Acupuncture for Sprains and Strains

We’ve all heard of and maybe even experienced a sprain or a strain.

But do you really know the difference?

A sprain is defined as a stretch or tear of a ligament. A strain, on the other hand, is defined as an injury to a muscle or tendon. Sprains can result from a fall, a sudden twist or a blow to the body that forces a joint out of place, while a strain can happen from twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon.

There are specific ways of telling the difference between a sprain and a strain based on the symptoms that appear.

Symptoms of a sprain include:

• pain
• swelling
• instability
• bruising
• loss of functional joint ability

Sometimes there is an audible pop when the injury occurs. There are different levels of sprains too. A Grade I or mild sprain is generally caused by overstretching or the minor tearing of a ligament, but the person will still have joint stability. A Grade II or moderate sprain is more intense, but the person only experiences some loss of joint function. A Grade III or severe sprain occurs when there is a complete tear in the ligament and the person is unable to put any weight on the joint.

Strains, on the other hand, have very different symptoms. Most people who experience a strain, will report pain, limited range of motion, muscle spasms and possibly muscle weakness. There may also be cramping, swelling and inflammation.

Instinctively, when a person experiences a sprain or a strain, learned first aid skills take over. Things like taking the pressure off the joint, raising the joint and applying ice to alleviate swelling and inflammation are all great places to start. Icing a sprain or strain is only good for the first 48 to 72 hours, as it will help decrease swelling. However, prolonged use of ice may impair movement and also interfere with the healing process because it constricts the tissues and impedes blood flow.

But there are other possible solutions to healing a sprain or a strain, and one of these would be to see an acupuncturist or Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner such as Holistic Alternatives Palm Harbor.

Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners have many tools at their disposal that can assist in increased healing of a strain or sprain. When either of these injuries occur, the muscles surrounding the area tighten up in an effort to protect the injured site. This can then lead to stiffness in that joint. This is the body’s natural defense mechanism that decreases strong blood flow to the area.

TCM practitioners use acupuncture and other modalities to help loosen up the muscles and increase blood flow to the area, which brings in tissue-healing oxygen and nutrients.

Increasing blood flow is just one way TCM can help. There are also specific acupressure points that reduce swelling, decrease inflammation and alleviate pain.

Through the use of regular acupuncture treatments following a sprain or strain injury, the body can heal faster. The more frequently a person comes in for their acupuncture treatments, the quicker the results will occur.

Acupuncture Treatments for Sports Injuries

Acupuncture Treatments for Sports Injuries

Almost everybody has injured themselves participating in sports. Since sports injuries are so common, most professional athletic teams have trainers, physical therapists and doctors on their payroll. The newest member of the healthcare team for most athletes is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which incorporates everything from acupuncture to nutritional counseling to help injured athletes heal.

Acupuncture for Sports Injuries:

Acupuncture is an extremely effective method of dealing with sports injuries because it stimulates the central nervous system. This triggers the release of neurotransmitters like endorphins that act as natural painkillers to alleviate pain. Acupuncture also stimulates blood flow to injured areas, while decreasing inflammation. All of these actions help speed up the recovery time of the athlete or the weekend warrior.

There are several stages of injury. The first stage is the beginning stage where there is inflammation. The second stage is the sub-acute phase that begins after the first week following the injury. This stage is where damaged tissues are healing. If the injury is not completely healed during this time, then it becomes chronic and goes into the last stage of progression. During the chronic stage, swelling and inflammation are usually gone, but pain and stiffness take their places. Regardless of the stage in the injury/healing process, acupuncture can help.

Chinese Herbal Formulas for Sports Injuries

Herbs and combinations of herbs, known as formulas are used frequently in TCM. They can be used topically in the form of balms or salves and they can also be taken internally. Most herbal formulas have specific herbs in them that help target the injured areas. For instance, Ge Gen Tang is an herbal formula that contains herbs that are aromatic and therefore they rise. This is why Ge Gen Tang is a good choice for neck injuries. Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang is another herbal formula frequently used to treat knee injuries. Juan Bi Tang is a popular herbal formula used to treat general musculoskeletal and joint pain. And Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan is used to treat internal bleeding caused by traumatic sports injuries.

