developed by: Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D.

The SHINE Treatment Protocol is a resource developed by Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum to guide patients and practitioners in establishing an effective treatment program for CFS/FM.

SHINE is an acronym that stands for Sleep, Hormones, Infections, Nutrition, and Exercise. These are the five areas that must be evaluated and treated in order to ensure an effective CFS/FM treatment program:

S = SLEEP: Get adequate sleep, preferably eight to nine hours a night. Sleep replenishes the body’s energy and heals its muscles. Inadequate sleep will leave you exhausted and in pain.

H = HORMONES: Get tested for hormone deficiency and treated if needed. Hormone deficiencies can contribute to fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

I = INFECTIONS: Get treatment when symptoms of infections occur. The lack of restorative sleep in CFS/FM leads to dysfunctional immune systems. Underlying viral, bacterial, bowel, sinus and yeast infections are common and can be a contributing cause or result of CFS/FM.

N = NUTRITONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Optimal nutritional supplementation is essential. Many nutrients can be depleted as a result of CFS/FM. B-12, magnesium, Acetyl L Carnitine and glutathione, as well as your basic A, B, C and D vitamins need to be supplemented at a level that your average over the counter multivitamin cannot provide.

E = EXERCISE: Exercise as able. After 10 weeks on the 4 steps above, you will be able to slowly increase your exercise—without being wiped out the next day!

Click here for the protocol specifics

Read Dr. T’s Q&A column on Planet Thrive. Other resources from Dr. Teitelbaum include his books From Fatigued to Fantastic!: A Proven Program to Regain Vibrant Health, Based on a New Scientific Study Showing Effective Treatment for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia and Pain Free 1-2-3: A Proven Program for Eliminating Chronic Pain Now

source(s): Dr. Teitelbaum’s website