Tiredness is one of the most common presenting symptoms in western patient. Very often it is the main or only symptom of which a patient complains. Tiredness as a main presenting symptom is discussed in oriental medicine under the heading of “exhaustion” describes not only a symptom, but also its underlying cause of deficiency of the bodies qi.
However tiredness is not necessarily always caused by a deficiency, it can sometimes be caused by an excess condition. A very simple example is the kind of tiredness that is experienced during a cold or influenza, an invasion of exterior wind-cold or wind-heat, which are by definition an excess, in addition to the deficiency causes normally considered under “exhaustion.”
Although the term exhaustion by definition implies tiredness deriving from a deficiency, chronic tiredness can also result from an excess condition. There are basically three possibilities;
1. Deficiency
2. Combined condition of deficiency and excess
3. Excess
Whilst it is easy to understand how the first two conditions may result in tiredness. It basically does so by obstructing the proper movement, transformation and circulation of qi and blood. The excess condition that are most likely to result in chronic tiredness are liver-Qi stagnation, liver-Yang rising, liver-fire, liver-wind, phlegm and dampness.
The first four conditions all pertain to the liver and all hinge around the liver function of ensuring the smooth flow of Qi. The last two conditions, phlegm and dampness are very frequent Excess-causes of chronic tiredness. Although they both derive from a deficiency of spleen-qi which would cause tiredness in itself, phlegm and dampness also cause tiredness by themselves because they obstruct movement and transformation of qi, yang, blood, or yin. Knowing the difference between these four types of deficiency is extremely important to a successful treatment particularly with herbs. Differentiating these four types of deficiency is however, closely linked to identifying the organ involved, which is third step in diagnosing the cause of tiredness.
Tiredness, whether deficiency or excess from, can be treated with acupuncture and herbs.
For more detailed question, please contact Dr. Jeon of Jun’s Acupuncture clinic at 661-799-7369.