Alternative therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome
by Sylvia Sensiper
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent and severe fatigue, and is often associated with difficulty sleeping and concentrating, sore throat, depression, and aching muscles and joints.
In the 1980s, CFS was often dismissed as the "yuppie flu," and people who complained of constant fatigue were told that it was all in their heads or were misdiagnosed with related problems.
The diagnosis remains elusive today. While diagnostic criteria for CFS were developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1994, the cause or causes of CFS are still not clear. People with CFS often have to do their own research and consult several medical experts before a diagnosis can be made.
"I had to work hard to find a doctor who actually understood the illness and believed me," said Marie K. "I would bring all my books and magazine articles with me as I went from expert to expert trying to find help."
When it's that difficult to get a diagnosis, it may be even harder to ask a medical practitioner about alternative or complementary forms of treatment. Although there are no specific conventional treatments for CFS, doctors tend to prescribe low doses of antidepressants, anti-inflammatory agents, antivirals, and immunologically active drugs, such as isoprinosine.
Alternatives to medication
If taking medication for a prolonged period is troublesome to you, or you are simply looking for a way to supplement conventional treatment with some complementary treatment, there are a number of therapies you can try. Because there is no cure at this time, many people with CFS find that the best treatment is more a matter of learning to cope with and alleviate the symptoms.
Work with your medical practitioner to develop a program, but understand that the criteria for feeling better are all subjective, so only you can be the best judge of what's working and what's not.
Body work
Chiropractic care and osteopathy are hands-on, manipulative techniques that have provided relief to many people with CFS. Physical therapy may be helpful as well.
Chiropracty
Chiropracty works on the theory that vitality and good health are due to an unobstructed flow of nerve impulses from the brain through the spinal nerves and throughout the rest of the body. It is thought that when misalignments or "subluxations" occur, such as joint disfunctions, joint adhesions or joint fixations, there is an interference with the normal transmission of nerve impulses. If this continues over a long period of time, there is impaired capability, often accompanied by pain. A chiropractor uses "adjustments"—quick , forceful movements—to change the range of joint movement back to normal.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is different from chiropractic manipulation, because it focuses on the entire musculoskeletal system rather than just the spine. Osteopathic treatment consists of very gentle and subtle manipulations of the body and sometimes includes cranial work with the bones and membrane attachments in the head.
Physical therapy
You might also want to obtain a recommendation from your doctor and consult a physical therapist. Long thought of as a rehabilitation science, physical therapy is now used to treat a wide range of conditions, from car accidents to injuries caused by overstrenuous exercise. CFS fits into the category of conditions that might respond to physical therapy. A physical therapist will probably prescribe the use of specific functional training and therapeutic exercise, as well as the application of heat, cold, ultrasound and/or electrical stimulation.
Exercise
Most people with CFS find that exercise is essential to their overall well-being. Lack of movement can create a deterioration of muscles and a diminished flow of blood to the organs and tissues. A sustained, low-impact exercise program can help reduce symptoms and allow you to face the daily challenges of living with CFS.
Acupuncture/traditional Chinese medicine
Anecdotal evidence points to good results with acupuncture, an ancient Chinese method for treating pain. The treatment, which involves inserting microthin needles into acupuncture points in the body, can often provide immediate relief. Weekly treatments over a two- to three-month period seem to yield the best results.
Another acupuncture technique, called "cupping," uses small glass jars to draw additional blood to a particular area and is thought to be helpful for the treatment of muscle tension. People with CFS have also found help in managing their condition with the use of Chinese herbs or the practice of tai chi and qi gong, two systems of movement that help harmonize the body's energy.
Natural healing systems and diet
A "natural healing system" is any regimen that reinforces the body's customary healing abilities without relying on pharmaceuticals. Macrobiotic diets, herbal remedies, yoga, and Bach flower remedies are among several treatments that have been used by people with CFS to promote good health and encourage the body to heal itself.
Some recommend a diet that excludes refined foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, saturated fats, dairy products, and gluten-containing grains. Sound advice remains to eat more fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains (non-gluten), protein, and essential fatty acids (found in nuts, seeds, and cold-water fish). It's further recommended that you avoid artificial chemicals and preservatives, and eat spicy foods and red meat in moderation. Note, however, that if you eliminate dairy products from your diet you should replace them with another source of calcium.
Mental health
CFS is a condition that can leave you feeling frustrated, anxious, and depressed. Over time you may lose a great deal of your energy and may have to make adjustments to your social life. This can cause friends and loved ones to pull away, creating intensified feelings of loss.
It's a good idea to seek professional help for mental health. Some people with CFS have found psychologic or spiritual counseling to be helpful and have come to deal with their illness and resolve other troublesome issues in their lives. Others find that even the smallest of life's joys can bring immense pleasure. Laughing, a bubble bath, or listening to music you enjoy can all help you get through moments of despair.
Changes at work
Work-life changes can also be extremely difficult. Some people rely on their occupation for self-definition, so work provides a real sense of purpose. When that work is impaired in some way, feelings of low self-worth may appear. Perhaps you can continue at your present job with some schedule changes or reduced hours, or maybe you can work at home. Or you might want to investigate vocational therapy to re-train in a position that will be less emotionally and physically taxing.
Jean S. of Boston had been a second-grade teacher for many years, but after a year-long bout with CFS left her unable to withstand the rigors of 15 rambunctious second graders, she asked her school to help her become certified as a reading specialist. After the training, she was given a new position as the school's reading consultant and is now able to sit with students during the day. She has moved her "classroom" to the first floor so she doesn't have to climb stairs and she maintains a more flexible schedule.
"I'm happy on two counts—I can continue to work and feel useful and I accomplished something that I'd wanted to do for a long time," she says. "I would have never made the time to go back and get my certification in reading—so in some ways, chronic fatigue has been a positive thing!"
Social support
One of the most important things to remember if you are diagnosed with CFS is that you're not alone. Talking with others who are learning to cope with the effects of constant fatigue can be very helpful. Although the medical community is still far from understanding the causes of CFS, people with CFS have become their own best advocates.
Resources
American Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome c/o Harborview Medical Center 325 Ninth Avenue Box 359780 Seattle, WA 98104 (206)521-1932 http://www.aacfs.org
Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Insights from Practitioners and Patients, by Mari Skelly, Andrea Helm, and Paul Brown. Hunter House, 1999.
From Fatigued to Fantastic, by Jacob Teitelbaum. Avery Publishing Group, 1996
Last reviewed August 2000 by Medical Review Board
