What is Stress?
Stress is a physical response to an external stimulus. When we lift weights, we stress our muscles to adapt to the new weight by changing their size and function (hypertrophy). When we jog, we are asking our cardiovascular system to adapt by becoming more efficient and pumping more blood.
Even though stress comes from outside of ourselves, the experience is altered by our mind to be of much greater importance than it really is.
When Is Stress Damaging to Our Health?
Stress damages our health when it creates a situation where we are constantly in a fight or flight response, also known as the sympathetic response.
Modern life creates stress that activates our sympathetic response on a lower but more chronic level.
Modern medicine often mistakes stress-related issues for organ problems. For example, stomach ulcers are treated by reducing stomach acid, but the real cause is stress. Irritable bowel syndrome, a typical stress response, has no detectable organic cause and is labeled "idiopathic," meaning "unknown cause.”
The Difference in Our Approach
We take a holistic approach to stress, evaluating the entire person rather than just their complaints.
Symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, and digestive and cardiovascular issues are seen as manifestations of stress, not organ problems.
Instead of masking symptoms with medication, the goal is to reduce symptoms and build a more resilient and adaptable body and mind.
How Does Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Reduce Stress Response and Create Resilience?
Acupuncture and herbal medicine function as adaptogens, helping the body adapt by relaxing tissues and increasing blood flow. This relaxation unwinds constricted areas bringing oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to promote healing and restore normal organ function.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine also bring homeostasis to an organ that is hyper or hypo-functioning.
When the entire body is well-balanced, we are less prone to injury and illness. Each part of the body works together with other parts to form a cohesive unit that is flexible to change and therefore resilient to disease.
Clinical Evidence
In 2017, The Acupuncture Evidence Project provided a comparative review of 400 randomized patients receiving acupuncture treatment for stress. The findings concluded that “acupuncture for treating anxiety is significant as compared to conventional treatments”.
One study that included 120 randomized patients found that acupuncture had a “large effect” on reducing anxiety and depression when compared to conventional treatments involving pharmacological approaches and psychotherapy, with over twice the reduction in symptoms.
Google Reviews
“I've been dealing with anxiety and depression to the point where it would keep me from doing regular things, live a regular life. That's when I came across Contemporary Acupunture. It has literally changed my life.
They picked out the best treatment for my situation and it has worked immensely in my life. The anxiety and depression level have dropped substantially and I can say I'm getting back to my regular self after so many years.
I recommend to anyone facing these same issues as myself to look for help through acupuncture and natural Chinese herbs treatment because it really works.”
“They have been working with me to address several ailments: GI issues, anxiety and headaches primarily. As a mental health therapist, I work very hard to manage my anxiety symptoms, and I’m very impressed at the impact of this treatment.
After a couple of months I feel markedly better and after every session I can tell I’m trending toward greater wellness.
Every treatment is filled with support, kindness and deep relaxation. This is a practice that solidly understands the art of healthcare. I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.”