Exploring Stress, Cultivating Peace

June 2013

Greetings

Summer is almost here! Even amidst the June gloom, the excitement of summer is totally palpable. You can feel it in the air.

Whether it’s vacations, weekend getaways or just a more relaxed frame of mind, there is something so special about summer. Summertime evokes an energy of festivity, celebration, and plain old fun. Stress seems be lighter, or at least miraculously more manageable during this time of year. Things that might build up or bother us seem to more easily roll off our shoulders. 

I have been thinking about the subject of stress a lot lately. Nearly all of my patients have symptoms that are worse with stress, if not caused by stress directly. It is so worth understanding how stress works and what we can do to mitigate its negative effects. In this issue of Malibu Acupuncture & Herbs check out Exploring Stress, Cultivating Peace. Part 1 of this three part article focuses on the essentials of stress. In future issues we will discuss developing body/mind intelligence and other keys for stress management. 

Enjoy!

With Love,

Malibu Acupuncture & Herbs

News

Saturdays– Book Ahead!

The past few Saturdays have been filling up early! If Saturday is your day for acupuncture, be sure to schedule in as much advance as possible. 

Special Points

Exploring Stress, Cultivating Peace
Part 1- The Essentials of Stress

Tightness in the neck and shoulders, feelings of nervousness or anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, digestive issues- what is this thing we call stress?

Stress is a built-in physiological mechanism to help the body survive immediate threats. In earlier times it was used to help us escape from threats like being killed by a wild animal. The problem is that in civilized modern society, we are no longer faced with immediate threats to our survival. Demands of everyday life like getting stuck in traffic, dealing with finances, having an argument with a spouse, or caretaking for a loved one, although very demanding, are not immediate threats to our survival.

Unfortunately the body interprets it as so. During stress or a perceived threat to our survival, a physiological mechanism known as the ‘fight or flight’ response is activated by the sympathetic nervous system. The ‘fight or flight’ response is the body’s primitive and automatic response that directs the body to either “fight’ or ‘run’ to survive a perceived threat.  This initiates a hormonal cascade to the pituitary gland and adrenals (known as the HPA axis) that release adrenaline and cortisol “the stress hormone”.

The body’s stress response is a healthy, normal physiological function that is self-regulating. When a threat, or stressor is gone, it decreases adrenaline and cortisol levels to normal, and homeostasis is restored. But in today’s fast -paced world, the stress response is activated so frequently, that hormone levels begin to respond inappropriately.

Innumerable signs, symptoms and diseases can result from chronic stress. According to the American Institute of Stress, some of the 50 common signs and symptoms of stress include:

Anxiety                                                              
Constipation, diarrhea                                      
Depression, frequent or wild mood swings        
Difficulty concentrating, difficulty making decisions
Dry mouth
Emotions like anger, irritability, worry, guilt
Fatigue, constant tiredness
Forgetfulness
Frequent blushing, sweating
Headaches
Heartburn, stomach pain, nausea
Increased smoking, alcohol or drug use
Insomnia, nightmares, disturbing dreams
Lightheadedness, faintness, dizziness
Nervous habits, fidgeting, tapping
Neck and back pain
Unexplained or frequent “allergy attacks”
Rashes, itching, hives
TMJ, jaw clenching, teeth grinding
Weight gain or loss without diet

Chronic stress is not only uncomfortable, it is hazardous to our health. Chronic diseases and disorders linked to chronic stress include hypothyroidism, diabetes, heart attacks, stroke, hypertension, immune system disorders ranging from the common cold to herpes and autoimmune disorders, cancer, gastrointestinal disorders like GERD, IBS, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s, skin disorders like rashes, hives, atopic dermatitis, even neurological and degenerative disorders.

Clearly stress should not be ignored. Rather, for optimal health and well-being we must learn how to work with (not against) this integral part of life.

To be continued.. Read Part 2 in an upcoming issue

Ask Lauren

How does acupuncture work to treat stress?

Acupuncture has been long known as an effective treatment for stress. A series of recent studies at Georgetown University Medical Center now explain the physiological behind acupuncture’s stress-relieving abilities.

During stress, the body secretes a variety of hormones into the bloodstream. In a 10-day experiment using rats, researchers measured levels of these hormones secreted by the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenals (known as the HPA axis). They also measured a peptide known as NPY that is present in ‘fight or flight’ response. 

The results were clear.  Study researcher Dr. Ladan Eshkevari said “[electronic] acupuncture blocks the chronic-stress induced elevations of the HPA axis hormones and the sympathetic NPY pathway.” The studies proved that acupuncture regulates both the HPA axis and the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism as a means for decreasing the negative impacts of stress.

Recommendations

When The Body Says No by Gabor Mate

Great read! If you’re looking to understand more about how stress works, this book is for you. While books about health can be sometimes boring, mechanical, and difficult to understand for those outside the health field, this book is the complete opposite.    

Dr. Mate speaks in layman’s terms so that readers can truly get a better picture of how stress impacts our health.  He uses interesting examples from his own practice, and current research from all over the world.  You won’t be disappointed!

Recipe of the Month

Coconut Dream Cream
Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine by Gabriel Cousens

Strawberries and cream anyone?  No not heavy artery clogging cream, coconut dream cream! 

This dish really earns it’s title. It truly is a dream.  And a dream that’s healthy for you too!  Coconut water is full of replenishing electrolytes, while coconuts and macadamias are rich source of fiber, healthy fatty acid, B complex vitamins and minerals.  

Pop everything into the blender and voila! 

Ingredients

2 C Coconut Meat (thai coconut)
11/2 C Coconut Water
1 C Macadamia nuts
1/4 Vanilla Bean
2 t Stevia or Xylitol
1/4 t Sea salt

Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy, adding more coconut water for consistency. Pour over berries for a delicious healthy treat.