TCM classification of fatigue
Four main causes for fatigue, listlessness and lack of motivation
Traditional Chinese Medicine sees fatigue as being caused by blockages in the flow of the life energy Qi, a lack of Qi and an imbalance of yin and yang. It also takes the influences of pathogenic (disease-causing) factors into account. It sets out four main causes, each requiring its own treatment.
Traditional Chinese Medicine sees fatigue that occurs either sporadically or chronically as an indication that there are underlying disorders affecting the body. These can mainly be traced back to blockages in the flow of the life energy Qi and a lack of Qi.
Qi is assigned to the individual organs – TCM recognises a liver Qi, a kidney Qi and a spleen Qi, for example. However, in TCM the focus is less on the anatomical organs themselves: they are seen more as functional, interconnected centres of energy with a crucial role to play in our state of health.
Pathogens are also relevant in a TCM diagnosis. These are factors that can cause disease. They may be present externally or internally. The external factors might include viruses, cold, heat, injuries or incorrect nutrition. Internal factors are located in the emotions. Grief, anger and stress have a negative impact on the body, for example.
As with all complaints, Traditional Chinese Medicine tackles the condition of fatigue by treating the underlying causes. It identifies four main types:
Type 1: Blockages in the flow of the liver Qi
Symptoms: stress and depression
Type 1 is the most common cause of ongoing long-term fatigue. It is accompanied by listlessness and a lack of motivation. It is difficult to get out of bed in the mornings. You don’t feel any motivation even to do things you basically enjoy. People affected by type 1 fatigue often suffer from insomnia and other physical complaints as well.
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments release the stagnation of the liver Qi to cause a release of heat, which TCM sees as a pathogenic factor.
Type 2: Lack of kidney and spleen Qi
Symptoms: rapid tiredness after minimal exertion, shortness of breath
If fatigue sets in after a short walk, some light sporting activity or short meetings with other people, the cause lies in a shortage of Qi life energy. Other symptoms for type 2 include sudden hunger pangs or excessive sensitivity to heat or cold.
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments include drawing out dampness and boosting the levels of kidney and spleen Qi.
Type 3: Disruption in the balance between the forces of yin and yang
Symptoms: rapid tiredness, drowsiness and sensitivity to the cold
One sign of a lack of balance between yin and yang is a permanent state of tiredness. Other symptoms are night sweats and sudden thirst. A symptom of a lack of yin is a very red tongue with lots of fine cracks on the surface. If there is a shortage of yang, the tongue is large, moist and on the pale side.
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments ensure a healthy balance of yin and yang. They include drawing out heat and supplying warmth to the kidneys.
Type 4: Too much moisture in the body
Symptoms: permanent fatigue, poor digestion, loose stools
An excess of moisture in the body can also be a cause of chronic overtiredness. Too much moisture is often associated with obesity. A typical indicator is a white coating on the tongue
Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments draw out moisture and mucus, strengthen the digestive system and boost the spleen Qi.
Pulse rate as an important indicator
The four types come with different pulse rates. The focus on the pulse in the pulse and tongue diagnosis makes it easier to identify the underlying cause and design an appropriate TCM therapy.
Individually tailored, cause-related therapy plans
The treatment of fatigue generally involves a combination of acupuncture and herbal therapies. Where the balance of yin and yang is disturbed, moxibustion can be an effective addition to the plan. The therapy components are always individually tailored to the patient's physical and mental condition.
