Can Integrative Medicine Help With My Fatigue?

If you feel tired and run down every day, no matter how much sleep you get, you may have chronic fatigue syndrome, or myalgic encephalomyelitis. 

Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined as feeling exhausted even after getting plenty of sleep and rest for over six months. While many people live with diagnosed chronic fatigue syndrome, it’s probably even more widespread than we know because not enough awareness surrounds the condition. 

When you have chronic fatigue syndrome, you can be so tired that it feels impossible to complete daily tasks or even get out of bed in the morning. Other symptoms, such as irritability, dizziness, and muscle and joint pain, can also accompany this condition. 

Unfortunately, not many effective treatments exist for chronic fatigue syndrome, and most of them focus on addressing the fatigue rather than what might be triggering the condition in the first place. 

So, in this month’s blog, Dr. Anita Petruzzelli at BodyLogicMD in Glastonbury, Connecticut, wants to share how our approaches to chronic fatigue syndrome using integrative medicine have something different to offer. 

Understanding integrative medicine

Integrative medicine is a branch of health care that uses a variety of holistic approaches to medical treatment. It focuses on the patient as a whole person, combining traditional Western medicine techniques and alternative therapies to provide care that’s both safe and effective. 

The main goal of this practice is to take your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health into account when providing and creating treatment plans. It also seeks to first understand what’s causing your health problems rather than focusing only on relieving your symptoms. 

An integrative medicine provider such as Dr. Petruzzelli doesn’t seek to replace your primary physician but works alongside your health care team to ensure the care you’re getting takes every area of your life, environment, and health into account when you get medical treatment. 

Integrative medicine for chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome can lead to mental health issues, sleep disorders, and chronic pain. Treatment often includes medications to address the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome, such as antidepressants, sleep apnea machines, and pain medications. 

While these options can be helpful, they don't address the chronic fatigue itself. At BodyLogicMD, Dr. Petruzzelli considers your lifestyle habits and health history to discover what could be contributing to your chronic fatigue. 

By addressing nutrient deficiencies, lack of regular exercise, and poor sleep habits, your overall physical health should improve, your body should function at optimal levels, and you should feel less fatigued. 

Introducing complementary medicine therapies such as meditation, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and psychotherapy can address other aspects of your whole-body health. 

Ready to say goodbye to your chronic fatigue? Schedule an appointment to get started with an integrative medicine approach by contacting BodyLogicMD today.