By Amanda Hynes, D.Ac, R.Ac
During this time normal everyday maintenance functions such as: digestion, immune and hormonal functions are temporarily put on hold. Now imagine the outcome if our bodies’ normal everyday functions were often or always-on hold….
In today’s modern world, escaping that tiger is an every-minute-of-the-day affair. Our brains can’t tell the difference between “I have so many emails and tasks to finish and I don’t have time” and “Ahhh! There is a tiger chasing me.”
Stress is any thought, feeling, or belief that makes your brain feel threatened. That includes getting chased by a tiger but also work stress, money worries, relationship struggles, and feelings of resentment, sadness, and anxiety.
The constant stress our bodies are under inhibits the body’s ability to return to equilibrium. Chronic stress can cause headaches, muscle pain, fatigue, insomnia, digestive problems, infertility, and a variety of emotional conditions.
This long-term stress increases your chances of hypertension, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and a host of other conditions.
How Can Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture is proven to reduce stress and even reverse the effects of stress. Research shows that acupuncture stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone that signals and regulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Acupuncture also addresses the effects of stress, like high blood pressure, elevated blood glucose levels, and insomnia.
Acupuncture immediately slingshot you out of fight-or-flight mode and into the parasympathetic rest-and-relax mode. It sends a signal to your brain that you are safe and it can relax. This in turn allows your body to heal from stress, pain, and inflammation.
Acupuncture is used both as a preventative and curative medicine and is just one modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This means that when you work with a Registered Acupuncturist they may also incorporate cupping, guasha, and moxibustion and offer lifestyle and nutritional counseling.
A good acupuncturist will treat you, not your symptoms. So not only will your stress improve, but all aspects of your life such as sleep, digestion, pain, and energy.
Regardless of your lifestyle or career, finding the appropriate stress treatment and management strategy is critical to maintaining a healthy you and a higher quality of life. Acupuncture is a great tool to combat the stress in your life!
Fear of Needles?
Most of my patient’s experience of acupuncture is quite pleasant and relaxing. Once the needles are in, the patient lies quietly on the table with low lighting and calming music playing in the background, bringing you into “acubliss”!
Not convinced?? Come in for a free 15-minute consultation so I can ease your mind and help you on your way to managing the stress in your life.
