Stress and Anxiety

Stress and Anxiety – More Dangerous Than You Think

It’s a common myth that humans perform best under stress. While this has some truth in acute “fight or flight” situations (like being chased by a bear), the reality is that unrelenting high levels of stress make a person more likely to make mistakes and prone to numerous emotional, mental, and physical health problems. Here are just a few examples…

A Weakened Immune System

The connection between mind and body has been well documented in numerous scientific research studies. Stress is so demanding on the body that the immune system suffers, making you more vulnerable to colds, infection, and other more serious conditions.

Premature Aging

Chronic stress is a major contributor to premature aging. Research at UC San Francisco demonstrated that stress shortens telomeres—structures on the end of chromosomes—so that new cells can’t grow as quickly. This results in the inescapable signs of aging: wrinkles, weak muscles, poor eyesight, and more.

Weight Problems

Researchers at the University of Miami found that when people are placed in high stress situations, they consume up to 40 percent more food than normal. This is a natural response to primitive psychological mechanisms that tell the body to eat as much as possible when food is available. That made sense in primitive times when food was scarce and stress was sporadic, but not in today’s world when both are in constant supply.

Impact on Love Life

Stress can get you out of the mood quicker than you think. A study in 1984 found that stress can affect male body weight, testosterone levels, and sexual desire. High stress levels in pregnant women may also trigger changes in their children, including behavioral and developmental issues.

Loss of Emotional Control

Anxious stressed people are much more likely fly off the handle and this can be especially damaging to relationships with family and close friends, and with coworkers. Recent research by neuroscientists at New York University found that even mild levels of stress can impair our ability to keep our emotions in check.

These are just a few of the myriad of serious problems caused by un-checked stress and anxiety. Doesn't it make sense to deal with the problem and have a happier healthy life?

Effective Treatment of Stress and Anxiety

Many conventional treatments for stress and anxiety involve powerful medications. While there is a time and a place for these modalities in acute situations, they can bring serious or uncomfortable side effects when used as part of an ongoing treatment program.

At Alchemy Radiant Health, we trust in the body's innate wisdom to self-correct almost all health problems when given the appropriate natural treatments and guidance. The challenge is that most of us lead such out-of-balance, stressed lifestyles that our natural healing mechanisms are suppressed. We work with you to relieve acute symptoms quickly and to rebalance the body so that a full healing can occur over time.

Acupuncture is a very effective treatment for stress and anxiety that helps your body take back control. Chinese medicine describes an energy force called Qi that regulates the body’s overall health. Like blood in the circulatory system, Qi moves throughout the body via pathways called meridians. Stress and injury disrupt the Qi flows leading to numerous health problems. Acupuncture rebalances the flows of Qi, allowing the body to restore to normal functional levels.

Researchers at Georgetown University used lab studies to demonstrate that acupuncture slows the body’s production of stress hormones. Their findings were published in the April 2013 issue of the Journal of Endocrinology.

One of the causes of stress and anxiety is poor nutrition – even some supposedly healthy foods are stress inducing. We work with you to make the right food choices to suit your body and lifestyle – you will be amazed at how much better you feel with a series of acupuncture treatments and a few simple dietary changes!

Hormone Imbalances

Symptoms of Stress and Anxiety

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Insomnia, depression, and obesity

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Feelings of frustration and irritation

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Premature aging and illness

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Chronic pain and inflammation

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