This syndrome is caused when the non-neural (sub-dermal, connective tissue-based) currents cease flowing to the adrenal gland.
The original trigger is usually a significant pathogenic infection, including Epstein-Barr, mononucleosis (called glandular fever in the UK), or any infection that activates a specific physiological response that blocks electrical flow to the adrenal gland as well as reducing blood flow into the torso via the arms and legs.
The treatment is very straightforward. An acupuncturist can insert needles at acupoints LI-11 and SP-9 or SP-10.
Needling should be minimal – only one side of the body gets needled at LI-11 and the other side of the body gets needles at SP-9 or SP-10. The needles should only stay in for about five minutes. The needle near the knees (SP-9 or SP-10) should go very deep – you are trying to stimulate the Kidney channel that runs near the bone, just below these two Spleen channel points.
After the needling, the acupuncturist should use a moxa burner (a small copper box with holes in it and a handle) for burning moxa. The moxa box should be applied to the area of UB-23, on the back, directly over the nerves that go to the kidneys/adrenal glands.
Place a thin piece of cloth over the UB-23 area to protect the skin from burning.
If available, Red Flower Oil can first be rubbed into the skin around the area of UB-23.
Once a week, perform the above treatment. The first few weeks, the patient might not feel any warmth coming from the moxa box. After several weeks, the patient might be surprised at how much warmth is coming from the box. When the patient cries out, “Ouch! That’s hot!” this response means that the nerve to the adrenal gland is now functional. No more treatments will be necessary.
During the first few weeks of treatment, the patient should eat mainly oatmeal. Small servings of oatmeal, eaten every hour or so, around the clock, or as often as the patient wants some. Fruit, coconut, or honey can be added to the oatmeal.
Oatmeal is the only food commonly eaten by humans that contains GLA, a protein that helps re-activate cells that have become dormant.
For self-treatment, you can find the location of the acupoints online. Do a search for Large Intestine 11 and Spleen 9 or Spleen 10. Apply acupressure (gentle, single-finger massage) to the areas of these two points. If you do not have access to a moxa burner, you can use the energy at the center of the palm of your hand to increase the warmth in the area of UB-23 (Urinary Bladder 23). One can also apply a hot-water bottle to the area of UB-23. Do not leave the hot water bottle on the area for more than five minutes. Do not use boiling water in the hot water bottle. Make sure that the hot water bottle is not hot enough to damage the skin. The nerves in the area are numb: a person can be damaged by the heat and won’t know it because of the numbness. Once a week treatment of the acupoints on the knee and elbow and the hot water bottle will allow the nerves to the kidney/adrenal gland to slowly come back to health. Please do not try to rush this process.
In my book, Hacking Chinese Medicine, you can read about how I learned of this treatment from the highly respected senior doctor of acupuncture from Singapore, Dr. Tin Lui.
I hypothesize that the shut down of current at the knees and elbows, with the subsequent inhibition of adrenal function, is a healthy, potentially life-saving physiological event.
In quadrupeds, injuries to the the paws/hooves are the most likely source of infection. If a blood infection arises, a shut down of current flow at the “ankles and elbows” will help prevent the infection from moving up into the torso. This blockage in the currents will also cause inhibition of the adrenal gland, which will cause the animal to be as if somewhat sedated. With adrenaline release inhibited, the animal will want to rest/sleep. In this way, the blood flow up into the torso will be minimized and the body will have some time to focus on building up the appropriate immune response. This physiological alteration in the face of a dangerous infection might buy the animal a few days, time enough to create the appropriate immune response. Once the immune response kicks in, the blockages should automatically turn off. The animal might also assist in this process by licking the areas with the electrical blockage – the “knees and elbows” – in order to help re-active adrenal function.
Humans don’t tend to stimulate blocked currents by licking or pecking at blocked areas. Also, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or you might call it failure of the protection response to automatically turn off when no longer needed, is more likely to occur if the infection occurs at the same time as the person is going through an emotionally challenging or stressful period. The body’s focus on stress might prevent the body from performing the “automatic” turning off of this pathogen protection response.