- Cloud 9 Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine22 West Padonia Rd. Suite A-203
Timonium, MD 21093
Mental Health
Becoming Resilient to Stress
I once had to write an essay on the book, “Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers” by Robert Sapolsky and I can summarize it to this day… The sympathetic nervous system elicits the “fight or flight” response. A third response is to freeze in place.
Modern humans often freeze in place, stall. Usually, we do not fight others or run (flight) like zebras run away from lions, but we just sit or stand in place, doing the same exact thing physically we were doing prior to the stress trigger. The cortisol elevates with the stressor, the adrenaline surges… and we sit (or stand) in place instead of using that fuel to launch into a sprint away from a predator (lion, tiger or bear, oh my!)
Zebras have no choice. They run or they die, or they run and die. Either way, they really must run. In turn, their bodies burn off the adrenaline surge and other stress hormones. This is why they do not get ulcers.
However, humans do get ulcers, because their ancient wiring “fight or flight” response designed to keep them alive during times of war with neighboring tribes, or being hunted by predators, simply goes off at very inopportune times… like when we’re stuck in traffic, or getting flack from our boss, or a friend phones with bad news … goes off, constantly, daily, sometimes multiple times per hour. This creates a cascade effect with the nervous system, the neuro-endocrine hormones and creates inflammation, extra body fat, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, anxiety, panic attacks, headaches, autoimmune disease, insomnia, and more. Everyone responds to stress differently.
Most people respond very well to acupuncture because it brings the nervous system and endocrine system into balance. Over time, with regular acupuncture treatment, patients become less triggered by stress as the “fight or flight” response becomes much more self-regulated.
New Therapy BrainTapTM
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Acupuncture & Insomnia
Often, patients begin to notice insomnia creeping in at the change of the seasons, especially as we move into springtime. With the added sunlight and the sun setting later in the day, our bodies and minds feel invigorated after a long and arduous winter. For some, the mind “just won’t turn off at bedtime,” for others, the thoughts from the day are set on “rinse and repeat.”
Further still, some are physically restless and simply do not feel tired, until it gets so late past bedtime that they are exhausted and yet, some still cannot sleep. Of course, lest we forget our moms with young children who also suffer sleeplessness, passing their insomnia on to their parents by proxy. Pain also is a large factor of sleep disturbance, which is treated swiftly by acupuncture by reducing chronic pain.
The good news is, Acupuncture Can Help. Regular acupuncture treatment helps to regulate the neuro-endocrine system, balancing the nervous system, cortisol levels and hormones. Many of our patients can attest to acupuncture also reducing anxiety and stress levels, contributing to a better nights sleep. Cloud 9 has a signature Insomnia Treatment Program to solve your insomnia once and for all. Begin with a Consultation.
Acupuncture for Mental Health and Wellness
The conversation around mental health has become much more prominent in recent years thanks in part to the pandemic. Depression, loneliness, anxiety have all increased for many people especially in the last couple of years. Sometimes a prescription medication is needed to deal with a particular mental health issue but often, people are looking for a drug free alternative to address their issue. Acupuncture is a great option for those struggling with mental or emotional issues. continue reading
