30 December, 2025
Many people describe feeling constantly tired, overwhelmed, and slow to recover—even after rest. This experience is often referred to as adrenal fatigue, a term commonly used to describe the effects of prolonged stress on the body’s energy, resilience, and ability to cope.
While adrenal fatigue is not a formal Western medical diagnosis, it reflects a very real pattern of exhaustion commonly seen in modern life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long recognised these patterns of depletion, known as taxation and internal imbalance, and offers a gentle, holistic approach to supporting recovery.
Rather than focusing on a single organ or hormone, TCM looks at how stress, lifestyle, emotional load, sleep, digestion, and long-term demands interact within the whole system.
Common Presentations of Adrenal Fatigue
Adrenal fatigue is often associated with chronic stress, inadequate rest, emotional strain, poor sleep, long working hours, or ongoing health challenges. Over time, these demands may deplete the body’s reserves.
Common presentations may include:
Persistent fatigue or exhaustion
Weakness, light-headedness, or dizziness
Difficulty waking or feeling unrefreshed
Brain fog or reduced concentration
Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling or staying asleep)
Low stress tolerance or feeling easily overwhelmed
Anxiety, low mood, or emotional flatness
Weakened immunity or frequent illness
Strong sugar and/or salt cravings
Digestive weakness, bloating, or heaviness
Reduced libido or motivation
These symptoms often fluctuate and may worsen during periods of stress or overexertion.
TCM practitioners in Moonee Ponds commonly see these stress-related patterns in busy professionals, parents, and shift workers.
How Traditional Chinese Medicine Views Adrenal Fatigue
In TCM, patterns commonly associated with adrenal fatigue involve the Kidney system, which is considered the foundation of vitality.
Kidney Essence (Jing) is viewed as our core life force, governing growth, reproduction, energy reserves, resilience, and ageing. This system works closely with:
The Spleen – digestion, nutrient absorption, and daily energy production
The Heart – mental clarity, emotional regulation, and sleep
The Liver – stress response,adaptabilty, and the smooth flow of Qi
When stress is prolonged and recovery is insufficient, these systems can fall out of balance, leading to the symptoms commonly labelled as adrenal fatigue.
Common TCM Patterns Seen in Adrenal Fatigue
Each person presents differently, but commonly observed patterns may include:
Kidney Qi deficiency and/or Kidney Yang deficiency
Heart–Kidney disharmony (often linked with poor sleep or anxiety)
Spleen Qi deficiency
Liver Qi stagnation arising from deficiency
Shen disturbance (restlessness of the mind and nervous system)
TCM treatment is guided by the underlying pattern or combination of patterns, rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
How Acupuncture and TCM May Support Recovery
Acupuncture and TCM aim to restore balance and conserve energy, rather than push the body to do more.
Treatment may support recovery by:
Regulating the Stress Response
When patterns such as Liver Qi stagnation, Heart–Kidney disharmony, or Shen disturbance are present, treatment focuses on calming the nervous system, improving Qi circulation, and settling the mind.
Supporting Long-Term Vitality
When Kidney Qi, Kidney Yang, or Kidney Essence (Jing) is depleted, treatment aims to nourish and stabilise the Kidney system—supporting resilience, recovery, and sustainable energy without over-stimulation.
Improving Sleep and Emotional Regulation
Addressing Heart–Kidney disharmony and Shen disturbance may help anchor the mind, support deeper sleep, and reduce mental and emotional restlessness.
Encouraging Efficient Energy Use
When fatigue is driven by deficiency and compounded by stress, treatment (alongside lifestyle education) focuses on optimising how energy is used and circulated—rather than depleting already limited reserves.
Supporting Digestion and Daily Energy Production
When Spleen Qi deficiency contributes to fatigue, treatment aims to improve digestive strength, nutrient absorption, and reduce bloating or heaviness.
Lifestyle Support Aligned with TCM Principles
TCM treatment is most effective when supported by gentle, sustainable lifestyle changes:
Prioritise regular sleep and adequate rest
Eat warm, nourishing, easy-to-digest meals
Reduce late nights and over-stimulation
Choose gentle movement over intense exercise
Build short pauses and moments of stillness into your day
Learn to pace activity and recovery rather than pushing through fatigue
These changes help protect energy reserves while the body rebuilds.
A Gentle, Individualised Approach to Fatigue and Burnout
If fatigue, stress, or burnout has become a regular part of your life, TCM may offer a supportive and individualised approach. At our Moonee Ponds acupuncture clinic, treatment is individualised and focused on restoring balance rather than pushing the body through fatigue. By addressing underlying imbalances, people often notice improvements not only in energy, but also in sleep, digestion, mood, and overall wellbeing.
If this resonates with your experience, you are welcome to explore whether acupuncture and TCM treatments may support your recovery. Care is gentle, tailored to your individual presentation, and guided by careful listening to your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is adrenal fatigue a real medical diagnosis?
Adrenal fatigue is not recognised as a formal Western medical diagnosis. However, it is commonly used to describe a pattern of chronic stress, fatigue, and reduced resilience that many people experience. Traditional Chinese Medicine recognises these patterns as real and treatable imbalances within the body.
How does acupuncture help with adrenal fatigue?
Acupuncture may support adrenal fatigue by calming the nervous system, improving sleep quality, supporting digestion, and helping the body regulate stress more effectively. Treatment is tailored to the individual rather than based on a single diagnosis.
What does TCM say causes adrenal fatigue?
From a TCM perspective, adrenal fatigue often involves depletion of the Kidney system, along with imbalances in the Spleen, Heart, and Liver. These systems govern energy reserves, stress response, digestion, sleep, and emotional regulation.
Can acupuncture help with burnout and chronic stress?
Yes, acupuncture is commonly used to support people experiencing burnout and chronic stress. By addressing underlying patterns of imbalance, treatment aims to improve resilience, recovery, and overall wellbeing rather than simply managing symptoms.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Response varies between individuals and depends on factors such as stress load, sleep, lifestyle, and duration of symptoms. Many people notice gradual improvements in sleep, energy, or stress tolerance over a course of treatments.
Can acupuncture help with stress and burnout in Melbourne’s north-west?
Acupuncture is commonly used to support nervous system regulation, sleep, digestion, and stress resilience. Many people across Melbourne’s north-west seek TCM care when fatigue or burnout becomes ongoing.
Is acupuncture suitable if I’ve tried other approaches without success?
TCM takes a whole-system approach and may be helpful for people who feel their symptoms don’t fit neatly into a single diagnosis. Treatment is gentle, individualised, and guided by your unique presentation.
Do I need a referral to see an acupuncturist in Moonee Ponds?
No referral is required to see a registered acupuncturist. You can book directly for care in Moonee Ponds.
Appointments available in Moonee Ponds or online.
About the Author
Dr Chee Yeoh - Acupuncturist & Chinese Medicine Doctor
Dr Chee is a talented and caring Acupuncturist and Chinese Medicine practitioner. Understanding that health is more than just needles, she will work with you to transfer your lifestyle according to your needs and Qi patterns. She sees chronic illness, fertility & pregnancy, aches & pains, digestive issues and mental health complaints.