Nutrition for Sports Injuries:

Proper nutrition is vital for everyone, not just athletes. But for those who push themselves physically, it can be even more important. The number one nutrient needed and should be used by all athletes is water. A dehydrated joint or tendon is more likely to tear. Collagen is another component of the joints that needs to be nourished and this can be done by ingesting vitamin C, which can be found in citrus fruits and dark leafy greens. For those that work out aggressively, omega 3 fatty acids are a great way to keep inflammation at bay. Omega 3’s can be found in oily fish, seeds and walnuts.

For more information on Acupuncture Treatments for Sports Injuries, please call us (727) 266-3000.

Acupuncture and Sports Injuries

Patient Help Sheet – Acupuncture to Strengthen the Liver

Traditional Chinese medicine looks at the human body quite differently than Western medicine.  In TCM, there are energetic pathways associated with specific organs in the body. When these pathways or meridians, and the energy flowing through them, are out of balance, the body may become diseased.

In TCM, the liver and its corresponding meridian are responsible for the smooth flow of Qi or energy, blood and emotions. The liver is easily affected by excess stress and uncontrolled emotions. Anger is the emotion commonly associated with the liver and gallbladder. If a person is frequently irritable, gets angered easily, has difficulty relaxing or letting things go, and is unreasonable, it is safe to guess their liver Qi isn’t functioning properly.

Acupuncture for Liver Problems:

In TCM, the liver has multiple functions. The liver is responsible for the movement of Qi throughout the body. When the Qi becomes blocked or stagnant, then disease can occur. Regarding the liver, this can manifest as anger, irritability, frustration, eye problems, tendon tightness, menstrual issues or even things like cirrhosis. Liver imbalances are one of the most commonly treated issues in TCM. Almost everybody has some degree of liver imbalance.

Acupuncture is very good for releasing emotions, decreasing stress and eliminating pain associated with liver imbalances. TCM can bring the body back into balance by improving circulation and increasing blood flow to areas that may need the extra nutrients carried by bodily fluids.

Acupuncture Points for the Liver:

• Liver 3 – This point is located on top of the foot in the depression formed where the first and second toes meet. Liver 3 is used to spread liver Qi and nourish the blood.
• Gallbladder 34 – This point is located on the outer lower leg, in the depression found behind and below the head of the fibula bone. This point should be used for almost anybody who has liver issues because it is a powerhouse at dislodging stagnant liver energy.
• Liver 2 – Liver 2 is located on the top of the foot, between the first and second toe, just above the web of the skin. This point is very effective at strengthening the liver, as well as harmonizing it.

Chinese Herbs and Formulas for the Liver:

Another integral part of TCM is the use of herbs and herbal formulas. Many times the herbs can be used alone, but there will be a more synergistic effect when the single herbs are combined to make a formula. One such herb is the chrysanthemum flower, also known as Ju Hua, which clears liver heat. Lycium fruit, also known a Gou Qi Zi, enriches the liver to help with tendon and blood issues. Then there is a formula known as Da Bu Gan Wan. This formula is commonly called the liver nutrition formula. It can help with everything from hepatitis to general liver Qi stagnation.

Dietary Recommendations for the Liver:  Nutrition is also very important for proper liver function. Starting the day with fresh squeezed lemon juice in a glass of warm water will help decongest the liver and flush out toxins. Beets are good for cleansing the liver and tonifying the blood of the liver. Foods like ginger, peaches, scallions and garlic are good additions to the diet of anybody who is exhibiting signs of liver Qi stagnation because they move and regulate liver Qi.

Seeking help from locally licensed acupuncturist Robert Lutz is a great way to take care of your liver. Holistic Alternatives can guide you along the path to wellness to give you the best chance of success for strengthening your liver or helping it heal.

