At some points in our lives we have all dealt with stress. This is a natural response to situations that feel out of our control and that normally pass, but if a person is under constant stress it can take an emotional toll and lead to anxiety. This can cause both mental and physical health problems that can be devastating to everyday life.
In Chinese medicine these negative emotions are considered energy blockers, since they see the body as a network of flowing energy through meridian systems. These strong emotions like stress and anxiety block the natural energy flow causing our body to react to the blockage. An example of this reaction is that many people who feel stressed will complain of upper back, shoulder and neck pain. This is because stress causes tension in these areas and energy cannot flow causing stiffness and even headaches. Continue reading
Fibromyalgia is a condition where a person has wide spread musculoskeletal pain. The symptoms can include aches that range from mild to debilitating aches in a person’s joints, muscles, tendons and any other soft tissue. The condition is also often accompanied by chronic fatigue, memory impairment and mood issues. Though the condition is more often found in women and those who suffer from TMJ or depression, the root cause of this condition is still unknown. Western medicine offers solutions in the form of medications to help ease the pain, but with the many side effects (nausea, fatigue, dependency) that come along with painkillers. However, acupuncture is proving to be a safe, effective, natural, alternative treatment.