As a Registered Acupuncturist, I see patients for all sorts of health conditions. Many come in with physical pain, hormonal issues, digestive concerns, allergies, and so on. One thing most patients have in common is STRESS.
Many of the stressors we face day to day can trigger a fight-or-flight response. Types of stress vary: emotional, physical, professional, relationship, financial, and overall lifestyle. Prolonged exposure to any type of stress can negatively affect one's health. More specifically, it can result in poorer quality sleep.
When you experience stress, your body undergoes a hormonal response, releasing cortisol and other stress hormones. This hormonal cascade creates a burst of energy that allows you to fight (or flee) from an actual or perceived danger. This is your sympathetic nervous system kicking in. Your parasympathetic system takes the back seat, putting a hold on your body’s rest-and-digest period. Prolonged stress levels therefore decrease quality sleep. Insufficient rest may result in impaired memory and poor mood regulation. Other side effects of stress include headaches, indigestion, high blood pressure, anxiety, and so on. The lack of sleep causes the emotional center of your brain to become more sensitive to negative stimuli, all while the reasoning function of the brain becomes less active. Someone may be more anxious, worrisome, depressed and stressed when tired. Tiredness can lead to increased anxiety, worry, or depression. And here the negative cycle is established. The lack of restorative sleep, leads to more stress, and stress causes sleep loss.
Research has shown acupuncture can help with both stress and sleep disorders. Which one does acupuncture affect? That’s like asking if the chicken or the egg came first.
Receiving acupuncture treatments triggers the parasympathetic system and places your body in a state of relaxation. Acupuncture can decrease anxiety, stimulate melatonin production, induce sleep and reduce sleep disruption. Even a single treatment can result in a profound deep sleep, a benefit that continues with subsequent treatments.
Patients sometimes say they feel tired after a treatment and are unsure what to think. I always laugh a little and say RELAXED! You felt RELAXED after your first treatment. Sometimes chronic pain can also keep you from getting comfortable and drifting off to sleep. Therefore resolving pain with acupuncture may help in getting a good night's rest.
Acupuncture can also be effective for those with sleep apnea caused by weight as it has been shown to help with weight loss and improve overall energy. Who knew acupuncture could do so much?
In addition to performing acupuncture, I often recommend patients consider a few lifestyle changes to help improve their sleep and manage stress. Meditation, yoga, guided breathing, aromatherapy, and limiting alcohol and caffeine are all ways patients can take positive steps in managing their stress and sleep. .
Sleep is such a vital part of a healthy routine, and stress can interrupt it in so many different ways.
If you have any questions about acupuncture and your health please feel free to set up a COMPLIMENTARY 10min Q&A with one of our Acupuncturists, or you can book your initial appointment on our website or over the phone.
And stay tuned for an exciting NEW offering from some of our acupuncturists that will be announced soon which may help with sleep and stress management!
