Increased workload, less exercise, poor diet, more travel, financial stress, and family stress. Many of us suffer from one or all of these symptoms during the holiday season. These things can place increased stress on our nervous system and body which results in physiological changes. Acute and chronic stress can lead to pain, anxiety, sleep issues, and digestive issues. Acupuncture is a drug-free way to manage stress associated with the holiday season. Advanced Medical of Twin Cities offers acupuncture services and is here to help.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture works by regulating the nervous system which helps to alleviate physical symptoms associated with stress. These symptoms can include things like muscle tightness, headaches, digestive issues, heart palpitations, sleep issues, and fatigue. Acupuncture also helps release muscle tightness and trigger points which can cause pain in predictable referral patterns. Trigger points can be involved in acute and chronic pain, and cause headaches.
Reduced Pain And Muscle Tension
In the U.S., pain is the most common chief complaint during an acupuncture visit. The holidays can cause increased stress and changes to our exercise and movement routine, which can lead to muscle tightness and pain. Acupuncture helps relieve pain by releasing endorphins, loosening tight muscles, reducing inflammation, and improving circulation.
Relief Of Stress And Anxiety
Anxiety is one of the main symptoms people feel when they are subjected to increased stress levels, which for many people is the case during the holidays. Acute and chronic stress cause changes to our nervous system that can result in physical symptoms. Acupuncture helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system to counterbalance the sympathetic “fight or flight” nervous system.
Improved Sleep And Energy Levels
The holidays can affect our sleep schedules, especially if there is travel involved. Increased exposure to stress can also lead to sleep difficulties. This can include symptoms like having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up often while sleeping, and not feeling rested in the morning. Acupuncture can improve these symptoms and provide a more restful night’s sleep by regulating the nervous system.
Headache Relief
Many people report an increase in headaches around the holiday season. Headaches are commonly associated with stress, increased alcohol consumption, and poor diet which can all be increased during the holidays. While there are many reasons that someone can have headaches, stress and muscle tightness is often involved in many cases. Acupuncture can help calm the nervous system to relieve headaches and migraines, as well as release trigger points and muscle tightness that can contribute to muscle tightness.
To learn more about acupuncture services and what is right for you, contact the professionals at Advanced Medical of Twin Cities today. Call (763) 541-1280 to schedule an appointment.
