De-Stressing with Acupuncture

Stress is a natural part of life, but with our seemingly never-ending hectic lifestyles, we are more stressed out than ever!

There are various techniques you can use to relieve stress, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and more. You may want to try several methods of de-stressing to find a method you feel most comfortable with.

What is Acupuncture?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese healing art that involves inserting fine needles at very precise pressure points throughout the body. The needles stimulate the body’s natural healing processes in its energy system.

How Does It Work?

Acupuncturists believe that energy flows through the body system through channels called meridians. This energy is referred to as Qi or Chi.

Stress causes an imbalance in the body’s energy and causes it to flow improperly. The Qi can become blocked and stagnant. It must be unblocked and flow freely in order to restore harmonious balance to the body.

By stimulating the proper acupressure points, the Qi can flow freely, thereby alleviating stress induced mental and physical symptoms.

Is It Safe?

Acupuncture is perfectly safe when performed by a licensed practitioner. Acupuncturists are trained in the proper methods of treatment and all instruments are sterilized to prevent any risk of infection.

The Food and Drug Administration approved non-toxic needles made for single use application just for use in acupuncture treatments. The majority of people who undergo acupuncture feel no pain at all. A small percentage may feel very minimal pain. Bleeding rarely occurs.

Health Benefits

Acupuncture can relieve the physical symptoms of stress that tends to accumulate in the neck, shoulders, and back, causing pain and tension. Headaches are another physical complaint resulting from stress. People who are under high levels of stress often have high blood pressure.

Acupuncture can relieve physical symptoms, such as tense muscles, and even help to lower blood pressure. Acupuncture leaves the body feeling calm and relaxed. An added benefit of acupuncture is that it improves the circulation of the blood throughout the body.

Treatment Sessions

A typical acupuncture session may last for 30 to 60 minutes. The patient will become very relaxed during the treatment and may even fall asleep.

Regular acupuncture treatments can help strengthen your body so you’re better able to deal with the day-to-day stresses of life. Acupuncture can also leave you feeling refreshed and energized.

Stress Related Health Conditions

Regular acupuncture treatments can help heal stress related health conditions and improve the body’s immunity to defend against potential illnesses.

In fact, in some cases, acupuncture that is being used to treat one condition can actually help detect another, more severe illness that had not been previously identified. In such cases, acupuncture aids in early diagnosis and treatment.

In another capacity, acupuncture can serve as a form of preventive measure against illness by alleviating stress and strengthening the body.

The Mind-Body Connection

Acupuncture serves to the treat the mind and body as a whole system. Conventional medicine has come to accept that the mind affects the body. The mental system affects the physical. Stress is a perfect example of the interrelated connection between the body and mind.

The mind perceives life situations and the body reacts to them on the basis of the mind’s perception. If the mind perceives a threat, the body immediately prepares for a flight or fight response in which the heart beats faster and the muscles tighten, just as with stress.

Remember, acupuncture is just one method of relieving stress. It’s also important to learn positive and productive ways to cope with stress on a daily basis, thereby making the stress work for you rather than against you.

Find your own combination of de-stressing methods that work for you, and use them often to enjoy a happier and healthier life.

In Chinese medicine anxiety disorders are related to three organs: heart,
gallbladder, and kidney.

Disharmony between the energies of these organs
can lead to different disorders such as:

• Panic attacks
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Phobias
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

In Chinese Medicine this disorders are treated with a combination of herbal formulas and acupuncture with satisfactory results. But if the person is not able to receive acupuncture treatments, or take herbal supplements like in the case of a pregnant woman. You can still address the underlying problem with food therapy and every day supplements.

Here are some guidelines to follow:

* Include calcium (1,000 mg a day) and magnesium (500 mg a day) supplements to your diet. Try taking half the amount in the morning and
half at night to increase better absorption of calcium. Also, take a B complex (50 to 100 mg a day, best in the morning) to decrease stress effects.

* Avoid stimulating foods and drinks: caffeine, sugar, processed foods and alcohol. Avoid foods that commonly cause food sensitivities (peanuts, soy, dairy, wheat, corn, shell fish). Increase consumption of fresh vegetables and whole grains.

According to Chinese Medicine these are some of the foods that also help with anxiety disorders and should be included on your diet:

Corn silk, cow’s gallbladder, water spinach, abalone, asparagus, dried ginger, cinnamon, chicken egg, banana, bamboo shoot, oyster, royal jelly, and pork.

Always consider and food allergies that you may suffer from, and avoid those foods.

Like I said before Chinese Herbal formulas like Tian Wan Bu Xin Dan or Wen Dan Tang, plus acupuncture are effective, but if you are unable to get these treatments, the above guidelines should provide a measure of relief.

In my practice I have found out that anxiety disorders are often linked to unbalanced hormonal levels.

Some of the symptoms of hormonal imbalance are:

• Night sweats
• Hot flashes
• Weak erections
• No desire
• Weight gain (easy and rapid)
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Gastric problems aggravated by emotions
• Back pain
• Weakness of the Knees
• …and about a dozen other problems.

If any of those symptoms sound familiar, and you would like to check on natural alternatives to bring balance your endocrine system, check this excerpt from Dr. Lucille Holly’s fantastic book, “Creating and Maintaining Balance.”