This past year has really been one for the books. A global health crisis, on-again, off-again mask-wearing, and travel disruptions to say the least. All of these disruptions in our everyday life can cause imbalances in our mind, body, emotions, sleep cycles, and overall well-being.
In the past year, there have been many people seeking treatment for the management of their anxiety, stress, and sleep issues which most (if not all) have been directly related to the health crisis.
As heartbreaking as it is to witness, we are so happy we can help with acupuncture and Chinese medicine. It has been a challenging and isolating year for most of us, but the good news is, as human beings we have a great deal of resiliency and strength.
We want to thank all of the volunteers and firefighters protecting all communities affected by the current fires.
Why Your Body Needs Acupuncture: A Pathway to Faster Balance
Chinese Medicine views the mind, body, and spirit as a whole, and so mental stress, anxiety, grief, and depression can cause physical symptoms as well. Have you experienced this before?
Acupuncture works to initiate the body into the parasympathetic nervous system - the “rest and digest” aspect where we experience deep relaxation, decreased cortisol levels, increased immunity, and decreased inflammation.
Did you know the body is only able to self-heal if we are in a parasympathetic state?Acupuncture also stimulates points that release “feel good” endorphins and natural pain killers, so your mood will improve and you will have less pain.
When we add cupping or Gua Sha to your appointment, you will experience decreased muscle tension, increased mobility, increased relaxation, and an overall sense of well-being.
Fight or Flight?
In our everyday lives and society, it is hard for our nervous systems to get out of the sympathetic nervous system mode - the “fight or flight” due to increased stress and stimulation, and so we have to actively push ourselves to work on it and seek treatment when needed.
A lot of patients come in with upper neck, shoulder tension, and headaches directly related to stress and anxiety. The great thing is Acupuncture balances the nervous system, cupping resolves muscular tension, and we can suggest at-home herbal supplementations for you to take between appointments. The goal is to address all levels - physical, mental, and emotional - to get you back to feeling healthy and balanced, and this is why we love Chinese Medicine!
Acupuncture and body work are great methods of treatment to help your body move through the effects of the last year and what it has done to the mind, body, and emotions. If you are new to Acupuncture, please don’t hesitate to ask us how it can help you move through any “post-health crisis symptoms” and don’t forget, it treats more than just pain!
This article was originally published on the Vital Point blog, and has been republished with express permission of the author.
Kristina Adams, RAc is a graduate of Pacific Rim College and has a special interest in injury rehabilitation and pain management as well as insomnia, stress, depression, and anxiety disorders. She currently owns and practices Vital Point, which currently has offices in Kamloops, BC and Sun Peaks Resort, BC.
