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By Stephen Sedita, AP –
While the holidays are a time for celebration, for many people there they are also a time of increased stresses. Holiday stress statistics, as reported by the American Psychological Association, show that up to 69% of people are stressed by the feeling of having a “lack of time”, 69% are stressed by perceiving a “lack of money”, and 51% feel stressed out over the “pressure to give or get gifts”. In addition to these sources of stress a commonly overlooked one is travel. Traveling to different time zones or climates is stressful to the body. The same APA report showed that those who experienced elevated levels of stress rate their psychological and physical health lower than those who are not stressed and are more likely to experience a range of health ailments and symptoms such as sadness (59%), trouble sleeping (56%), and lack of energy (55%). Multiple studies have shown that stress lowers immune system functioning and results in greater likelihood of becoming sick and/or experiencing a worsening of symptoms of existing illness.
According to the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine stress has several negative effects on both body and mind. Stress can immediately create blockages in the natural flow of the body’s energy (qi). This can result in digestive troubles such as upset stomach, bloating, acid reflux, and changes in bowel movements. Bodily aches and pains, and sense of physical discomfort can result from stress. Stress can also affect the mind, which in turn can result in such symptoms as trouble sleeping, increased anxiety or nervousness, difficulty making decisions, decreased mental functioning such as the inability to concentrate and impaired memory. Emotionally stress most often results in increased irritability, but can also result in anxiety, a tendency to over-worry, and overall emotional instability. Both acute and chronic stress can have the same effects; however with chronic stress those negative effects will take longer to treat.
The good news is that acupuncture is a very effective treatment modality for all types of holiday related stress. Numerous clinical and scientific studies have confirmed acupuncture is effective in reducing stress and the World Health Organization officially recognizes acupuncture as a treatment modality for stress. Current research has shown that acupuncture can induce physiological changes that are associated with stress, including increased endorphin release (feel good transmitter), decreased cortisol levels (stress hormone), and decreased levels of neuropeptide Y (a stress marker). Perhaps more importantly, patients report a sensation of increased relaxation and reduced stress after acupuncture treatments.
Dr. Meng has years of training and clinical experience in successfully treating all types of stress. Her unique approach treats not only the symptoms of stress, but addresses the root cause(s) as well. Her whole body treatment technique has proven results as any of her many patients will testify.
Yanhong Meng, AP, DOM
Yanhong “Gina” Meng is a licensed Acupuncture Physician and Doctor of Oriental Medicine. Dr. Meng graduated from Shan Dong Traditional Chinese Medicine University in 1996, where she studied acupuncture and other Traditional Chinese Medicine Techniques. From 1996 to 1999 Dr. Meng practiced at the Shan Dong Lai Wu Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, where she worked under the direction of the noted Dr. Gu Dao Xia, inventor and pioneer in Acupuncture Point Nutritional Injection Therapy. From 1999 to 2001 Dr. Meng attended Shen Yang Western University, where she studied the theory and practical application of Traditional Chinese Medicine in conjunction with modern Western medicine. In 2002 Dr. Meng completed a rigorous clinical practice rotation at the prestigious Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine University. In 2002 through 2004 Dr. Meng operated a Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic in Dublin, Ireland. In 2007 Dr. Meng graduated with honors from the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine, an accredited and nationally recognized master degree level program in oriental medicine. She has owned and operated Mengs Acupuncture Medical Center since 2007.
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