Stress and anxiety are now very common ailments in today’s overly fast-moving world. There is a very large gap between what’s expected from you from society and what you really want to do and be. In today’s failing monetary system we have financial pressures, the like that we have never seen before in the past, and the various TV media, whose only interest is in making money and pushing political agendas, no matter what the cost, unfortunately, dictate and push today’s fast way of life where everything is a commodity and everything is disposable. The continual bombardment of our senses to make money and look after number one and to succeed at all costs creates an inner conflict planting the seeds of discontentment; this mindset is what leads to the rapidly rising suicide rates all over the world.  Panic and depression set in whenever a person cannot measure up to a perceived sense of worth and achievement. This illusion of happiness which a lot of people cannot achieve but continue to strive for does not come from within ourselves but rather is dictated to us by society through television and advertising, they want us all to look the same, its called fashion and behave in a certain way, as a form of control. If it were true that wealth could solve all the world’s problems then there surely is enough in the world to make this happen and there certainly would not be any stress at all. So the real truth about yourself should come within yourself and not from the box on the wall or some magazine, this is why Acupuncture, Yoga, Tai Chi, Meditation,  Qi Qong, and Herbal Medicine would all be good systems to get into in order to get in touch with and find the real inner self, where true happiness resides.

Chinese Medicine and Stress

So what can we do? The answer lies in the age-old wisdom that is “Chinese medicine”. When stress strikes, the body’s energy flow what the Chinese call “chi” (Qi) is impeded. Acupuncture is based on the concept of maintaining balance and harmony within the body by facilitating the flow of life energy in it. When chi/Qi (life energy) inside the body becomes stagnant and congested all kinds of mental and physical illness will follow. In order to restore chi distribution, fine painless needles are inserted into acupoints along the meridians (energy pathways) of the body. According to the science of acupuncture, there are more than 350 acupoints on the meridians of the body. Stress and depression are some of the most common factors involved in blocking this energy flow leading to most diseases including cancer. It’s always a good policy to have regular acupuncture treatments in order to keep you healthy and stress-free.

Restoring the Balance in the Mind

Constant stress causes the disruption of the body’s energy flow causing all sorts of disorders like high blood pressure, migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, palpitations, insomnia, IBS, thyroid problems, etc. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can and will restore this energy flow taking away the dreaded down feelings associated with the stress and depression. Prolonged chronic stress and depression unchecked for many years could lead to more serious diseases like cancer and heart disease and chronic insomnia. Much back and shoulder pain and stiffness can also be coming from stress because if the body’s energy is not flowing at its optimal then joint pain and stiffness can be the result. Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can provide a safe and effective tool for stress and depression as well as all associated aches and pains like headaches. The Chinese herbal formula Xiao Yao Wan is an excellent formula for relieving stress when combined with regular acupuncture treatments. It will not, of course, change the circumstances of a person’s life but it will induce a deep and profound relaxation which gets to the very core of their being producing a very strong feeling of well-being lifting the panic and stressful feelings. The practitioner can help restore balance and thus protect health by identifying each individual’s unique energy profile to see where the weak spots are and where support is needed to restore balance. Acupuncture for stress can and will open a window of opportunity. As the heavy feelings of stress are relieved, a person feels more confidence in his/her ability to cope with the unpleasant aspects of his/her life situation and should then maybe be in a place to make the necessary changes. It’s very hard to make lifestyle changes while in the throes of a stressful downward spiral. Acupuncture is a very important and effective first step on the road to recovering from stress. But above all else acupuncture is a tried and tested natural form of medicine, free from the ghastly side effects associated with Western medicine and drugs.