The “fight or flight” hardwiring of our nervous system does not work very well in a modern stressful environment.
Stress is a part of daily modern living. It is a reaction to an event or happening that is beyond our control. A good and rosy outlook in look can guarantee our stress is short-lived and we are able to recover without too much damage to our general health. When the stress seems overwhelming, or if it persists for a long time, our emotional as well as our physical health begin to suffer.
Our bodies, or should I say our brain, is fashioned to help us cope with stress. The fight or flight reaction is usually our reaction when a perceived or real threat manifests. The sympathetic nervous system elicits the aforementioned response. In this reaction, the heart rate increases, pupils dilate, and the digestion process temporarily ceases to function to enable blood to further replenish the extremities, so that if we either fight or turn around, the means to do so are reinforced.
The hardwiring into our nervous system of the “fight or flight” does not work very well in a modern stressful environment. The usual place where stress is engendered is in the office and an overbearing boss or evil co-employee(s) are prime stress generators.
Unfortunately, this reality forces us to cope with stress in the long-term and over time, it takes its toll on our health. The stress causes blood pressure to increase, and our immune function is compromised. These symptoms become worse over time, which can result into anxiety, headaches and depression, to name a few.
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), strong emotions such as anxiety and depression disrupt the normal flow of energy throughout the body. According to TCM, energy flows through our body through networks like blood flowing in the circulatory system. Any intense emotion blocks the free flow of energy in the body. Many stressed out people who complain of upper back, shoulder and neck pain. Stress is responsible for added pressure in those areas, hindering the normal flow of energy, causing pain, tightness and headaches.
Stress affects other parts of the body, primarily digestion, sleep, pain conditions, and blood pressure. Stress can easily do more damage to an already troublesome health condition.
Orlando acupuncture practitioners are responsible for repairing these blockages. Applying needles to the acupuncture points serve as traffic light switches to the energy highway, and can remedy energy flow smoothly, and lessen not only the symptoms of stress and anxiety, but the stress and anxiety itself.
In western medical perspective, acupuncture helps mitigate stress by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural analgesic. Moreover, acupuncture promotes good circulation of blood throughout the body. This oxygenates the tissues and filters out cortisol and other waste chemicals. The soothing nature of acupuncture also calms the heart, normalizes blood pressure and enables muscle relaxation.
