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A safe bet to take would be one that claims not a single adult in the world did not suffer from some variety of stress. Stress is responsible for more loss of productivity, missed days, and illness than any other thing in the entire world. It affects millions of people on a daily basis. The effects range from headaches, muscle aches, anxiety, drug use, exhaustion, and insomnia. The list could go on and on, but not all stress is bad. Stress, in short burst, is actually beneficial, such as needing a rush of adrenalin. An example of good stress would be preparing for a speech. This short period of stress causes no damage. Stress that is continual, however, is not healthy. Increased blood pressure, increased breathing, and muscle tension over a long period of time harm the body. The long-term effects of stress can lead to depression. There are many ways of reducing tension and one way is through the use of prescribed medication from a physician. Another alternative that is gaining momentum is acupuncture.
Stress is a large part of most individual’s lives, especially in our fast-paced, pressurized world to move faster and perform better. Sickness due to stress is a big factor in many missed days of work and a general loss of productivity, and millions of people seek more and more ways to relax and unwind. It’s true that stress in the form of short bursts of adrenaline can be a productive thing, such as in the case of giving a speech or being active in sports, but long-term stress is a killer and damages both body and brain. Reducing overall tension can be found in the form of many prescription medications, but more individuals are turning away from pills and drugs, looking to acupuncture to ease their jangling nerves.
Stress fills our lives and people are constantly seeking ways to escape its grip, suffering daily from jangling nerves or heavy tension. Stress can leave us feeling exhausted and burnt out, especially if long-term and continual. Short-term stress in the form of adrenaline bursts can help us perform better in sports or when we need to give a presentation, but over time, ongoing tension runs both our bodies and brains down. Relief can be found in myriad forms of prescription medication, but many individuals today are turning away from a drug-filled life and seeking alternatives. Acupuncture is one of those stress-relieving options and has found a growing popularity in the Western world.
Acupuncture has been around for centuries. It is the practice of using long, thin needles in different areas of the body. Acupuncturists believe that there is a flowing energy in everyone. This energy is known as Qi (pronounced chee). When the needles are placed in certain spots, the life force is relaxed, and the stress is reduced. One particular area that has had recent focus by the medical community is around the ear. Mothers who were suffering from anxiety related to their children were given aural acupuncture and the relief was almost instant. The mothers felt less anxiety and stress, which then correlated into their children having less anxiety.
Acupuncture has certainly come a long way in the last decade. Whereas before it was considered by Western medicine to be “mysticism” or to have only a placebo affect on its followers, today there are many studies to back up the practice of acupuncture. Medical physicians are beginning to refer patients with chronic pain and stress to licensed acupuncturists, and there are even some insurance carriers that have Complimentary Alternative Medicine plans. The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of acupuncture in 1996, thus regulating it so that only licensed, trained professionals could practice legally.
Acupuncture has a solid track record and is quickly gaining popularity in the Western world. Medical practitioners approve of the positive results of the technique and have begun to refer their patients to acupuncturists for help with chronic pain and stress. Insurance companies are beginning to cover acupuncture sessions, allowing more people access to the procedure. The Food and Drug Administration regulates acupuncture and ensures that professionals are licensed and properly trained.
There is support for acupuncture from the Western world and modern medicine. The Food and Drug administration began regulating acupuncture in 1996 and requires professionals to be trained and licensed. Insurance companies are starting to offer coverage for acupuncture sessions and even doctors are referring their patients to acupuncturists for chronic pain and stress relief. Acupuncture continues to show positive results and maintains its strong, proven track record.
Acupuncture may not be for everyone. The effort to try acupuncture is not wasted, though, by those who venture away from standard medical practices. Is it better to continue to suffer pain and anxiety? There is a low risk of side effects from acupuncture, unlike the drugs normally prescribed for anxiety and pain. There are no long-term ill effects and virtually no risk of death. It is worth giving acupuncture a try, if it means living a longer, healthier life free from stress and anxiety. The tension that debilitates so many individuals on a daily basis and makes each day a constant ordeal to overcome can be alleviated through different means. Acupuncture might take several trips to see results, but each session can result in an increasingly better life.
Acupuncture may not be for every individual. Sessions need to be repeated to see measurable, strong results, but each visit to an acupuncturist is a step in the right direction. The risks are low, especially with a certified acupuncturist giving you quality treatments, and side effects are extremely minimal. You won’t be filling your body with mood-altering drugs, and you most likely will see long-term, positive results from your sessions. Surely, with a procedure so simple and easy that is far away from the world of prescription medication, the technique of acupuncture is worth a try for stress relief.
There is virtually no risk involved with acupuncture, especially if you have chosen a therapist who is backed by strong credentials and has good training. Side effects are very minimal or virtually non-existent, and there are no ill long-term effects from acupuncture, unlike some prescription medications used to treat depression or anxiety. Certainly, if acupuncture continues to provide such solid, measurable results in easing tension and stress, trying out this alternative technique is well worth the time and effort to help gain a relaxed, better life.