Acupuncture for stress

Acupuncture for stress

Stress reduction is key to maintaining well-being and preventing disease, and acupuncture can be a great support for managing stress. Stress is widely recognized as a major cause of disease.  In fact, the research paper Inflammation: The Common Pathway of Stress-Related Diseases in the Frontiers in Human Neuroscience Journal states that “Stress is the common risk factor of 75%–90% diseases”. The paper lists the most common overall stress-related diseases as follows:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Metabolic diseases like diabetes
• Cancer
• Psychological and neurodegenerative disorders like depression, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease

 

Additionally, a report shared in the National Library of Medicine states that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 75% of doctor visits are stress-related with complaints including:

• Headache
• Back pain
• Heart problems
• Upset stomach
• Stomach ulcer
• Sleep problems
• Tiredness and accidents

 

Furthermore, the Occupational Health and Safety news and the National Council on compensation of insurance have an even higher estimate, stating that up to 90% of all doctor visits are for stress-related complaints.

 

Stress from a Chinese medicine perspective

Every person is unique, and no two people will experience stress for the same reason in the exact same way. Each of the primary acupuncture channels in the body is associated with an organ system and has associated emotions and physical sensations. A disruption to any of these energetic systems can result in stress. Here are some ways we might look at stress from a Chinese medicine perspective:

• Anxiety with heart palpitations? There may be too much nervous excessive energy around the heart, and supporting the Heart energetic pathways will be helpful in this case.
• Obsessive thinking and trouble sleeping because thoughts won’t turn off? In this situation, the energy associated with the Spleen organ system likely needs support.
• Scared and shaky? Cold? Sore low back? In this case, it’s likely that Kidney energy needs support.
• Holding emotions in and getting headaches or migraines? In this instance, supporting the Liver energy can be helpful.
• Overwhelmed with grief from loss? In this case, supporting the Lung energy can make a world of difference.

 

Additional support from ear seeds

Ear seeds are a wonderful addition to an acupuncture treatment. Ear seeds are great because they are something tangible that people can take home with them to continue the treatment. It also gives people comfort to have something to do if they feel stress. By gently giving the ear seeds a squeeze, the body gets a subtle message to relax. We have Stress and Anxiety ear seed kits for people who want to apply their own treatments at home.

 

What else can you do at home?

If an acupuncture treatment is not available to you, there are still things you can do at home to help manage your stress. Here are some ideas:

• Learn how you can heal yourself with the relaxation response.
• Take a break from the news and social media.
• Get out in nature or just gaze out your window at the trees or birds if it’s too cold to go outside.
• Watch relaxing nature videos like BBC Planet Earth.
• Find a meditation app that looks interesting like Insight Timer and try meditating.
• Listen to a guided visualization, like one from Belleruth Naparstek.  Watch a talk she gave on stress reduction. She also has many recordings available for purchase on Amazon.
• Give acupressure a try.
• Practice healthy sleeping habits.

 

How about rewarding yourself?

Since you’re reading this blog, you’re already well on your way to taking charge of managing your stress. How about giving yourself a reward for choosing self-care?

Do one thing EVERY day that brings you joy.

If you can do this, you will at least have that time that is stress-free. The thing you choose needs to be something that brings you delight and a smile to your face. What’s important is that it is meaningful to you. It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. It doesn’t have to be anything big or something that takes a lot of time. Here are some ideas to give you food for thought: snuggle with your pet, drink a delicious cup of hot tea, giggle with a friend, move to music, sing your favorite song as loudly as you can, walk outside and crunch through crisp leaves on the ground, or take a soothing essential-oil scented bubble bath. Involve the senses – sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch. What would FEEL good to you and bring you JOY?

 

Want to know more?

Want to talk about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you? We’d love to hear from you. Please click this link to schedule a free 10-minute call with our senior scheduling receptionist who will be happy to answer any questions you have and advise you on the best services and practitioner to meet your unique needs.

 

Any further questions? Please reach out and email us through our website or call or text 910-622-4269.