Acupuncture for Invisible Illnesses: A Staged Approach
Updated: Oct 22
Living with an invisible illness? Sydney acupuncturist Gavin Martin-Rentz explains the staged approach he uses in Bondi Junction and why it's so often missed.
Invisible illnesses are conditions a person can be battling with, but from the outside someone wouldn't be able to tell. Sometimes it's not just friends and family who can't see it, but medically these conditions can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.
An invisible illness is a long-term condition with real symptoms but few outward signs, which is why it's so often missed or dismissed. Some examples of invisible illnesses include (but are not limited to):
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)
Post-viral syndrome
Migraines (headache and/or vestibular types)
Autoimmune conditions
Usually these conditions affect multiple bodily systems, so they can be complex to manage. Many people struggle to find things that help in a lasting way and resign themselves to simply managing their condition and getting by. Below I'll explain why they're so often missed, the 4-5 stage model I use and what to expect.
Why are invisible illnesses so often missed?
There's usually no single test, scan or blood result that confirms them, so people can wait years for an answer. A 2010 survey of 800 people with fibromyalgia across eight countries, published in BMC Health Services Research by Petersel and colleagues, found it took an average of 2.3 years and 3.7 different physicians to reach a diagnosis. That's one condition, but it matches what I hear from people with chronic fatigue, post-viral illness and autoimmune symptoms.
Chronic pain is a good example of how common these conditions are. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that about 1 in 5 Australians aged 45 and over live with persistent, ongoing pain, as summarised by Painaustralia.
In my experience, being told "your tests are normal" while you still feel unwell is one of the hardest parts. Your symptoms are real, and they deserve a plan.
What is the 4-5 stage model for invisible illnesses?
It's a way of mapping where a person is and what milestones we're looking for, so we know that what we're doing is working. At Acupuncture Grove in Bondi Junction we use it to work with complex chronic invisible illnesses:
Stage 1: Immune system. Settling the body's barrier to the outside world.
Stage 2: Gut microbiome. Supporting digestion and gut health.
Stage 3: Nervous system and cortisol. Calming an over-wound-up stress response so the body can rest and recover.
Stage 4: Blood circulation. Restoring blood flow to chronically tight tissue.
Stage 5: Supplementation (if needed). Filling any remaining gaps with herbs or nutrients.
This framework helps us to know when to use what type of acupuncture techniques and/or which types of formulas to take. We have milestones and signs to know when to graduate to working on the next stage, as well as different lifestyle modifications and self-treatments to use at different times.
Why does the order of treatment matter?
If the treatments are in the wrong order, the work done in the later stages can be undone. It's like a run down old house with broken windows and a leaky roof. If you start on the carpets and paint before you fix the windows and roof, the weather will keep damaging your hard work and you'll never get anywhere.
If we take the best acupuncture points or herbs at the wrong time, it's still the wrong treatment. Knowing what to do, when to do it, why you should and shouldn't do things and how to know you're progressing is a huge piece of the puzzle. Invisible illnesses are not static, so they need an adaptive framework. I go through how this looks for two of the most common in acupuncture for fibromyalgia and acupuncture for CFS and ME.
What does the research say?
It depends on the condition, and for most complex chronic conditions the research is still limited. For fibromyalgia, a Cochrane review found low to moderate evidence that acupuncture improves pain and stiffness. For chronic fatigue syndrome, reviews are generally positive but low in quality. For migraines, the evidence is stronger. I summarise each in acupuncture for fibromyalgia: the research, the CFS and ME post and acupuncture for migraines: what the research shows.
That's what the research reports. In the clinic, our goal is long term improvement, and we take a more holistic and individualised approach than could be replicated in a study. Everyone's condition is different, so the best way to find out whether acupuncture can help yours is to try it and see how you respond.
How does acupuncture help with invisible illnesses?
Your practitioner's job is to shine a light on your invisible illness and guide you through those stages at the right time and pace for you. That means combining acupuncture with Chinese herbal medicine and lifestyle changes where appropriate. Pacing and rest matter too, which I cover in pain, stress and fatigue.
I usually suggest a block of at least 6 sessions to see how you respond, then plan from there. Often people notice improvements within the first few sessions, but for chronic conditions it's important to allow the cumulative effects to build over a series, and these conditions can take months of ongoing treatment to get the most benefit. Read more on how long acupuncture takes to work and how often to come.
FAQs: Acupuncture for Invisible Illnesses
Q: What is an invisible illness?
A: An invisible illness is a condition a person can be battling with, but from the outside someone wouldn't be able to tell. Examples include fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome or ME, post-viral syndrome, migraines, autoimmune conditions and chronic pain.
Q: Why are invisible illnesses so hard to diagnose?
A: There's usually no single test, scan or blood result that confirms them, and they affect multiple bodily systems at once. As a result, they can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years.
Q: Can acupuncture help invisible illnesses?
A: The evidence varies by condition and is limited for many of them. In the clinic I use acupuncture as part of a staged approach tailored to the individual. Everyone's condition is different, so the best way to find out whether acupuncture can help yours is to try it and see how you respond.
Q: What is the 4-5 stage model?
A: It's the framework I use to map where a person is: immune system, gut microbiome, nervous system and cortisol, blood circulation, and supplementation if needed. It tells us what to treat first and what milestones to look for before moving on.
Q: How many acupuncture sessions are needed for an invisible illness?
A: I usually suggest a block of at least 6 sessions to see how you respond, then plan from there. Chronic conditions can take months of ongoing treatment to get the most benefit, though there should be signs of improvement within the early treatments.
Ready to try acupuncture for an invisible illness?
If you're interested in trying acupuncture and Chinese medicine for your invisible illness, you're welcome to come and see me. I'll work out where you are and put together a staged plan with you.
If you'd like to try acupuncture for complex chronic conditions in Sydney's eastern suburbs, consider Acupuncture Grove in Bondi Junction. You can book online here or reach out with any questions here.
Also read:
Gavin Martin-Rentz is an AHPRA-registered acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner at Acupuncture Grove, Bondi Junction, Sydney, with over 10 years in practice.
Acupuncture Grove services Bondi Junction, Bondi Beach, Coogee, Clovelly, Bronte, Waverley, Randwick, Maroubra, Double Bay, Watsons Bay, Vaucluse and surrounding Sydney suburbs.
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