Fatigue and Lack of Energy 

According to a 2018 survey by the National Safety Council (NSC), two-thirds of the US labour force experiences workplace fatigue. This means that almost 107 million US workers are affected by occupational fatigue. According to an article about workplace fatigue by the Independent each Briton spends 7.5 years of their life feeling tired. Another article provided by SHP reckons that 81% of the UK’s workforce feels as if they are not getting enough sleep.

An article about fatigue, according to the NHS, states that: “1 in 3 people suffer from lack of sleep”. They make a point by saying that, “Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, coronary heart disease and diabetes – and it shortens your life expectancy.”

We are pleased to report that there is hope and yes, chiropractic care can help improve your energy levels as well as improving the quantity and quality of sleep you get each night. There is hope for the insomniacs (a person suffering from insomnia, who is regularly unable to sleep).

What causes Fatigue and Lack of Energy?

According to healthline.com there are three main causes of fatigue:

• lifestyle factors
• physical health conditions
• mental health issues

Lifestyle Factors Contributing to Fatigue & Lack of Energy

Lifestyle factors refer to things we choose to do in our day-to-day lives that may contribute to lack of energy. This includes things we do, are regularly exposed to, life events, things that happen to us, habits, and diet; amongst other things. Let us look at some of the most common contributing lifestyle factors:

• Physical activity levels
• Sleep patterns
• Accidents
• Traumas
• Use of medication
• Excessive caffeine and stimulants
• Fluctuations in weight
• Environmental stress
• Living conditions
• Dietary habits
• Workplace environment
• Life events (grief, mourning, babies, weddings, etc)
• Stress levels
• Financial worries
• Grief
• Drugs and alcoholism

Physical Health Conditions Causing Fatigue and Low Energy Levels

Medical and physical health conditions that cause low energy levels and chronic fatigue as identified by the NHS:

• Anaemia
• Sleep apnoea
• Underactive thyroid
• Coeliac disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Diabetes
• Glandular fever
• Depression
• Restless syndrome
• Anxiety

Mental Health Conditions Contributing to Low Physical Energy and Fatigue

According to mentalhealth.org.uk ,“1 in 6 people in the past week experienced a common mental health problem. Anxiety and depression are the most common problems, with around 1 in 10 people affected at any one time.”

Some of the mental health issues that may cause or contribute to fatigue and low energy levels are:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAS)

How Chiropractic Care Reduces Fatigue and Improves Energy Levels

The most well-known issues chiropractic care is known to help clients with are back pain, sciatica, neck pain and headaches. There are many other areas where chiropractors can positively influence their client’s health because chiropractic works on the nervous system and muscular-skeletal system (neuro-muscular-skeletal).

Chiropractic care improves neuro-muscular-skeletal imbalances (NMSI). Experienced chiropractors deliver safe and effective chiropractic care by first identifying specific imbalances and then addressing those imbalances by adjusting spinal vertebrae and other joints in the body using their hands. It promotes improved nerve flow, mobility, range of motion, balance and coordination and energy levels resulting in better sleep, performance, and a reduction in fatigue. The key of chiropractic lies in stimulating the mind-body’s own natural healing process.

In another Healing Hands article dealing with insomnia (sleeplessness) we shared that chiropractic care is believed to help with the following:

• Reducing stress (mechanical, psychological)
• Reducing anxiety
• Reducing depression
• Reducing Fatigue
• Reducing pains throughout the body
• Reducing back pain, sciatica, neck pain and headaches
• Improving the quality of sleep

21 Statistics on Fatigue and Low Energy Levels

• More than 69% of workers feel fatigued at work.
• Losing even two hours of sleep is like the effect of having three beers.
• Fatigued people are three times more likely to be in a car crash.
• The risk of injury on night shifts is 30% higher than day shifts.
• 97% of fatigued workers have reduced cognitive performance.
• Workers with sleep problems are 1.62 times more likely to get injured than workers with no sleep issues.
• 13% of all workplace injuries are caused by fatigue.
• 10%-20% of all car accidents are caused by fatigue.
• Only 20% of employees understand what occupational fatigue is. According to the NHS,
• 80% of employees are not aware of the causes and risks of occupational fatigue.
• Fatigued workers lose 5.6 hours of productive time per week.
• Fatigue costs employers about $136 billion a year in health-related lost productivity.
• The cost of fatigue is approximately $80 million per year for an average-sized company with 52,000 employees.
• Up to 2.5 million Americans are estimated to have chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Chronic fatigue syndrome is most common in the 40 to 60 age group, which is over 33% of the working population.
• Average sleep prior to work is just six hours 20 minutes, well below the minimum recommended seven hours.
• 66% of workers sleep less than seven hours before work.
• 81% of UK workers do not feel as though they achieve enough sleep; with work and personal worries common contributing factors, as well as not having enough time and shift schedules.
• 50% of workers are ‘at risk’ of insomnia, 22% of obstructive sleep apnea, and 10% of restless leg syndrome.
• 63% of workers who drive as part of their commute drive while drowsy at least a few times a month.
• 38% of workers said they have had an accident or near miss commuting because of drowsiness.
• 35% of workers manage less than six hours of sleep prior to work.

The statistics shown above can be found at ergonomictrends.com and shponline.co.uk .

Book Your Initial Assessment to Get Started

Our initial Chiropractic Assessment is one of the UK’s most thorough assessments. We’ll conduct a nerve function scan to look at the output of your spinal nerves, an EMG muscle function scan to see if your spinal muscles are overworking or under-performing, x-rays (if clinically required), a full medical and spina history, a heart rate variability check to measure your stress levels and much more. For a comprehensive overview of our initial assessment check our dedicated page. If you’re ready to book your initial assessment click here.