Liver Qi Stagnation

Who really considers their liver? Is it just a wedge-shaped spongy organ that somehow soaks up alcohol and squeezes out blood and digestive biochemicals? An imperfect champion of modern life, buffering us from the burden of late-night fries and whiskey, only to be guiltily appeased with salads and fresh juices the next morning? What is this being with whom we have such a tumultuous relationship? It is time to get to know the value of the liver according to Chinese medical theory.

Chinese medicine has a long history of placing the functions of the body into analogical frameworks that help make light the complex ideas of functional relationships between organ systems.

Physiologically, the liver embodies the decisive aspect of a military general, in setting up the preconditions for the correct functioning of nearly every organ system. For example, the liver is related to blood pressure via its synthesis of albumin, the blood plasma protein that helps balance oncotic pressure, which ultimately influences systemic blood pressure. The liver stores and releases important vitamins, minerals and glucose; metabolizes hormones; synthesizes proteins; detoxifies various metabolites; and secretes biochemicals vital to digestion such as bile.

These functions allow the entire body to function correctly, and in a broad Chinese medicine sense this can be understood as governing the directional movement of Qi through the organ systems- to allow Qi to enter and exit the organs, stop and start metabolic processes, raise or lower pressure.

By allowing the correct movement of Qi through the body, the liver consequently governs the movement of blood, in a similar way to an army getting supplies and forces to the right people at the right time. The basic momentum of the blood is managed by the heart, but the usage of blood by any organ system is controlled by the liver.

So when you digest that heavy meal, blood gets shunted to the digestive organs; when you run, blood is made more available in the legs and lungs; when you sleep, blood retreats back to the liver for processing, allowing the liver to perform over 500 functions in the body.

According to Chinese medical theory, the liver Qi can become “bound up” by strong emotions, which physically inhibit its smooth functioning. Conversely, if the liver is physically injured or obstructed (say with fatty liver or even the blockage of the diaphragm), this causes a tendency toward angry outbursts, in the body’s attempt at removing obstruction with a forceful outpouring of energy.

Although this may sound like a stretch, consider the act of sighing. The liver sits just under the diaphragm physically. When the liver is obstructed by emotional tension, one begins to heave a heavy sigh to move the diaphragm and hence force the liver to move as well. It is no coincidence that a heavy sigh indicates a release of emotional tension. In this way we move our livers so our livers can “move” us, move our Qi and move our blood.

Liver Qi stagnation affects a large number of body processes, and it makes all of them less efficient. When the liver system is constantly challenged and bound up with stress, what follows are more severe imbalances of digestion, blood pressure, hormonal expression, blood sugar regulation and mood. This can cause muscle tension and pain, anxiety and/or depression, accumulation of fat, insomnia, menstrual cramps, low libido and more.

The correct movements of the body based on the “planning” action of the liver ultimately create a harmony of action of the body that nourishes a positive sense of self that allows stressful situations to be dealt with and not “held on to.” When one holds onto stress after the moment has passed, the smooth coordination of the planning process is interrupted; but as we all know, when one part of a carefully organized plan goes awry, it throws off the timing of the rest of the plan.

The modern condition of “decision fatigue” contributes directly to the binding up of activity of the liver system in a similar way to the “decision paralysis” that occurs when we have too many options or cannot decide. We go into fight or flight mode, release a bunch of stress hormones, and then stew in them because the organ system responsible for clearing out and metabolizing these stress hormones, the liver, is the one being most strongly impacted by our emotional response.

Another catch-22 of the liver system is that things like alcohol and fatty foods do tend to relax our minds and do technically ‘soothe’ the liver in small amounts. The prescription of medicinal wines are a perfect example of this; as is eating liver pâté to support liver health. However, these same substances in too large of quantities will injure the liver itself, disallowing their further use as a liver-supporting substance.

Ultimately, a little liver Qi stagnation is to be expected in modern life, and we all enjoy a bit of challenge to keep things interesting. But, the higher the daily stress level, the more important it is to unwind this ‘bound’ Liver Qi. Allow the conscious or subconscious expression of emotion via playing sports, artistic pursuit, meditation, taking an extra long time to enjoy a healthy meal with friends, or in the most medically immediate way – seeing Holistic Alternatives for acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, cupping and massage.

