Season related fatigue
forum post
I have noted that in late summer many of my patients suffer from fatigue. What is the TCM theory relating to season changes and what therapy would most regain energy?
"draiello" has published 1 other forum post
Below are the most recent, view all here.
Comments / Discussions:
comment by "archived-user"
on Aug 2010
for late summer, the coming season will be fall, in TCM fall belong the lung, and wheather is cold and dry, so people should tonify the lung yin energy or promote the blood circle energy, poeple should eat more sour food and less spicy food. for tonify lung yin energy the chinese medicine is " chuan bei, bai he, sha shen, xi yang shen etc., and for promote blood circle energy people should sleep early and wake up early and do morning exercise. maybe this can help fatigue people.
comment by "ChadD" (acupuncturist)
on Aug 2010
Most seasonal related health issues are related to one of two things from a Chinese perspective (and can be both). First, is that people who have underlying patterns, let's say heat signs as an example will not do well during the season that exhibits that pattern - in this example summer - particularly if it extreme. So the first general reason is when the season (or even preceding season) matches their underlying pattern. Second, when the person has not "respected" the preceding season they may be more likely to have problems in the coming season - sort of like starting off on the wrong foot.
The change of seasons generally is attributed to the earth element and the environmental factor of dampness. Dampness is a rampant problem in western culture particularly and arises from generally poor diets, eating at strange hours, too much stress, etc.
To give some information specific to your question I feel you are seeing this perhaps in part to people not respecting the summer. In past times and in more moderate cultures people changed their diets and behaviors to match the seasons. In modern western culture every day is the same for many people regardless of what is happening outside or what season it is. Certainly the summer heat can greatly weaken people (see my recent article on the heart and summerheat). And in a somewhat "overheated" culture not respecting the summer and adapting diet and lifestyle accordingly will cause problems either during the season or as we prepare to start storing our energy for the winter months.
Treatment wise - acupuncture is often recommended for people with no known (or mild) health issues around the change of each season. This to help the body adjust from any deviations that started in the preceding season and to prepare for anything coming up in the new one. As we get into the fall moxibustion is also very appropriate for many patterns as it helps build the internal energy and maintain the immune system.
comment by "anon71867"
on Aug 2013
Balancing the Spleen meridian and the relationship between spleen and Triple Warmer can help support the body in adjusting to season changes.
1. Make sure the spleen source point, located before the "bunyon bone" on the edge of each big toe closest to the heel, is open. To open the polarity of this point: flip the palm back and forth over the point; spin a low gauss magnet over the point; or shine a flashlight on the point.
2. Do the Spleen hug to balance Triple Warmer and Spleen meridians: Bring the right palm to the left side of the waist, connecting with Spleen and the Spleen meridian. Wrap the left hand around to hold the right elbow, connecting with the Triple Warmer Meridian. Relax the shoulders and breathe. This will bring these two energies into balance.
3. Flush and then trace the spleen meridian: First trace it backwards to help release stuck energy. Then trace it forwards three times.
4. Flush Triple Warmer - Trace it backwards so that it will release the excess energy it grabs when the body is stressed. The first place Triple Warmer goes for additional energy is Spleen. When the excess energy is released, spleen naturally returns to balance.
5. Flush and trace the meridians for the affected season - for Fall that would be lung and Large Intestine.
6. Work all the neurolymphatic reflex points (NLR), especially those for the organs associated with the affected element. The NLR points for large intestine are along the outside of the leg from the hip to the knee on both sides. The NLR points for lung are beween the ribs on the chest.
top Login/Comment
All Content 1999-2024
Chad J. Dupuis / Yin Yang House
Our Policies and Privacy Guidelines
Our Affiliated Clinics