We have been seeing a lot of patients seeking help to relieve stress and anxiety lately.
Acupuncture becomes in-demand as an alternative remedy for anxiety and stress in our clinic.
One of the first questions we asked our patients is “Do you frequently sigh lately? “You may be wondering why does sighing has something to do with your condition?
Sighing is a manifestation of the liver Qi being stagnated. This happens when someone is chronically stressed and experiencing prolonged stress.
In TCM’s perspective, the main function of the liver is to ensure a smooth flow of qi (energy) and blood throughout the body to keep everything in harmony and balanced. Liver ensures all the other TCM organs are doing their job.
Due to sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and most of all STRESS, the liver can become stagnant like a clogged pipe. When this happens, it affects its function to move the qi and blood throughout the body. This will create disharmony and further stagnation. When there is stagnation, there is distension and /or pain such as chest/hypochondriac tension, headaches, poor circulation and more.
How can you tell if you have Liver Qi stagnation?
Here are some of the common symptoms:
1. Hypochondriac Distension and frequent sighing- if you have Liver-Qi stagnation, you may sometimes feel tightness, distension, and fullness sensation on the right side of your rib cage where the liver meridian runs along.
Frequent sighing is a manifestation of Liver Qi stagnation, it’s your body relieving itself, as a matter of fact, a way of releasing the stagnation.
2. Anger. Do you have short temper, get easily irritated or frustrated? If so, it’s time to harmonize your liver-qi.
3. Mood Swings – In TCM theory, all our emotions are rooted in the Liver Meridian, chronic stress can lead to the most common emotional signs of liver disharmony such as frustrations and feeling the blues.
4. Digestive Issues such as bloating, IBS, constipation, diarrhea.
5. Tightness and tension of the muscles, especially the upper traps and shoulder.
In Western Medicine’s perspective, according to scientific study, acupuncture points can stimulate our nervous system, this, in turn, releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord and brain, these brain chemicals are knowns as the serotonin, endorphins, dopamine, oxytocin - all the body’s natural feel-good chemicals and reduces the level of stress hormones also known as the cortisol.
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, see your MD to rule out any other medical issues and see if acupuncture is the right option for you.
Call us at 604-474-1155 or email at info@regenholistictherapies.ca if you have any questions Or book online.
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