbalances are corrected, as the needles stimulate and balance energy flow in the body. After approximately one hour the needles are removed.
If you can't stand needles, then reflexology might be an option. It feels amazing and is a very pleasurable experience. Reflexology is a science based on application of gentle pressure on reflex areas in the body, mostly on the hands, feet and ears.
This natural healing art improves blood circulation to your tissues and organs by opening the channels of energy throughout the body. This is helpful for symptoms of CFS, and many have found relief from symptoms like stress, depression, and sleeplessness.
Light therapy is frequently used by those suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), but it also helpful in reducing chronic fatigue symptoms. It has been shown that exposure to bright light is helpful in reducing melatonin (sleep hormone) levels.
On a day to day basis, exposing yourself to sunlight can do the same thing. Its also important to note that the eyes are crucial in 'switching off' your body's melatonin production - if you walk around in dark shades all day your body will think you're still in the dark!
This healing art was originated in Japan by Dr. Mikao Usui. Although there is so far no scientific explanation as to Reiki's result, many people swear this treatment works for them. It works to unblock energy channels, allowing the energy to flow freely through your body and increasing vitality and well being.
Importantly for CFS sufferers, Reiki helps to reduce aches and pains, stress, anxiety and depression. It also is thought to boost your immune system function.
Reiki requires no pressure or pain, so it's gentle for anyone with body aches. The therapist simply lies their hand on the patient, who remains fully clothed throughout. It is believed that healing life energy is directed through the therapist's palms.
