Have you been feeling unusually fatigued lately?
You might have heard someone tossing around the idea that your under-the-weather composure is actually a result of a condition called adrenal gland fatigue. Or you might have seen a naturopathic doctor who diagnosed you with the condition.
Now you are wondering what you can do to eliminate these troubling symptoms. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about adrenal gland fatigue and massages, as well as different ways to treat your fatigue.
What is adrenal gland fatigue?
Adrenal fatigue is a term that was first coined by a naturopath by the name of James Wilson in 1998. He used the term to describe a group of symptoms that arise when the adrenal glands are not functioning properly.
Your adrenal glands are responsible for releasing the hormones associated with stress, like cortisol and adrenaline. The theory is that under long durations of stress, your adrenal glands “burn out” and become fatigued.
Is adrenal gland fatigue a real condition?
There is some debate out there as to whether adrenal gland fatigue is a real condition. The truth is, there is no definitive science that has come out to support that adrenal gland fatigue exists. While the theory does make some amount of intuitive sense, it is currently not possible to test for adrenal gland fatigue.
Blood tests are not sensitive enough to detect a slight drop in adrenal production. However, this doesn’t mean that you should simply ignore your body. If you notice you are experiencing the symptoms associated with adrenal gland fatigue, it is essential to treat them.
How does massage affect adrenal gland fatigue?
There is a difference between a lack of scientific evidence and something being disproved. Just because science hasn’t come out supporting the existence of the condition, it doesn’t necessarily mean the condition doesn’t exist.
Many people who believe in the prevalence of adrenal gland fatigue see massages and reflexology as potential cures.
Again, while there isn’t scientific evidence supporting massages as a treatment for adrenal gland fatigue, there are plenty of anecdotal stories of regular massages and other reflexology helping those who suffer from chronic fatigue.
If it helps and isn’t harmful, keep doing it.
At the end of the day, there is a limit to how much science can tell us about our bodies. If you have been experiencing chronic fatigue and haven’t found any workable solutions, you should go for a massage. If it helps you feel better, even a little bit, go for it again. Integrate it into your routine if it works for you.
Massages are not like taking unregulated supplements—you aren’t going to overdose on them or risk your health. Even if the effects of a massage are purely placebo, it doesn’t really matter if it is helping to relieve your symptoms.
How often should I get a massage?
If you find that getting a massage helps reduce your fatigue symptoms, you might want to integrate them into your everyday life.
The amount of massages you want to get depends on how helpful you find them. Anywhere from twice a month to daily can be good. Since the research is out about this, you’ll really want to listen to your body to get the maximum benefits.
What other ways can I treat adrenal gland fatigue?
If you are experiencing the symptoms of adrenal gland fatigue, you might want to go to a mainstream doctor and get tested because many diseases share similar symptoms. Some treatments that have been shown to help with chronic fatigue include cognitive behavior therapy and graded exercise therapy.
Additionally, you want to make sure you are covering all your bases when it comes to recharging yourself. You should be getting a full 8 hours of sleep each night and making sure it is high-quality sleep. You will want to reduce alcohol and caffeine to ensure these drugs aren’t negatively impacting your sleep. Additionally, you should try to integrate exercise into your routine.
Make sure you are fueling your body properly. Having a small meal every 3 to 4 hours can be a better option than eating fewer big meals, especially if you notice you feel tired after large meals. Weight loss can also contribute to feeling less fatigued.
A combination of eating healthy and getting regular exercise can result in weight loss, which might make all the difference in making sure that you maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
Treat the root cause.
If you have been diagnosed with adrenal gland fatigue, chances are that you have experienced an extensive amount of stress in your life. You want to make sure to treat the root cause of that stress because if you have not, you will continue to feel fatigued.
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