Can Physical Therapy Help with Chronic Fatigue?

Posted On: June 3, 2025 by Robert Matijevich

Can Physical Therapy Help with Chronic Fatigue?

Constant loss of strength, endless feeling of tiredness, signs of overfatigue… There may also be problems with thinking and sleeping, dizziness, pain, and many other symptoms. More likely, this is chronic fatigue. It does not go away even after a good night’s sleep and long rest. Up to 3.3 million people in the United States suffer from ME/CFS. Do you want to find an effective way to help you regain your energy? Tired of living at low power? We present to you the best physical therapy exercises for tiredness!

Who Is More at Risk of Developing Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a severe disorder characterized by persistent fatigue and symptoms associated with cognitive, immune, and autonomic dysfunction. It keeps people from doing their usual activities. People lose their zest for life. And what seemed easy seems unbearably difficult. Sometimes it’s hard to get out of bed. This illness can be caused by genetic, immunological, psychological, or infectious factors.

This disease mainly affects young people between the ages of 20 and 40; the ratio of men to women is 1:4. However, this disease also affects men. As a rule, it occurs in young, single, skilled workers, and the main provoking factor is an infection. Chronic fatigue is accompanied by less pain and fewer muscle and immune symptoms in men, so women are a more vulnerable category in this case.

Classification of CFS

Doctors diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome after 6 months of clinical symptoms.
Doctors conditionally divide this common disease into three stages:

Prodromal Phase

The patient experiences symptoms of chronic fatigue, both physical and psychological. It is enough to change your lifestyle to get back to normal. Unfortunately, many do not act at this stage, and the condition naturally worsens.

Acute Phase

Unfortunately, incredible fatigue is accompanied by impaired thinking and concentration. It can be difficult for a person to even get out of bed. Panic attacks and depression often occur at this stage.

Recovery Phase

The patient tries to return to everyday life, feeling tired and broken. The main thing is to see a doctor on time. Then, you can return to an everyday life full of joy as soon as possible.

What Causes Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic Stress

Chronic stress is detrimental to health. Constant emotional stress leads to fatigue.

Underlying Medical Conditions

Anemia, thyroid problems, and diabetes lead to chronic fatigue. So be sure to seek treatment.

Bad Posture

Oddly enough, slouching or sitting incorrectly at a desk can also lead to this chronic fatigue syndrome. Excessive muscle tension forces your body to work harder than needed to stay upright.

Poor Sleep Quality

If you constantly don’t get enough sleep, your body becomes exhausted. It is no wonder that you feel low on energy all day long.

Poor Diet and Lack of Water

A lack of iron, B12, or other nutrients and a lack of water can cause you to feel sluggish. A diet high in processed foods can also reduce your energy levels. So eat right.

Lack of Physical Activity

Do you spend most of your time sitting at your computer and not getting much fresh air? It’s no surprise that this can lead to low energy levels. Physical therapy exercises can give you a boost of energy. The key is to do them regularly.

Mental Health Issues

Anxiety, depression, and other issues are incredibly draining. Improve your health by doing physical therapy.

Chronic Pain

Dealing with constant pain can be mentally and physically exhausting. Physical therapy can help relieve the pain.

Overtraining or Not Getting Enough Rest

Exercising too hard and putting too much mental stress on your body can naturally lead to chronic fatigue. Make sure to take breaks from your busy schedule.

Environmental Factors

Poor lighting, constant noise and other distractions, a messy workspace, many unresolved tasks, and a bad emotional environment are all factors that cause chronic fatigue. Take care of yourself.

Chronic Fatigue and Physical Rehabilitation

In this case, a consultation with a physiotherapist is essential! A specialist will help you improve your posture and strengthen the muscles that support the correct body position. In addition, physiotherapy will help relax your muscles and your psyche. Constant stress has a severe impact on health. causing chronic fatigue. Physiotherapeutic exercises will relieve stress and prepare your body for sleep if necessary. After a set of exercises, you will fall asleep easily, like a baby, and wake up rested and full of energy. Check exercise therapy for chronic fatigue. It can also relieve debilitating pain, normalize one’s state of mind, relax the body, and give one a boost of energy for the whole day!

Effectiveness of Physical Therapy for Chronic Fatigue Treatment 

Exercise therapy has a positive effect on fatigue in adults with CFS compared with usual care or passive treatment, according to the results of the study “Exercise therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome.” The results of another study also give hope. Patients with CFS may generally feel less tired after physical therapy. In addition, there is no evidence that physical therapy can worsen the results. A positive effect was observed in relation to sleep, physical function, and self-assessment of general health. Unfortunately, the researchers were unable to draw any conclusions regarding the results of pain, quality of life, anxiety, and depression. However, the results indicated physical therapy’s high effectiveness in treating chronic fatigue.

Conclusion

Constantly feeling tired can be depressing. With such an illness, it isn’t easy to do your job normally, devote yourself to your favorite things, and enjoy life. Don’t let this affliction ruin your life! Take the time to get physical therapy to help you rejuvenate and feel energized and strong. Don’t neglect taking care of yourself. And we are always here to help you get better. At Mossy Creek Rehab, we care about our patients, helping them live better, richer, and happier lives. Schedule a consultation!

Robert Matijevich - Physical Therapist

Robert Matijevich

Experienced physical therapist Robert Matijevich earned his B.S. in physical therapy from West Virginia University in 1983. He has more than 30 years of expertise,and is an expert in procedures for spinal and joint mobilization. He is certified in Kinesiotaping, positional vertigo maneuvers, and McKenzie-based spinal methods. Robert has been a co-owner of Mossy Creek Rehab since 2010, and his unshakable dedication has improved the wellbeing of the Jefferson County community for more than 25 years.

Location: Jefferson City

Areas of Expertise: orthopedics,sports medicine, spinal and joint mobilization