Stress — a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances.
Stress describes a reaction to an emotional or physical situation that creates an imbalance or disharmony in the body. Some amount of stress is an unavoidable by-product of contemporary life. However, stress creates a fertile breeding ground for many other illnesses. Stress can cause physical ailments including fatigue, depression, insomnia, asthma, high blood pressure, headache, pain, irritability, gastrointestinal disorders and skin problems. Some studies attribute at least 80 percent of all major illnesses to the effects of stress. Considerable evidence supports the notion that back pain, one of the most common ailments affecting adults is directly related to the effects of stress.
Stress has definite biological effects on the body. Physiological changes occur in response to stress such as increased muscle tension, increased secretion of adrenaline and cortisol, increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Stress activates the sympathetic nervous system and creates a chronic "fight or flight" response in the body. All of these factors can contribute to a decrease in immune system effectiveness, making us more susceptible to infection and for illnesses of all kinds.
The Integrative Medicine Center offers a treatment program to help to mediate the negative aspects of stress on the body, mind and spirit. This innovative program combines acupuncture with massage therapy to maximize the therapeutic benefits of treatment. Both acupuncture and massage therapy are excellent therapies to help restore a sbalance, harmony and well-being.
Massage therapy and acupuncture calm the mind and promote a positive mental attitude. They promote the relaxation response, the biological reaction that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for repair, maintenance and restoration of the body. Patients leave the treatment with a profound sense of calm, deep relaxation and wellness that can last for many days. Both acupuncture and massage therapy release hormones called endorphins in the body. Endorphins contribute to emotional balance and help to create a more positive attitude enabling patients to more easily weather the vicissitudes of daily life.
The program consists of a one half hour acupuncture treatment followed by one half hour of massage therapy. Recommendations regarding diet, exercise, lifestyle modification and herbal therapies may also be suggested. Weekly treatments are suggested for the first month to be followed by a monthly maintenance schedule. Treatment frequency may need to be increased during particularly stressful periods.
This is a cooperative program provided by massage therapist Sondra Hartmann, LMT and acupuncturists Neil Weinberg L.Ac. and Ann Wang, Ph.D., L.Ac.
Simply call the Integrative Medicine Center office to set up an appointment to meet with one of the acupuncturists for a consultation and the development of a treatment plan to be followed by your first visit.
Because research demonstrates the need and benefits of on-going therapy, we have built in two discount options to support this. You can prepay for ten visits for a 10% fee reduction or pay for your treatments individually and after your tenth visit receive your next visit free.