Acupuncture for Stress

Acupuncture is one of the most effective treatments for stress. Acupuncture does not simply calm the mind and relax the muscles temporarily but brings lasting balance to various systems of the body and breaks the cycle of imbalance.

Stress is a major reason for health problems, especially in large cities like New York. The mental strain and anxiety of a fast-paced work environment often leads to headaches, insomnia, muscle tension, panic/anxiety disorders, palpitations, fatigue, emotional disturbances, weight gain, digestive disorders and countless other problems.

Acupuncture is especially effective at treating all of these problems because of its profound effect of regulating the way the body responds to stress.

What does Stress do to the body?

You may have heard of the “Fight or Flight” response, a reaction of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) that is triggered by stressful situations. The chemicals Cortisol and Adrenaline are released from the adrenal glands. Blood is diverted from the digestive system and internal organs to the muscles to prepare for fighting or running for our lives.

While this reaction can be helpful in such a situation that is truly life threatening, it is almost always an unhealthy reaction to the stresses of daily life. Constant triggering of the stress response will cause the body to lose the natural balance (Homeostasis) of the Autonomic Nervous System. This can lead to an over-excited state with problems of palpitations and insomnia or an under-excited state of depression and fatigue.

Cortisol causes elevated blood sugar, which over time can cause weight issues and contribute to Type II Diabetes, while Adrenaline increases the heart rate and blood pressure. Stress over a period of time can also lead to increases in cholesterol, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and weaken our immune system.

Coping with Stress

Everyone has their own ways of coping with stress, but they are not always healthy. Some reach for a cigarette, alcohol or junk food for comfort, when they should be going for a walk in the park or to the gym. The harmful ways in which we cope with stress can be a large contributing factor to the poor health that results.

A Natural Alternative

Anti-anxiety medication, muscle relaxants and pain killers can make you feel drugged, and are just masking the problem. For insomnia, drugs such as Ambien and other sleep-aids not only cause drowsiness in the morning and the occasional sleep-walking/eating episode but they also are not solving the root of the problem, they simply become an expensive and unhealthy habit.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine on the other hand allow the patient to naturally fall asleep, feel calm, or be without pain, even after the treatments and the herbs are finished. This is because acupuncture doesn’t simply treat the symptom but treats the underlying cause of the imbalance.

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