Research Update – Acupuncture, Incontinence and the Urinary Bladder

Researchers at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Science conducted studies to look at the effectiveness of treating urinary incontinence in women. Specifically, they were looking at mixed urinary incontinence that can be caused by sneezing, coughing and during exertion. The researchers studied 42 females with mixed urinary incontinence and used acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture for the study. Many of the subjects reported no urinary incontinence or less than two grams of urinary leakage after receiving the series of treatments.

It was determined acupuncture and electroacupuncture are viable solutions for the treatment of urinary incontinence. And they also determined none of the participants in the study needed the assistance of pharmaceuticals or surgical procedures to achieve these results.

According to the World Health Organization, urinary bladder control problems affect nearly 200 million people worldwide. Women tend to be more likely to be affected by urinary bladder dysfunction than men. The most recent reports show more than 50 percent of older Americans struggle with urinary incontinence. This is just one of the many urinary problems that plague people all around the world. Urinary bladder dysfunction can mean anything from enuresis (urinary incontinence) to bladder stones. Many of these illnesses are preventable or treatable.

The urinary bladder is part of the filtration system in the human body. The bladder stores and excretes urine from the kidneys and really only has this one function as an organ. However, in Traditional Chinese Medicine the bladder is viewed somewhat differently. As an energy system, the bladder is very closely related to the functions of the autonomic nervous system. The bladder energetic meridian runs along both sides of the spine from head to heel. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the control of the unconscious bodily functions, such as breathing and digestion.

Acupuncture, part of the nearly 3,000 year old medical system of TCM, has been shown in numerous studies to be effective at treating Incontinence

Acupuncture elicits an autonomic response that applies a modulation effect on the nerves that control bladder function. Acupuncture has also been shown to positively influence the immune system, as well as the psychological well-being of the patient. This benefits the individual who might be suffering from urinary bladder issues.

The general premise of TCM and acupuncture is that when the energies of the meridian are not flowing properly, then something is out of balance. This can manifest as either an excess or a deficiency. Regardless of excess or deficiency, the energy has to be balanced for it to flow properly and allow the organ to function as it should. The acupuncture needles modify the flow of energy, creating balance and harmony. There are over 400 acupuncture points on the body and 67 of those exist on the bladder energetic meridian alone. This makes it one of the most commonly used meridians in TCM and it is used to help treat various different conditions.

Contact Holistic Alternatives today for more information.

Here are some tips that you can use to help balance and support your ovarian health.

Research confirms acupuncture does indeed have a positive effect on ovarian health. Acupuncture has been shown to improve ovulation by regulating the nervous system and hormones (the neuroendocrine system) as well as improving blood flow to ovaries. Weekly acupuncture helps synchronize the menstrual cycle (often in combination with herbs) and is very beneficial for ovarian health!

PATIENT SELF-HELP CARE AT HOME POINTS

Yin Tang – located between the eyebrows, place your thumbs together and rub untoward the scalp, or place your index finger there lightly and rub in a clockwise circle. This point will help calm your mind and quell anxiety.

Zigong + Ren 3 – at the center of the torso about one inch above the public pone, gently press into Ren 3 and then press at two points level with Ren 3 about 3 inches away from the center of the body (above the ovaries). These points help regulate the ovaries.

Sp 6 : Three Yin Crossing – is the primary point used for most gynecological conditions: Do self-acupressure at Sp 6 by placing a pinky finger on the inside tip of the ankle bone (malleolus), the width of your hand from pinky to index finger is the distance to Sp 6 just off the edge of the tibia.

Yoga & Meditation

Repeating this pose three to six times squeezes and then opens the ovarian area, increasing circulation and improving health.

Apanasana: The Pose of Letting Go.

