The stress response is a normal response the body triggers when under pressured circumstances. The boost the body gets from the release of adrenaline and cortisol and the triggering of the sympathetic nervous system helps us to react quickly and sharpens the mind in times of physical harm. However the body cannot tell the difference if you are experiencing stress from real physical harm like a tiger chasing you and a deadline at work. Your body creates the same physical response to both circumstances of perceived stress.
When the body is exposed to the continual effects of stress day in and day out it can lead to unhealthy conditions. The body undergoes the Cortisol Effect from continued levels of elevated cortisol and adrenaline brought on by stress. Elevated levels of stress have been shown to add to high blood pressure, weight gain, increase pain, headaches, heart disease, depression, sleep problems, autoimmune disease, and skin conditions. Because of the Sympathetic nervous systems (fight or flight response) domination over the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation response) the body needs to make a conscious choice to re-establish relaxation in the body.
Acupuncture reestablishes the relaxation response by stimulating the parasympathetic system and counteracting the Cortisol Effect . It helps to rebalance the entire body and put the body in a temporary state of deep relaxation. This helps to renew and reenergize the system and stimulate the production of chemicals that relax the body.
It is vital to counteract the effects of daily stress with stress management techniques. The presence of stress if often something we cannot change but our perception of stress is something we can change. Working together we can help get the body out of its stressed out state, develop habits of stress management, and start reducing the harmful effects of stress.