Maureen, a 45-year-old woman, came to our clinic seeking relief from debilitating symptoms that had significantly impacted her quality of life. She had been diagnosed by her functional medicine doctor with adrenal fatigue, and her symptoms had begun 18 months earlier, following a severe case of COVID-19, which was further complicated by a subsequent episode of bronchitis. The lingering effects of these illnesses had taken a toll on her energy levels and overall well-being. This Adrenal fatigue case report describes how acupuncture helped restore her health.
Adrenal Fatigue
From a Western functional medicine perspective, adrenal fatigue is considered a condition where the adrenal glands, responsible for producing hormones like cortisol, become overworked and unable to keep up with the body’s demands during prolonged stress. This leads to suboptimal levels of cortisol, which can disrupt the body’s natural stress response. Patients often experience symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty waking up in the morning, brain fog, irritability, weakened immune function, and cravings for salty or sweet foods. Functional medicine views adrenal fatigue as a result of chronic stress and imbalance in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, often recommending lifestyle changes, stress management, nutritional support, and supplements to help restore adrenal function and overall health.
Adrenal Fatigue Case Report
When Maureen first arrived, she described experiencing severe fatigue that left her feeling drained and unable to function as she had before. Along with the exhaustion, she reported frequent dizziness, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings of stress. She often felt short of breath, and her heart would race with palpitations at unexpected moments. Sleep had become elusive, with insomnia contributing to her overall sense of being run down. In addition to physical symptoms, Maureen struggled with a lack of motivation, describing how difficult it was for her to complete daily tasks or feel any enthusiasm for activities she used to enjoy.
Upon examination, Maureen’s tongue was pale with scalloped edges, a key indicator of Spleen Qi deficiency in Chinese medicine. Her pulse was weak, reinforcing the diagnosis of both Spleen Qi deficiency and Heart Blood deficiency. These combined imbalances pointed to what we call a Gui Pi pattern in Chinese medicine, named after the well-known herbal formula Gui Pi Pian. This pattern is characterized by a weakening of the digestive system’s energy (Spleen Qi), which then affects the heart, leading to the emotional symptoms of anxiety and feeling overwhelmed that Maureen was experiencing.
We explained to Maureen that her symptoms stemmed from these underlying imbalances and that our treatment would focus on restoring harmony within her body, addressing the root cause of her condition rather than just alleviating the symptoms. Our approach combined acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Acupuncture would work to regulate her energy (Qi), nourish her blood, and calm her mind, while the herbal formula Gui Pi Pian would support the rejuvenation of her Spleen and Heart functions.
Acupuncture Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue
The acupuncture treatments utilized in this Adrenal fatigue case report included the following points: ST36 (Zusanli), an essential point to tonify Spleen Qi and improve overall energy; SP3 (Taibai), to strengthen the Spleen; CV12 (Zhongwan) and CV14 (Juque), both vital for harmonizing the digestive system and calming the heart; CV17 (Shanzhong) to support the upper body and open the chest, relieving anxiety and shortness of breath; ST21 (Liangmen) for digestive support; PC6 (Neiguan), a powerful point to calm the heart and alleviate anxiety and palpitations; Si Shen Cong and GV20 (Baihui) to lift mental clarity and reduce dizziness; Yintang to promote relaxation and reduce insomnia; and auricular Shenmen to soothe the nervous system.
Case Progress
After three weekly acupuncture sessions, Maureen began to notice significant improvements. Her energy levels had increased by about 40%, and she no longer felt the crushing fatigue that had dominated her life for the past 18 months. This improvement was due to her digestive system working better. She was transforming food into energy more effectively. Additionally, her anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed had diminished, and she was beginning to feel motivated again. While still present, the shortness of breath and heart palpitations had become less frequent and less intense.
By her sixth session, Maureen reported that she was feeling 70% better. The dizziness had nearly disappeared, and she slept more soundly through the night. Her motivation levels had dramatically improved, allowing her to re-engage with activities that she had previously set aside due to her fatigue. She expressed gratitude for being able to feel like herself again and was hopeful for continued progress.
Healing Adrenal Fatigue with Acupuncture
Following her eighth acupuncture treatment, Maureen’s improvement was remarkable. She felt 90% better overall, with almost no residual symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, anxiety, or shortness of breath. Her heart palpitations had entirely resolved, and she was once again sleeping deeply through the night. At this stage, she transitioned to a maintenance schedule, coming in for acupuncture sessions once a month to ensure her body remained balanced and that her symptoms did not return.
For the next six months, Maureen continued with monthly maintenance treatments, and during this time, she reported feeling completely normal again. The combination of acupuncture and Gui Pi Pian not only resolved her symptoms but also strengthened her overall resilience, preventing a recurrence of the debilitating fatigue and anxiety she had suffered.
Acupuncture Tackles Challenges Health Conditions
This Adrenal fatigue case report highlights the power of acupuncture in addressing complex, chronic conditions like adrenal fatigue and post-viral syndromes such as Long Covid. By focusing on the underlying imbalances in the body rather than just treating symptoms, acupuncture helps the body restore its natural balance and vitality. Maureen’s recovery demonstrates the potential of acupuncture to resolve conditions related to fatigue, anxiety, and other autoimmune symptoms, offering a safe and effective treatment with no adverse side effects.
Our patient’s experience in this Adrenal fatigue case report underscores the importance of integrative approaches in healthcare, where combining treatments like acupuncture and herbal medicine can provide profound and lasting relief for patients struggling with chronic conditions.
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What our Clients are Saying
Raleigh Acupuncture cured my adrenal fatigue! I thought I was stuck with it for the rest of my life. I had to quit my job and was depressed. A friend took me to see Jade. She is amazing. I feel so much better. I’m back at work and happy again. Thank you Jade and Raleigh Acupuncture.
Two years ago all of a sudden I lost my energy, motivation and health. One day I was fine, the next I was sick. After a number of doctor visits and lots of research I learned that I had adrenal fatigue. My condition was not improving. I kept trying different things. Finally I literally stumbled into Raleigh Acupuncture. Jade is amazing. She totally understood what was happening to me and what needed to be done to restore my health. I’ve been going to her for the past six months and I am happy to say that my health has returned. I don’t know what I would have done without her. It felt like my life was over. Now I feel alive again!!
I am a long term patient of Raleigh Acupuncture. Prior to being under their care, I was disabled with terrible fatigue and pain all over my body. I was unable to drive, could only walk less than a block, and had numerous symptoms that mystified doctors. After countless lab work, x-rays, and MRI’s, several doctors including my primary physician told me that there was nothing that could be done. According to them, it was either an illness that was undiagnosable or it was all in my head. When I came to Raleigh Acupuncture, it was a breath of fresh air. They took me very seriously and were not mystified by my condition. They assured me that my condition was treatable and manageable. They treat me with respect, dignity and care; something that I didn’t receive at my primary care doctor. Thanks to their treatments I am now living a normal life. They have restored my health and taught me how to manage my condition. My family and friends can’t believe how much improvement I have made. My son is grateful to have his mommy back! And I am eternally grateful to Raleigh Acupuncture! They truly have the gift of healing!