• Lay on your back and hug the knees into your chest.
• Keep your arms and shoulders relaxed.
• Keep your feet parallel (uncrossed).
• On the inhale, feel your thighs float up. On the exhale, press your knees into your belly. Take 12 deep breathes.
• Release and either keep the knees bent, with feet on the floor or stretch the legs out, resting legs with a bolster under the knees or flat on the floor. Take three breaths in this neutral position and then repeat Apanasana for a total of three times (holding each time for 12 deep breathes or working up to holding the last pose this long).

Chakra Therapy: the sacral chakra associated with reproductive organs and is called Svadisthana which translates as sweetness. If you have ovarian health concerns, a useful mind-body connection to contemplate is: What’s blocking your experience of sweetness in life?

Practice letting go of bitterness and resentment.

The primary lesson of the sacral chakra is that to be procreative (have healthy ovaries) one should be creative in other areas of life.

Open the sacral chakra by: painting a wall in your house a new color, making up your own recipes, planting a garden or writing a poem. Do something daily outside your normal realm of creativity (if you’re a painter – sing a song).

Ova-Elixir Soup

Enjoy this herbal bone broth soup recipe recommended for women to build blood after their periods:

• 3-5 pieces of dang shui root slices
• 2 large red dates (if you include the seeds: crack before cooking.)
• 3-9 goji berries
• 1 organic chicken thigh or breast (bone in)
• 1-2 cups water
• Miso 1 tsp (stir in after broth is off heat)
• Salt, Himalayan to taste

Place all ingredients in a crock pot for about 4 hours: this tonic must be eaten warm. Avoid all teas for 12 hours afterward. Also avoid iced and very cold drinks.

Oriental Medicine (OM) Nutrition Diet Tips

• Build your Qi & Blood and balance Yin & Yang.
• Avoid eating fast food: not only is the nutrition content not helpful for fertility, but food packaging has been linked to higher levels of phthalates, chemicals used to make plastics more flexible. Phthalates are well known to distrust hormones.
• Eat eggs, seeds and healthy fats to nourish your ovaries and eggs. Essential fatty acids are needed to form cholesterol and all hormones are built with cholesterol in their cell membrane. Try rebalancing your hormones by eating olive oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil, avocados, sunflower seeds, eggs, butter, whole milk yogurt, peanuts and foods high in Omega 3s. Many women have spent years avoiding eating fat for fear of gaining weight.
• Avoid dampness: TCM nutrition recommends avoiding damp-creating foods to prevent accumulating weight or fluid. For 2,000 years OM nutrition advice has been to avoid excessive dairy, wheat and sugar, including things like orange juice. Dampness becomes phlegm, which translates into conditions such as chronic candida and ovarian cysts. Dampness also obstructs Qi which leads to fatigue. Balance the damp-creating foods with fiber. Fiber helps to balance out blood sugar which is essential for reproductive health. Plan on eating fiber with each meal and consider adding some insoluble fiber to your wellness routine, such as psyllium husk. This is especially true for those with chronic loose stools and/or constipation.
• Nourish your blood! Focus on building healthy blood to protect your ovaries! Eating complete proteins is essential for health. Women with insufficient levels of iron can suffer from anovulation (lack of ovulation) as well as poor egg health.

Please feel free to contact Holistic Alternatives if you have further questions or concerns.

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Stress & Your Physical Body

Stress is defined as: a physical, chemical or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension.

It actually has a good function in our bodies. It’s our body’s way of signaling for help or for a break in routine. If we don’t listen to these signals, we develop imbalances in our bodies, which can then lead to illnesses.

Stress is a natural response of the body to the various demands we place upon it. In ancient times, our stress response, also known as our “fight or flight” response, provided us with energy to preserve life during difficult situations, such as an attack or threat by a wild animal.

Unfortunately, modern day stress is considerably higher, more frequent, and more consistent than what our predecessors experienced. Today, we don’t have to look much further than our windows, or computer screens, to view various forms of stressors – everything from the news, traffic / road rage, to the 40+ hour work week, terrorism talk, cell phones and social media.

We can help you feel better naturally.

