Chronic fatigue is also known as Myalgic Encephalitis (ME) and had first been identified as a unique medical condition as far back as the 1930’s. The type of fatigue and tiredness experienced by these patients is unrelenting and no matter how much they sleep they get, they are still tired. In fact, even though during the day they are too exhausted to function normally, at night they suffer insomnia.
Western medicine can offer no effective treatment for this condition.
Research in the past has already shown that acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue is an effective treatment and now new research has demonstrated that moxibustion can also improve the energy levels of chronic fatigue sufferers.
The researchers performed moxibustion on two acupuncture points on the naval that have been traditionally used to strengthen and tonify the body.
The research parameters included measuring the
- Reactive oxygen species
- Malondialdehyde (MDA)
- Total antioxidant capacity
- Catalase activity
- Superoxide dismutase levels
- Glutathione peroxidase readings
- Gluthione reductase content
The results concluded that moxibustion provided an anti-fatigue effect. From a modern scientific perspective, moxibustion has an anti oxidant effect on the body and causes stem cell proliferation as well as anti inflammatory benefits. Most patients receiving moxibustion comment how soothing and relaxing it feels.
