Needles, your new Nirvana
I know, I know, I am sorry. Although we can't travel to amazing places like this in the near future, you still need to find ways to relax, renew & rejuvenate to deal with the stresses of daily living.
That's where I believe the ancient form of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can step in. Acupuncture is one of the oldest traditional forms of natural medicine in the world today. It has stood the test of time because it works, it really does. In this modern world, we need to find ways to calm our busy minds and deeply de-stress from the chaos that surrounds us. What a gift I have been given when I decided to start studying TCM. Acupuncture is deeply relaxing & has been shown over and over again to calm down our stress response hormones such as cortisol & adrenaline. All you have to do is turn up, we do the rest.
For you sciencey peeps out there (like me) here is the western medical explanation about how Acupuncture has such a calming & healing affect on the body.
How does Acupuncture work?
The research in this area is ever expanding. In current research, acupuncture helps to initiate responses from the central nervous system (CNS), increase blood flow, and stimulate the release and modulation (balance) of natural chemicals such as endogenous opioids, endogenous cannabinoids, neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and dopamine) and stress hormones.
The endogenous opioid system helps to diminish the stress response, reduces the effects stress has on the body, and builds resilience to stress. It has effects on the endocrine system (hypothalami-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis), the adrenal/energy system (hypothalami-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis), the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and on emotional and behavioural responses.
The endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) is the fourth major regulatory system of the body. The ECS functions in the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, organs, immune system and endocrine system. The ECS aids in the regulation of everything from pain, blood pressure, inflammation, immunity, appetite, mood, metabolism and stress.
Serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin are three of our 'feel good' neurotransmitters, and acupuncture can help to increase the levels and activity of these chemicals in the brain, nervous system and around the body.
Acupuncture helps to reduce the levels of stress hormones cortisol, ACTH (cortisol), adrenaline and noradrenaline, thereby reducing physical & emotional stress levels.
Pretty cool hey? That doesn't even include the benefits of our amazing Chinese Herbs (leave that for another BLOG). Come see us for some acupuncture magic. Petra xx