As you may already know stress and anxiety are some of the most steadily growing and prevalent conditions among teenagers and adults today. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2014-2015, 4 million Australians (17.5%) reported having a mental or emotional condition (2).
Factors that may contribute to increased stress (which can lead to anxiety) include exams or other academic or sporting commitments, work commitments like starting a new business, maintaining an existing business or meeting deadlines, unemployment, pregnancy, relationship problems, divorce, moving houses, poor nutrition or dependence on drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or pain killers. In turn, the effects of stress can co-exist with or lead to anxiety and disrupt our sleeping patterns leaving us lay wide-awake and alert opposed to sleeping soundly. If our lifestyles or situations don’t calm down, this vicious cycle may continue, creating an emotional roller coaster or lead to signs and symptoms of depression.
The main concern is that our bodies, or even our selves may not realise when we are under pressure… subsequently resulting in what I like to call an ‘unknown stress'.
This ‘unknown stress’ is usually ignored until physical or emotional symptoms appear. It is then when we start to question why we feel a certain way. Stress is a silent burden that affects us all differently and you’re not alone. If we are left in this ‘fight or flight’ state of being (sympathetic nervous system dominance) numerous health concerns can begin to arise.
In more severe or long-term cases, stress may increase your breathing rate; increase your heart rate or your blood pressure consequently putting your cardiovascular system at risk of a severe illness (e.g. heart-attack or heart disease).
- Our Acupuncturists at Vyne Health conduct a comprehensive full body screen including, tongue, pulse and abdominal palpation to help correctly diagnose a particular Traditional Chinese Medicine pattern of disharmony that you may be presenting with.
- Previous or current health questioning is also done to better understand your current status including gathering an insight into your dietary, lifestyle, emotional or physical habits. After all, we are all unique and feel things differently to one another and cope differently in stressful situations. Hence, our consultations are carefully designed specifically to you, your life and your health concerns.
- We want you to be able to feel the areas in your body that you may feel tension or 'hold' your stress, hence our palpation skills are very important within our treatments. This way, you can feel changes within your body throughout the duration of your treatment and we can help you to reconnect or better understand your body and its coping mechanisms.
If you would like to know more about the services we offer or if acupuncture could assist you or a loved one, please phone us on (07) 5515 0409.
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