Our response to stress can either help or hinder our body’s ability to cope with these various stressors in our lives. Healthy responses to stress include appropriate physical exercise, good eating habits, positive thinking, adequate rest, and reaching out to friends and family for support. Unhealthy responses to stress include negative thinking, overexertion, poor eating habits, lack of sleep, and isolation. These unhealthy responses can cause the body to work harder than it needs to and can trigger physical and mental health issues. Over time, ongoing stress and unhealthy responses to stress can actually be detrimental to our health.

Medical studies have shown that with increased and consistent stress, our white blood cells which defend our body against viruses decrease. This results in lower immune resistance, ultimately leading to physical disease and emotional instability.

Even if the stressors are no longer present, the body continues to keep the stress response active. This results in the depletion of our nervous system, lymphatic organs (spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes), kidneys and adrenal glands, which can pave the way for a wide variety of symptoms and signs.

There is Hope.

Practitioners of acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have been helping people cope with stress for thousands of years. The ancient theories of TCM on how stress affects the organs are similar to those of Western medicine. However, TCM theory and treatment go far beyond treating symptoms and signs and address the root cause(s) of the problem.

One way that stress affects the body is by causing a depletion or blockage of Qi, especially that of the kidneys and adrenals. Qi is the vital energy or power that animates and supports the functions of the body. It flows through specific pathways, called meridians, and provides nourishment for the entire body. When Qi becomes “blocked” or the supply is inadequate, the body and organ systems become “stressed out” and our health is then compromised.

With acupuncture and TCM, our job is to support and restore the integrity of the various organs affected and depleted by the stress response, along with evaluating the quality and quantity of Qi. We may also suggest adjunct therapies to enhance treatment and speed healing. Proper eating habits, as well as exercise, stretching, movement and meditation practices, support and promote a balanced and healthy body, mind and spirit.

Acupuncture & TCM provide a safe, effective & drug-free alternative for treatment of stress!

Ways to combat stress:

1. Get adequate sleep. Try for at least 8 hours of restful and restorative sleep.
2. Practice meditative exercises. Qi Gong, Tai Chi & Yoga can help create a healthy awareness of the body and mind connection, freeing your mind of stressful thoughts.
3. Eat a well balanced diet. Maintain a healthy diet with adequate amounts of complex carbs, vegetables, fruits, protein and healthy fats.
4. Have fun! Make time for relaxing activities, enjoyable hobbies and lots of laughter in your life.
5. Breathe. Relaxed deep breathing is one of the most simple and easy techniques that can be used for reducing stress.

Acupuncture for Stress Relief

How Acupuncture Helps Reduce Stress

Stress is a word many people are familiar with.

Cortisol is the hormone most closely related to stress. Cortisol is a big component of the “fight or flight” response we feel when we are scared or threatened.

In small bursts, cortisol is helpful. However, when stress becomes chronic, cortisol levels become elevated and never return to normal.

This puts the body in a constant state of being on edge, eventually causing insomnia, depression, anxiety, digestive issues and even mental illness.

There are ways to fight and reduce stress though. Simple things like exercise, meditation, art, talking with friends and even acupuncture. Admittedly, most people don’t think of being stuck with tiny needles as “relaxing,” but it really is. Acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and it is becoming more mainstream every single day. It is even being used in some hospital emergency rooms for those who are in pain and anxious.

Acupuncture acts like physical therapy for the nervous system. The tiny needles retrain the nervous system and the brain to behave as it should normally. For the nervous system to act and respond accordingly, cortisol has to be at normal levels and only used when a true “fight or flight” situation occurs. Studies show acupuncture does this.

Another way acupuncture helps reduce stress is by keeping the heart rate normal. When the body is stressed, the heart tends to pump faster and in some cases, a person may even develop palpitations or atrial fibrillation. The heart rate is closely connected to the vagus nerve. If the vagus nerve is stimulated, so too will the heart rate. There are specific acupressure points on the arms and hands that can calm the vagus nerve and the heart.

