New year new you. Right?
Sure, if that means that 2023 is the year you start putting your health and general well-being first. Whilst it takes a lot not to get sucked into the fad diets we all get bombarded with at this time of year, there are a lot of things you can do to actually support your physical and mental health (acupuncture to help manage stress just being one of them). Dodging the weight loss adverts, financial strain after Christmas and the pressure to be the best version of yourself can be a lot.
So why not take an hour out of your hectic schedule and concentrate on your overall health? At The Which Doctor, we want to help you make 2023 the year you prioritise your well-being. We want to help with better sleep, less stress, better bowel movements, and more energy for all our clients.
And less shame about that extra slice of cake you had during the festive season.
Can Acupuncture Help with Stress?
Stress can be a key factor when it comes to a number of health concerns, including burnout. In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we have a vital energy, Qi (pronounced Chee), that runs along various meridians or pathways in the body. Blockages or disruptions in these pathways can have different effects on your physical and mental well-being, including pain and discomfort.
Stress can be a huge source of disruption which may manifest itself as painful periods, joint pain, sleepless nights and other symptoms.
Acupuncture works by inserting very thin, sterile needles into different acupuncture points along our meridians. These can help to stimulate the energy, remove blockages and restore the body’s natural balance. Not only can acupuncture help to relieve the symptoms of stress, but it can also help to reduce stress and many conditions caused by stress.
For those who have never had acupuncture before, it’s hard to imagine how having needles in your body won’t cause more stress. Our experienced practitioners do everything possible to make you feel at ease. We’ll take you through the whole process, including what to wear to an acupuncture session so that you feel comfortable and leave our clinic feeling restored and stress-free.
What Is Stress and Burnout According to Chinese Medicine?
Stress manifests itself differently in everyone. Some may suffer from stomach troubles, rapid heart rate, loss of sleep, joint pain, or a general sense of feeling hopeless. Many professionals believe that depression or other medical conditions cause burnout. Others think that lifestyle plays a role.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, burnout and extreme stress can be linked to poor spleen and kidney Qi. Imagine, for example, a pot of something yummy cooking on a campfire:
- The fire represents your kidney Qi, and;
- The food is the spleen Qi.
The spleen turns your yummy food into energy that’s taken around the body.
If you’re not getting enough nutrition, you have to take from your kidney energy (the fire). Stress, caffeine and drugs can drain your kidney energy which, when combined with a lack of nutrition, starts to cause burnout. This leads to extreme tiredness, a lack of motivation, worry and a lowered immune system.
Is Acupuncture for Stress Relief The Only Option?
At The Which Doctor, we care about your overall health. It’s very common for people to come to us with a specific symptom or a feeling that something just isn’t quite right. In your first session, we’ll really take our time to get to know you and your body. You can expect some questions about your sleep patterns, bowel movements, exercise, and any physical symptoms. Your practitioner might also ask to look at your tongue as a way to diagnose.
We may then recommend some sessions of acupuncture for anxiety or stress, herbal medicine or some changes in lifestyle (such as staying warm as the kidneys need to be warm to function). Traditional Chinese Medicine really works by looking at the body as a whole and each body is different.
Acupuncture for Anxiety, Stress and Sleep – Will it Help?
As you can see, acupuncture can be an effective treatment to better manage stress, anxiety, fatigue and many other disorders. From a TCM perspective, it helps to move stagnant energy so that you can feel more energised and balanced. It’s also time out every week for you to prioritise your health and lie down for an hour and have what I like to refer to as, an ‘acu-nap’…
If you’re curious about whether acupuncture could support you, get in touch with the experienced team at The Which Doctor. We’ll be happy to talk you through any questions you may have and book you in so that you can start 2023 off in the healthiest way for your body.