Stress Management

Stress Management

Whether you’re experiencing an acute time of stress, or long-term chronic anxiety, Acupuncture offers a safe and effective means of restoring balance and alleviating symptoms.  Individuals experience “stress” in numerous ways: worrisome thoughts; tension in the chest, back or neck; increased heart rate and blood pressure; appetite changes; insomnia; fear and anxiety.  During your initial acupuncture session, Bronwyn Clark will listen to your experience, and create a treatment protocol catered to your unique needs.  Each treatment is aimed to pacify the Mind and the Spirit, which is accomplished through traditional Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and sometimes a Guided Imagery exercise that can be incorporated into your session. Patients are able to achieve peace and calm during the session, and beyond.

My husband and I both work in stressful environments and have trouble turning off our minds and relaxing. We have been seeing Bronwyn for almost 5 years and she knows exactly what to do through her acupuncture treatments to put us at ease both physically and mentally. We always sleep better that night!
— Erin
 

While Acupuncturists and patients alike have observed remarkable changes that take place with Acupuncture treatment, recent studies have revealed more about the mechanism by which stress is relieved through Acupuncture.  A recent study at Georgetown University tested the effect of Acupuncture on blood levels of protein neuropeptide Y (NPY), a protein secreted by the Sympathetic Nervous System during “flight or flight response.”  The study also looked at blood hormone levels secreted by the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenal gland (collectively - HPA axis), following Electro-Acupuncture.  The research involved rats who were put into a stressful situation for 1 hr each day. Following the induced stress, one group of rats received Electrical stimulation on one Acupuncture point, and remarkably, the NPY levels were lowered to that of the control group.   It was determined that Electrical stimulation blocks the  stress-induced elevations of the sympathetic NPY protein, and also the HPA axis hormones.  

Furthermore, when the Acupuncture group stopped receiving treatment, but continued to experience stress induction for an additional 4 days, the NPY levels remained low.  Not only does Acupuncture  provide stress relief that we can now measure on a molecular level, the benefits can be enjoyed for days beyond the time in which stress levels are reduced.  Many patients leave treatments feeling renewed or even euphoric, what will you experience?

During a highly stressful job a few years ago, acupuncture with Bronwyn was the only way I was able to keep my blood pressure in check. I saw a noticeable change in not only my blood pressure levels but overall mood.
— Don