TREAT CHRONIC

Treat Chronic Stress with Acupuncture Therapy

by Lorenzo Phan

Aconstant bombardment of highly stressful situations is detrimental to our physical and emotional well-being. In fact, medical research has shown that chronic stress is a major cause of disease and illness. Studies by the National Institute of Mental Health, along with surveys from other organizations, show that 70 to 80 percent of all doctor visits are for stress-related and stress-induced illnesses. In addition, stress contributes to 50 percent of all illnesses in the United States.

While there are myriad types of stressors, the body’s natural response is the same regardless of the source of the stress: It releases the stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline into the bloodstream. This causes the nervous system to trigger increased heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration, body temperature, blood clotting, and blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Additionally, neck and shoulder muscles tense up and the digestive system halts to preserve energy to deal with the immediate situation. If one constantly experiences excessive stress, then the body does not have enough time to repair itself. As a result, the body becomes out of balance, which may lead to a state of burnout, where depression, anxiety, and other emotional as well as physiological health problems have the potential to develop.

Unfortunately, stress is a common problem, and it can strike from all areas of life. It can come from serious illness, death in the family, divorce, financial hardship, academic pressure, job loss or job-related issues. In fact, job stress is an epidemic, causing accidents as well as a range of illnesses that cost businesses $300 billion a year in healthcare costs and absenteeism. Common work stressors include heavy workload, multiple projects and deadlines, interactions with customers, and relations with bosses and co-workers. Early intervention to treat stress is the best option to maintain business productivity as well as preventing disasters from occurring, and is also the best policy to prevent stress-related and stress-induced illnesses from manifesting.

Acupuncture therapy is well known for treating psychological disorders, such as stress, anxiety and depression, in Asian countries. Based on clinical research studies, the acupoints along the many pathways, or channels, which travel directly to the scalp, have special effects on cerebral blood circulation and balancing biochemical production in the brain. Acupuncture also induces the production and release of endorphins, serotonin and other neurotransmitters for mind-body relaxation, as well as strengthening the body’s immunity to combat stress more successfully.

For those that are experiencing chronic stress and would like to deal with it in a natural way, then it may be time to explore acupuncture therapy. Our clinic provides holistic therapies, such as acupuncture therapy and natural herbal supplements, to not only help one relieve stress and achieve peace of mind but also to increase one’s energy level and balance the body’s biochemical, neurological and hormonal systems. We strongly believe that these combined natural therapies at our clinic’s stress-free environment will enhance the therapeutic effects.

Lorenzo Phan is a doctor of Oriental medicine and acupuncture physician at the Acupuncture & Skin Care Clinic, located at 725 W. Granada Blvd., Ste. 15, in Ormond Beach. For more information, call 386-615-1203 or visit AcuBeautyTherapy.com. See ad, below.