Stress is frequently related to specific emotions. Acupuncture controls anxiety and stress by affecting the part of the brain that regulates emotions and then reduces anxiety naturally. This allows the body to calm down and the mind to relax.

Chronic stress frequently leads to depression. Again, acupuncture can help with this. As the stress is relieved through regular acupuncture treatments and other mind/body techniques, then depression will start to clear up as well. Many people are even able to get off their depression medications following a regimented treatment plan that utilizes acupuncture and herbs.

Lastly, digestive disorders can be caused or exacerbated by chronic stress. Digestion occurs while the body is in the “rest and digest” phase. When stress is added into the mix, digestion may become disrupted and things like diarrhea can occur. Studies have shown acupuncture is extremely effective at decreasing or eliminating bouts of diarrhea.

Acupuncture is a wonderful tool for fighting stress. As few as two needles can reset your body and decrease your daily stress level. Talk with us to find out how to resolve your stress the natural way.

Acupuncture / Acupressure Points for Stress

There are over 400 acupressure points on the body and another 100 or more in the ears. But within all these choices, there are certain points that are much better for treating stress. Here are 3 great choices for dealing with your stress levels:

Yin Tang – This point is located midway between the inner ends of the eyebrows. Yin Tang is used to treat stress, anxiety and insomnia. It is also a great point to use for eye issues, nasal problems and headaches.

Ren 17 – Located in the center of the chest, midway between the nipples on the breastbone or sternum, this point is great for opening the chest. Many people feel chest tightness and constriction when they become stressed. This point will definitely help. It is frequently used to treat anxiety, depression and nervousness, as well as asthma or other lung issues. It can also be added to treatments to help with digestive issues or heart problems like palpitations.

Heart 7 – This point is located on the underside of the wrist crease on the outer edge. It is found in the depression on the outer side of the tendon. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this point is used to calm the mind and heart. It works well for anxiety, stress and anger too.

If stress is something you experience frequently, seeking out a licensed acupuncturist might just be the remedy you need to get it under control. And don’t forget that long-term mental stress can turn into physical stress that leads to disease. So what are you waiting for?

Want to learn about herbal tonics to reduce stress? Visit our TCM page.

TCM is holistic and natural because it stimulates the body’s own healing mechanisms and takes into account all aspects of a patient’s life, rather than just several obvious signs or symptoms.

TCM practitioners view the body as a complex network of interconnected parts (part of a larger concept known as Qi), rather than separate systems or organs.

Research Update: Acupuncture & Stress

A study published in the Annals of Yoga and Physical Therapy looked at how acupuncture treatments affect stress levels in administrative workers at a local hospital.

The study included 58 participants who reported high levels of stress associated with their jobs. The participants were treated with 8 weeks of auricular acupuncture.

After the 8 acupuncture sessions, the workers reported their stress levels had decreased from high to moderate. The study hypothesizes reduced stress levels are associated with regular acupuncture treatments due to the release of neurotransmitters in the body.

This study and many others are providing evidence that acupuncture can indeed decrease stress levels and improve overall health.

Stress is defined as either pressure or tension exerted on an object or a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances.

Here are some facts from the Global Organization for Stress:

• Americans report higher levels of stress than most people in other countries around the globe.
• Surveys show nearly one out of 75 people worldwide, experience panic attacks.
• Stress in American teenagers is now one of the top health concerns and it is being found that teenagers experiencing stress are more likely to develop long-term health problems.

We all experience stress in our lives.

But learning how to deal with it can be crucial for a happy, healthy life.

Studies show acupuncture can reduce stress when used regularly. The Journal of Endocrinology published a study showing stress hormones, like cortisol, were lower in rats that had received electroacupuncture. The use of electroacupuncture actually blocked the chronic stress hormones in the rats. It does the exact same thing for humans. TCM practitioners have known this for thousands of years and they didn’t need the research to prove it.

There are other tools as TCM practitioners we can use to relieve stress, such as cupping and herbs. But acupuncture / acupressure tend to work the quickest. Ask me to find out more!