Having mild stress in our lives is beneficial towards positive life growth and achieving our goals. However, when stress and anxiety are prolonged and more severe, our health can start to deteriorate. Some common complaints from too much stress are low energy and fatigue, feeling overwhelmed, moodiness and depression, insomnia, muscle tension, and digestive complaints to name only a few. Being in healthcare, it’s hard for me to think of a health complaint that isn’t worsened by excessive stress. Acupuncture works by moving energy, whereas stress stops the flow of energy, which impairs our ability to address other health problems. By addressing the stress, acupuncture is able to treat this larger symptom picture.
There are many ways to counteract the negative effects of stress. Firstly, to minimize the buildup of stress, it’s important to set reasonable goals so that we don’t exhaust ourselves in our day to day living. If stress and anxiety become overwhelming, getting moderate exercise helps to release tension and improve sleep quality. Relaxation music in the evening or before bedtime can also help to soothe the nervous system after a busy day. Breathing exercises and yoga are also known to have similar calming effects.
Any effective treatment for a busy lifestyle almost always involves treating the adrenal glands. These small glands are important in regulating metabolism and initiating the stress response in our bodies, and when they become overused they have to be nourished in order to feel energized and balanced again. Acupuncture provides excellent stress reduction, and when combined with lifestyle and dietary recommendations, as well as appropriate herbal remedies, you can more effectively meet the demands of your life.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is also quite effective to relieve depression. Naturally, the herbs and acupuncture points that are used will nourish the internal organs, and effectively calm the nervous system. These medicines are very safe and their effects can be felt within a week or even days of taking them.
When my patients receive acupuncture, they enjoy laying on a massage table in one of the most relaxed states they’ve been in for a long time. Sometimes they fall asleep, and sometimes they allow themselves to use the hour for quiet time to process some of the things that have been running through their minds and to take a minute and breathe.
Patients often report feeling more calm and serene for the rest of the day after their treatment and tend to sleep well for the next week or so. This is something that needs upkeep, as it’s not a one-time cure-all. It’s beneficial to schedule monthly sessions to combat the stresses and anxieties of everyday life in a natural, affordable way.