From a Western medical perspective, M.E. is a relatively 'new' disease. It is not clear what the causative agent might be; indeed there is no general agreement that it is a separate disease at all. Current research shows that M.E. may be caused by a virus and attention is directly at the Epstein-Barr virus that is responsible for glandular fever.

The symptoms of M.E. appear either gradually and insidiously without an apparent infection, or after an acute infection.

After an acute infection the patient will make an apparent recovery from the initial symptoms however he or she will start to feel unwell again later on and various symptoms persist there after. The main symptoms of M.E. are pronounced muscle fatigue and ache, poor memory and concentration, exhaustion and a persisting, intermittent, generally flu-like feeling.

In Chinese medicine this relates to a 'latent pathogenic factor'. A pathogen is something that can cause disease or an imbalance in the body. During the initial invasion of a pathogen (a virus or something similar) the body's immune system will try and overcome the pathogen. If the patient is strong and in good health then the pathogen will be 'thrown off' and normal health will be restored. In the case of M.E. sufferers their energy (and immune system) is weakened and they are unable to completely get rid of the pathogen, it then remains in the body resulting in 'low-level symptoms' that gradually weaken the body further. Thus, there is a vicious circle. The body is weakened (perhaps due to long periods of overworking/ studying/ excessive physical exercise), and is unable to completely throw off the pathogen, it then remains in the body and further weakens the body's defences.

In this case acupuncture treatment is aimed at expelling the pathogen and strengthening the body.

Sometimes M.E. develops when there is no apparent initial infection. This can be explained within the theory of Chinese medicine. When we are attacked by a pathogen (virus, bacteria, etc.) the body's energy (qi) is used to fight off the attack. This battle leads to the symptoms of fever, alternating chills & fever, achy muscles, swollen glands, shivering, etc. However, if the body's energy is very weak prior to the attack then there will be no initial symptoms and the pathogen will enter deep into the body where it may lie dormant for several months.

Latent pathogens often generate heat in the body and this heat consumes the body fluids. This is similar to the hot sun in a desert drying up the earth and then cracks appearing. The heat must be restrain as it can be very damaging.

Acupuncture aims to restore the body's energetic. Points are selected according to the prevailing symptoms. If there are symptoms of heat, then points are used which help regulate this heat. If the body's energy is very depleted then it is important to strengthen. If the latent pathogen is moving from the interior to the exterior then it is important to promote this movement and help the body expel it. Incorrect treatment is to drive the pathogen back into the body. When the pathogen surfaces the symptoms are acute and there will be a worsening before getting better. Antibiotics often cause pathogens to go deeper into the body. This is not a critique of antibiotics, but an objective analysis of the mode of action as compared with Chinese medicine. There are times when antibiotics are essential, however they are often used routinely and unnecessarily.

Traditional Chinese Acupuncture can offer a lot in the management and treatment of this illness.