TCM guide on keeping stress at bay

Link copied! Do you feel easily irritable, anxious or uninterested in life? If so, you may be experiencing stress. Stress refers to a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. Short-term stress may be caused by temporary work or lifestyle factors but if left unchecked, it can lead to other chronic conditions or even suicidal feelings. A 2019 Cigna 360 Well-Being Survey reported that a staggering 92 percent of the working population in Singapore is stressed. This number is 8 percent higher than the global average at 84 percent. [1] Stress in terms of TCM According to TCM theory, stress causes stagnation of Qi and Blood in the body, mainly affecting the Liver, the Heart and the Spleen. Stress most commonly causes Liver Qi stagnation. In TCM, the Liver is related to our muscles and tendons, our emotional health, and the menstrual cycle for women. As such, some of the symptoms of Liver Qi stagnation includes rigid and sore muscles, moody and depressed feelings and even irregular periods or period cramps during menstruation. The stagnation of Liver Qi may also turn into Liver Fire, which results in irritability and frequent headaches. Qi and Blood stagnation along the Heart meridian may also affect the circulatory system, causing palpitations, high blood pressure and a risk of coronary heart disease. As the Heart governs our mental activities, one may also experience irritability and restlessness. When Qi Stagnation affects the Spleen meridian which governs our digestion, it may result in symptoms like abdominal bloating, reduced appetite and stomach cramps. As our Spleen is also in charge of digesting water, weakened Spleen function may also cause an accumulation of Dampness in the body, resulting in fatigue, heaviness in the body and loose stools. 5 common health ailments due to chronic stress and how TCM can help 1. Anxiety/Depression Chronic stress causes mood fluctuations that can easily lead to anxiety or depression. In TCM, anxiety and depression is often related to the abnormal flow of Qi. In patients with anxiety, there is excessive upwards flow of Qi while in patients with depression, there is an excessive sinking of Qi. While their symptoms may be opposite in nature, anxiety and depression often come together. As such, balancing the flow of the Qi is key to relieving anxiety/depression. Here are some in-clinic treatments and therapies to help: Herbal Medication TCM herbs help to reduce severity of symptoms by encouraging the correct flow of Qi within the body. Combined use of herbs like Chuan xiong and Chuan niu xi can help to guide the effect of herbs upwards while bringing down the upward movement of the Qi. Herbs like Mei gui hua (Rose) and Man jing zi (Chaste Tree Fruit) can help to soothe the flow of Qi and protect the digestive system. Using these herbs with personalised formulas allow us to better target our patients’ conditions so they can feel better faster. Acupuncture Acupuncture can improve Qi circulation in our body and alleviate Liver Qi stagnation which is often associated with stress. One example of an acupoint that improves Qi circulation is Tai Chong. Achieving optimal Qi circulation is key to ensuring balance in our emotions and preventing violent mood fluctuations Cell Pro Therapy (CPT) Studies have shown that anxiety and depression are often associated with an imbalance in our autonomic nervous system. [2,3] The Autonomic Nervous System governs our stress response and comprises the Sympathetic Nervous System (Flight-or-Fight System) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (Rest System). Chronic stress results in either of the two systems being triggered in excess or insufficiently, which leads to symptoms of anxiety and depression. Research shows that negative ions balances the autonomic nervous system via regulating brain activity and activating neurons. [4] The places with the highest concentration of negative ions are the waterfall and the forest. At ORG, our Cell Pro Therapy (CPT) makes use of Japanese technology to deliver a high concentration of negative ions into your body. The process lasts about 15-20 minutes and is completely painless. Our patients find the treatment relaxing and that consistent use alleviates their mood and increases their stress tolerance. You can also try tapping exercises at home: Source Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), also known as tapping, can create a balance in energy and is a common alternative treatment used to treat people with anxiety. [5] Similar to acupuncture, EFT focuses on meridian points. Directions: Tap the following points 7 times each in order Top of head – directly in the center of the top of the head Beginning of the eyebrow Side of the eye – on the bone at the outer corner of the eye Under the eyes – on the bone under the eye, approximately 1 inch below the pupil Under the nose – the point between the nose and upper lip Chin point – halfway between the underside of the lower lip and the bottom of the chin Beginning of the collarbone – the point where the breastbone (sternum), collarbone and first rib intersect Under the arm – at the side of the body, approximately 4 inches below the armpit 2. Insomnia Insomnia – the inability to have restful sleep, comes in various forms. Some experience difficulty falling asleep, while others tend to have light or disrupted sleep. In TCM theory, insomnia is caused by an imbalance of Yin and Yang energy in the body. Having a stressful lifestyle causes an excess of Yang energy while overexertion and natural ageing results in depleted Yin energy. The result is usually an excess of Yang energy which causes a state of hyperarousal and thus affecting our sleep. As such, rebalancing the Yin-Yang energy in our body is key to treating insomnia. Acupuncture Acupuncture is one of the most common treatments of insomnia, with little side effects. It does so by using different acupoints to achieve Yin-Yang balance. For example, San Yin Jiao (translated as Three Yin Meridians) is used to boost Yin energy, while