Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term, complex and debilitating illness with a wide range of symptoms. The most common are extreme tiredness and feeling generally unwell but people may also experience sleep problems, muscle or joint pain, a sore throat or sore glands, problems remembering or concentrating, flu-like symptoms, nausea and dizziness, and heart palpitations. The severity of symptoms can vary from day to day, or even within a day. Physical or mental exertion often makes symptoms worse.

There are consistently positive results from observational studies that acupuncture and moxibustion (the application of heat with a dried herb) can help, especially as there is evidence to support its effectiveness for some of the common symptoms – chronic pain, insomnia and depression. As conventional treatments often have limited effect acupuncture may be a worthwhile option, particularly as part of a combined approach.