Overview

Have you recently received a chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis? Or have you been unsuccessfully trying to manage your chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms for quite some time and are ready to get back to feeling better? A functional approach to managing your symptoms with us might be just what you need for overall wellness. Here's what you should know about the functional therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome.

What is Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is a chronic illness that affects multiple organs and systems in the body. It may also be known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or ME/CFS. Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome sometimes find ordinary tasks such as getting out of bed or showering to be a challenge. Common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include:

• extreme fatigue that does not dissipate even after resting
• dizziness
• trouble concentrating
• problems with sleep
• muscle aches
• joint swelling
• post-exertional malaise (PEM), where regular symptoms of ME/CFS get worse after you exert yourself

Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome differ from one patient to the next. According to research, women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.

What Are the Benefits of Functional Approaches to Managing Chronic Fatigue?

There are multiple benefits to undergoing a functional approach to chronic fatigue syndrome. As we've already mentioned, symptoms of ME/CFS differ from one patient to the next, so a highly individualized approach to managing symptoms works best. The following forms of functional medicine have shown to increase wellness in patients with ME/CFS:

• acupuncture helps restore energy flow through the body's meridians and an effective form of pain management
• massage therapy
• mindfulness meditation
• herbal supplements
• homeopathy
• restorative yoga
• cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)

What to Expect During a Functional Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Session

If you've never had a functional session to manage your symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, you might be wondering what to expect. A certified practitioner at Chris Strickland will begin by asking you a comprehensive set of questions to determine your current health, including the severity of your symptoms and fatigue. You may be required to take lab or imaging tests to help root out other illnesses that may be causing your symptoms.

From there, your doctor will prescribe one or several concurrent therapies to manage different symptoms simultaneously. These can include acupuncture, massages, yoga, and mindfulness meditation sessions, as well as CBT appointments to improve your mental and emotional well-being.

Effective ME/CFS symptom management requires an accurate evaluation and prompt care using safe, effective functional techniques.

For more information about functional therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome, contact Chris Strickland at (706) 769-9779.