Burnout and Adrenal Fatigue: Restoring Balance with TCM

What is Adrenal Fatigue and What Does it Have to do With Burnout?

In our fast-paced city, it's easy to find ourselves feeling chronically stressed, exhausted, and on the verge of burnout. Between our hectic work schedules, the holidays, and the little things that always somehow come up at the wrong time, the last thing we need to worry about should be our health. Burnout is a condition often referred to as "adrenal fatigue," and it is becoming increasingly common. But what exactly is adrenal fatigue, and how can we, at Garden Acupuncture, use Whole-Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine (WS-TCM) to help restore your balance?

Adrenal fatigue is closely tied to imbalances in the Kidney and Liver organ systems. According to TCM, Kidneys are considered the "root" of our vital life force, or Qi, while the Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. 

The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped, and located on the top of each Kidney. As part of the endocrine system, the adrenal glands produce hormones that regulate important bodily functions. These glands produce and release cortisol, aldosterone, DHEA, androgenic steroids, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine. These play a vital role in maintaining our balance by regulating metabolism, blood sugar, blood pressure, heart rate, and stress response. When we overwork ourselves and remain in a state of chronic stress, our adrenals work overtime too - releasing cortisol until they exhaust themselves.  

According to TCM, the Kidneys become depleted and the Liver becomes stagnant, leading to the array of symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue. Common signs include chronic fatigue, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, weakened immune function, hormonal imbalances, and mood disturbances such as anxiety and depression. In our terms, this reflects a Kidney Yin deficiency combined with Liver Qi stagnation. 

How Can Garden Acupuncture Treat Burnout?

Fortunately, we offer a holistic approach by addressing the root causes of adrenal fatigue and burnout. Some of the methods we use to treat adrenal fatigue include acupuncture, Chinese herbal formulas, dietary therapy, and lifestyle recommendations. 

Acupuncture: With over 40+ years of experience, we know where to strategically place needles to help regulate the flow of Qi, nourish the Kidneys and Liver, and reduce stress. Acupuncture for adrenal fatigue is a very effective method for treating burnout.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: We design specifically formulated herbal remedies to tonify the Kidneys, soothe the Liver, and restore overall balance.

Dietary Therapy: WS-TCM emphasizes the importance of a nourishing diet to support Kidney and Liver function. Black sesame seeds, walnuts, and kidney beans are particularly beneficial.

Lifestyle Adjustments: Getting enough rest, engaging in gentle exercise, and practicing stress-reduction techniques like meditation or Qigong can all go a long way in supporting adrenal health. Reducing stress is extremely important in treating adrenal fatigue. This sounds difficult, but there are many areas in our lives that we have control over, meaning that we can take steps to minimize what impacts us. 

By addressing the underlying imbalances through these ancient techniques, it's possible to not only alleviate the symptoms of adrenal fatigue, but to restore vitality and prevent future burnout. If you're feeling chronically fatigued, it may be time to explore the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

As a place to be treated with top-rated acupuncture in Brooklyn, our acupuncturists at Garden Acupuncture want to welcome you to your holistic healing journey. Click the “Book Now” button below to get started.