WHO IS STRESSED?
We all have stress- the main concern –is your body ready to deal with it? Here’s what one expert says about stress:
No one can live without experiencing some degree of stress all the time. You may think that only
serious disease or intensive physical or mental injury can cause stress. This is false. Crossing
a busy intersection, exposure of draft, or even sheer joy are enough to activate the body’s
stress mechanism to some extent. Stress is not even necessarily bad for you; it is also the spice
of life. But, of course your system must be prepared to take it. Hans Selye
So what can you do to ensure your body can take all that you are dealing with? How can you relieve
some of the negative effects that stress is taking out on your body? Let’s talk about Shiatsu
Therapy and Acupuncture Therapy. Both are based in Traditional Chinese Medical Theories,
Modern Western Medical Theories or more commonly a combination of the both.
Shiatsu Therapy is a comfortable, relaxing, deep pressure therapy, that helps to relieve stress
and pain, improve body functioning and promote health and well-being.
Shiatsu Therapy is safe and effective, it originated from
tension and encourage healing by pressing and kneading the body at vital points along pathways
called Meridians. Think of it as acupuncture using finger pressure instead of needles.
Acupuncture involves inserting sterile, painless, disposable needles into specific points
along the body’s Meridians. So you might ask- what exactly is happening to me when
I am being pressed or needled? Let’s look at it from two different directions- the
first from Traditional Chinese Medical Theory then secondly from a Modern Western Medicine
perspective. Traditional Chinese Medicine balances a specific vital energy circulation in the
body called Qi (chee).
When the energy circulation flows naturally in the meridians, there is health. But once imbalances
arise(due to cold, heat, emotional upset, overeating etc.), the internal environment changes.
The internal organs react to try to re-establish the balance; this is reflected in the meridians
and to the surface of the body and affects the circulation of the energy flow. Kaz Kamiya
Modern Western Medicine Theories can be used to explain why acupuncture works on us,
but can be very technical and confusing for the layperson. For example: Techniques
involving the stimulation of the meridian system such as acupuncture…activate the self-organizing
system of an organism and improve its structure and function at a more fundamental level than
symptomatic relief. Charles Shang, M.D.
Acupuncture points have high electrical conductivity…stimulating the points will
activate the peripheral nervous system (sensory and motor nerves) and encourage
cell to cell communication which restores the cells proper form and function in wound
healing and stress response. In conclusion, whether you think in Western or Eastern
terms Acupuncture and Shiatsu will help to relieve pain, improve body functioning
and promote health and well-being. Try these treatments as alternates when
conventional medical treatments fail or as a corresponding therapy along side
conventional therapies to speed healing.
Erin Burton-Wilson DNM, RAP, CST 905-202-0082 |