Stress and stress are feelings that we all know. Whether it be work problems, finances, relationship difficulties, illness, or any other situation where we may feel we are out of our comfort zone, stress begins to overwhelm us.
What is happening to us
When we are healthy and anxiety is short lived, we are usually able to recover from stressful situations that are relatively intact. However, if stress is prolonged or associated with other emotional or physical disorders, then it has serious consequences on our overall well-being. It affects the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the instinctive “fight or flight” reaction when we encounter a dangerous or stressful situation.
The consequences
This results in elevated levels of cortisol, the body’s natural stress hormone, resulting in usually high blood pressure, increased belly fat, increased blood sugar, decreased immune function and decreased cognitive performance. Over time, this can cause long-term disruptions to our physical and mental health, such as fatigue, depression, weight gain, headaches, digestive problems, sleep problems, fertility issues, etc.
When control is lost
In traditional Chinese medicine, physical and emotional imbalances are closely linked in the sense that one type of imbalance can cause or aggravate the other. Prolonged disturbing emotions such as stress and stress impede the natural flow of energy in the body, which can cause pain and illness.
For example, chronic stress often manifests itself as muscle tension and pain in the upper back and neck, which in turn lead to headaches. Pain on the other hand usually leads to even more anxiety, resulting in the perpetuation of the cycle of imbalance.
Acupuncture breaks the vicious circle
Acupuncture: A Natural Solution to Stress. Acupuncture is also a natural way to combat stress. Acupuncture combats stress by breaking this cycle of imbalance. How is it achieved? By releasing obstacles to the flow of energy and restoring physical balance in the body. This not only helps alleviate physical manifestations of stress, such as pain, digestive disorders and sleep problems, but also combats stress itself.
Scientifically, acupuncture helps relieve stress by causing the body’s nervous system to release natural chemicals, such as endorphins, to the brain and body. These chemicals act as pain-relieving and relaxing inhibitors, which have a calming effect on the body.
The calming effect of acupuncture reduces heart rate, blood pressure and relaxes muscles, thereby alleviating many of the stress-related physical problems. In addition, acupuncture increases blood circulation, thereby bringing more oxygen to the tissues and thus directly rejuvenating the individual during treatment.
