Acupuncture for adrenal fatigue support
The chances are you’ve never heard of adrenal fatigue, but there’s a really good chance you’ve experienced it. In fact, it may well be a condition you’re living with, and you don’t even realise it.
Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe a collection of typically nonspecific symptoms, such as fatigue, body aches, and digestive problems, which are often attributed to chronic stress and the malfunction of the adrenal glands.
The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney and produce hormones like cortisol, which play a key role in regulating metabolism, immune response, and blood pressure, especially during times of stress.
Due to the demand on the adrenal glands, they are unable to produce other hormones that the body requires, which causes weariness, pains, sleep disruptions, digestive problems, and anxiousness.
The concept of adrenal fatigue is well known within the field of complementary medicine but in mainstream medicine, the symptoms associated with “adrenal fatigue” are often attributed to other well-established conditions.
These might include Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) which is characterised by profound fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest and may worsen with physical or mental activity.
Other conditions that may be classed as adrenal fatigue might be depression and anxiety (which can trigger symptoms such as fatigue, aching, and changes in appetite), thyroid disorders, sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea or insomnia, or nutritional deficiencies.
Of course, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms on an ongoing and chronic basis, then it’s important to talk to your GP so any potential underlying cause can be identified.
However, adrenal fatigue doesn’t have to be a symptom of a more serious issue.
Simple and common conditions such as stress can cause a variety of physical and mental health problems which can impair the body’s ability to cope, leading to symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbances, and a weakened immune system.
Typical day-to-day issues that can see the emergence of adrenal fatigue symptoms might be:
- Work pressure: Long hours, high demands, and job-related stress can contribute to chronic stress.
- Emotional stress: Difficult relationships, grief, financial problems, or other emotional issues can lead to chronic stress.
- Lifestyle: Poor diet, lack of exercise, and inadequate sleep can exacerbate stress levels.
- Traumatic events: Physical or emotional trauma, such as accidents or the death of a loved one, can trigger chronic stress.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to environmental toxins or pollutants can contribute to stress.
- Genetic history: Some individuals might be genetically predisposed to be more sensitive to stress.
Acupuncture for adrenal fatigue
One of the best ways to control the adrenal glands is acupuncture. The nervous system is relaxed during acupuncture treatment, and by calming the nervous system, acupuncture enables the body to enter a state in which it is able to heal naturally in a more efficient way.
When we experience chronic adrenal fatigue, it’s the equivalent of keeping a car at full revs all the time. There’s no let-up, and no space and time for us to ‘reset’ ourselves and regain physical and emotional balance.
Acupuncture for adrenal fatigue stimulates the kidney-related acupoints to take the pressure off our overdriven adrenals, support adrenal function, support healthy cortisol levels, and boost dopamine and serotonin production to reduce stress.
The effects of your acupuncture treatments can also be prolonged by using acupressure. Between acupuncture treatments, self-applied acupressure to the spots between your Achilles tendon and medial malleolus (inner ankle bone) and one hand’s width below the lateral border of the kneecap (see images below) will help improve adrenal function. Every day, firmly rub these points in a clockwise motion for a few minutes.
If you’d like to know more about how acupuncture can help to manage your symptoms of adrenal fatigue – either as a standalone treatment, or as part of an integrated approach to resolving a chronic condition – please get in touch for an informal and totally confidential chat.