Feeling Nervous Post Quake?... ACUPUNCTURE can help!

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Acupuncture for Trauma Symptoms

In light of recent events I thought I would shed light on the ways Acupuncture can offer support for trauma and more specifically, focused on post-Earthquake trauma.

It has been shown over the past week alcohol and tobacco sales have doubled if not more, unlikely purely statistical coincidence but a more immediate response to stress! In a crisis we all deal with stress in our own way, some fortunate people even experiencing no stress at all… Alas for some it’s quite the opposite with sleepless nights, anxiety or just an overall feeling of unease, not feeling safe. I will enlighten you on a natural therapeutic option available.

Acupuncture elicits a semi immediate calming effect on the body, so is excellent at drawing you out of the ‘fight or flight’ mode (sympathetic nervous system) and into more of a calm non Adrenaline fuelled (parasympathetic) state. In initial crisis mode Adrenaline and Cortisol (primary stress hormone) has its place in terms of supplementing energy levels and giving that major surge sometimes needed to pull you through those initial days. Long term though, Adrenaline/ Cortisol becomes very detrimental and can potentially lead to more severe medical conditions: chronic pressure on the heart & blood vessels (because of increased heart rate and blood pressure), spiking Glucose levels in the blood stream.  Cortisol also puts a halt to all non-essential body functions:  digestion becomes suppressed, lowered immunity; even the reproductive system is affected. This begins to take its toll on the body, to name a few associated conditions:

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Digestive problems

  • Headaches

  • Heart disease

  • Sleep problems

  • Weight gain

  • Memory and concentration impairment

  • And as some of you will be familiar with the term ‘Adrenal fatigue’

Unfortunately with the ‘fight or flight’ response, insomnia can frequently arrive hand in hand which is a terrible combination on the body. Acupuncture can assist with this by increasing the natural feel good hormones such as Dopamine and Serotonin which encourages an overall sense of wellbeing, actually lowering Cortisol levels and allowing you to feel safer, helping tackle those restless nights when every shudder makes your heart pound.

All this leading to less feeling of fatigue and fear- influencing that in the likelihood of another tremor (big or small) you’re going to be in a better position to handle crisis should it arise. Developing resilience, we all really want the reassurance that ‘we will get through’..

If you have any queries regarding this or if you would like to know further, I’m always happy to answer any questions: sharlene@happybodyacupuncutre.co.nz

References:

Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037