Chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs) is a condition of incapacitating fatigue that may last for several months to several years. During this time, the person may be completely bed-ridden, finding the smallest task to be totally exhausting. The main symptoms that accompany this are sore throat, muscle aches and reduced mental functioning with poor concentration and memory. Other symptoms may be mood swings and depression. The sufferers of CFS are often sensitive to certain foods, have reduced tolerance to common environmental pollutants such as tobacco smoke and car exhaust fumes.

The CFS is believed to be a result of an abnormal response to virus or some other trigger factor. Often it is preceded by a viral infection such as glandular fever or hepatitis. It is recognised that there is a deficiency in the immune system.

Understanding in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views CFS as a deficiency type of illness. This deficiency may include Qi (vital energy) and Yin, companied by stagnation of free circulation of the Qi. The deficiency of Qi is characterised by fatigue, weakness, poor appetite and digestion, short of breath, weak and low voice and excessive sweating.

The Yin deficiency gives rise to emaciation dizziness, flushing, hot sensations in the palms, soles and centre of the chest, dry mount and throat and night sweating. in this connection, the Yin is a general term for all the nourishing fluids in the body. it also denotes the capacity of the body to hold its nourishment in the form of bodily tissues. When Yin is insufficient symptoms appear due to the lack of fluids and tissue substance.

The treatment of CFS in traditional Chinese medicine is to restore the normal circulation of the Qi and to re-balance the body. After the practitioner has correctly diagnosed the nature of the condition, i.e. either deficiency of Qi or Yin, acupuncture and/or herbal medicine may be used to restore the Qi or the Yin.