Brechtje Sebregts on recovery and energy balance according to the five phases theory
Mieke Fraussen on TCM face reading and what your face reveals about stress and burnout.
Nathalie Beijersbergen on how herbs nourish your body from the inside
Sarah Pritchard on self-care as the key to healing: insights from a Tui Na expert
Katinka van Duijn on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and burnout symptoms
Acupuncturist and teacher Katinka van Duijn will provide a special webinar for NVA members during Acupuncture Week on burnout, viewed from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In this interview, she will also give you, as an interested party, valuable insights into burnout symptoms from TCM.
What strikes you most as an acupuncturist about people with burnout symptoms?
‘What strikes me the most is that no burnout is the same. Each client brings their own story: one struggles with work pressure or the combination of work and family, another with perfectionism or sadness. Some walk around with physical complaints such as insomnia, fatigue, or tense muscles, while others are mainly stuck in their heads. Lifestyle also plays a big role: nutrition, exercise, rest, and the constant digital stimuli of today all influence how someone recovers.’
‘I see people in different stages of burnout. Sometimes there are only warning signs, but they are often ignored because people just keep going. Others are in the midst of collapse, the moment when the body literally pulls the plug. And then there is the recovery phase, where people slowly learn to feel, discover boundaries, and redefine their lives.’
‘What I often hear is the inner struggle. "Giving up is not an option," say many clients, while their body has long indicated that enough is enough. There is often a strong urge to persevere, to continue caring for everyone, even when energy is completely depleted. Fatigue, irritability, and loss of pleasure are then ignored. Yet, I do not see burnout as a failure, but as an invitation. It is a moment when life asks you to reflect on what you truly enjoy, what gives you energy, and what you can effortlessly sustain.’
In Chinese medicine, burnout is often seen as an imbalance. What do you mean by that?
'From the perspective of Chinese medicine, we look at the balance of energy, Qi, and the interplay between the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element has its own qualities and vulnerabilities. When that balance is disrupted, symptoms arise that we refer to as burnout in the West.
For example, I observe that individuals with a lot of Wood energy often put too much pressure on themselves and struggle with setting boundaries. With Fire, there is more emotional exhaustion or insomnia, while Earth types tend to overthink or carry too much responsibility. Metal is linked to sadness and perfectionism, and with Water, it often involves deep fatigue or feeling lost.
Essentially, the balance between effort and relaxation is lost. People rely too long on their reserves — what we call Jing in Chinese medicine — until a point where the battery no longer recharges. Therefore, the treatment focuses on restoring that energy balance. Acupuncture helps to get the energy flowing again, but nutrition, breathing, rituals, or discussions about lifestyle are also part of the process. Each treatment is tailored to the unique pattern of the client.'
What is the first step you recommend to someone who notices they are feeling 'burned out,' but not yet completely collapsed?
'Recovery always begins with awareness, with taking a moment to pause. Often, it's the small steps that make a difference. This could mean saying no once, allowing yourself to rest without guilt, or turning off your phone for a day and feeling what it's like to truly be present again. Sometimes a walk by the sea, a warm bath, or simply a moment of deep breathing can help restore the connection with your body.'
'And of course, it can be beneficial to visit an acupuncturist. Together, you can explore where your energy is draining and what you can do to regain balance. Every step, no matter how small, is valuable. Not as an achievement, but as an invitation to recovery.'
More stories during the Acupuncture Week
This interview is part of the Acupuncture Week, which this year focuses on burnout. During this week, we share various conversations with acupuncturists and clients about how they view recovery from both physical and mental exhaustion from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Also, read the other interviews and be inspired by stories from acupuncturists and their clients about recovery and balance.
