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Adrenal fatigue is a condition that occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to supply the body with the hormones adrenal fatigue that it needs to function properly due to chronic stress and/or illness. Long-term, chronic stress, toxins, infections, lack of exercise, poor diet, medications, financial pressures, allergies and insomnia can overwhelm the adrenal glands and prevent them from functioning properly. When this occurs, you can experience unrelenting fatigue, depression, insomnia, concentration difficulties and more. When you suffer from adrenal fatigue, your cardiovascular system can be impacted, your body may not be able to metabolize fats, carbohydrates and proteins properly, you may experience low libido and your fluid and electrolyte levels can become unbalanced.

Conditions Associated with Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal fatigue can increase your risk of a number of health complaints, including respiratory illnesses, allergies, asthma, and more. Let’s take a look at some of the issues associated with adrenal fatigue.

  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
  • Cognitive decline, including decreased concentration and confusion
  • Craving salty or sweet foods
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Insomnia
  • Low libido
  • Lupus
  • Reliance on stimulants like coffee, energy drinks and tea to make it through the day
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Thyroid problems
  • Type 2 Diabetes
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Weight gain

Healing the adrenal glands from adrenal fatigue requires a multifaceted approach that includes lifestyle changes, supplementation and holistic medicine. Each of these works to heal the adrenal glands and reduce stress so that the adrenal glands can recover.

Lifestyle improvements that can help improve adrenal gland production include stopping smoking, reducing drug and alcohol consumption, eating a well-balanced diet, getting 30 minutes of exercise daily and getting at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Making these changes takes time and support through those changes with acupuncture can increase a persons chance of being successful.

Holistic medicine focuses on healing the whole person, including the body, the spirit and the mind. This branch of medicine uses alternative and conventional therapies to prevent and treat diseases to improve your health, using physical, environmental, spiritual, lifestyle, emotional and nutritional elements. Holistic medicine also includes stress reduction techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises, supplementation, the removal of food intolerance and acupuncture.

Acupuncture and Adrenal Fatigueacupuncture1 300x200

The adrenal glands produce a number of hormones that are necessary for optimal health, including cortisol, adrenaline, DHEA, aldosterone, testosterone and estrogen. When you are under constant emotional, mental or physical stress, the adrenal glands can over-produce cortisol to keep up with the demands of stress. Excess cortisol production prevents the adrenal glands from producing other hormones that the body needs, resulting in fatigue, body aches, sleep disturbances, digestive issues and nervousness.

Acupuncture is one of the best methods to heal the adrenal glands. Acupuncture works by relaxing the nervous system, which helps improve digestion, promotes relaxation and brings the whole body into harmony. Acupuncture is a mechanical way to regulate the Qi (internal energy) and the yin and yang (the harmony of two opposite elements). When the Qi becomes blocked or the yin and yang of the body become imbalanced, disease and illness can occur. Acupuncture ensures the Qi flows freely through the body and the yin and yang are balanced. In Western terms acupuncture helps restore homeostasis. Because the adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys, Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the kidney meridian as a starting point.

Acupuncture uses fine needles that are placed at specific locations throughout the body to rebalance yin and yang. Acupuncture for adrenal fatigue stimulates the points associated with the kidneys to boost adrenal functions, to promote healthy cortisol levels and increase the production of dopamine and serotonin to lower stress.

Additionally, acupressure can be used to extend your treatments. Self-applied acupressure to the inside of the ankle between the Achilles tendon and the medial malleolus can help improve adrenal function between acupuncture appointments. For best results, massage the area, applying firm pressure, in a clockwise motion on each ankle daily.

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