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Staying in Balance Acupuncture

Insights into Holistic Healing

Acupuncture and the Autonomic Nervous System

2/12/2017

2 Comments

 
Roses and a balanced autonomic nervous system
Do you feel like you’re on go all the time? Do you feel the pressure of work, family and social obligations? We live in over-scheduled times. We have busy calendars and long to-do lists. You may be doing more and it may feel good for a little while. But take a moment to ask yourself if you are leading a truly meaningful and productive life.
 
From an Eastern perspective our culture focuses on the Yang side of life. Yang energy corresponds to activity, light, heat and daytime. It’s opposite, yin, corresponds to rest, darkness, sleep, cold, and nighttime.
 
These two types of energy are found  in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), the system that operates mostly unconsciously and regulates many body functions such as heartbeat, respiration and digestion. The ANS consists of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
 
The Sympathetic Nervous System (your Yang energy) prepares your body for action when it senses danger by pumping adrenaline into your blood stream. During this “fight or flight” response, the following occurs:
  • Your heart rate increases
  • Your pulse and blood pressure go up
  • Small airways in your lungs open so that your body can take in more oxygen
  • Blood sugar and fats are released into your bloodstream giving your body more energy
 
The Parasympathetic Nervous System (your Yin energy) serves as a brake to this revved up energy. This “rest and digest” response slows things down in these ways:
  • Your heart rate slows to conserve energy
  • Your intestinal activity increases
  • Sphincter muscles in your GI tract relax
 
Both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are important. They are needed to balance one another as they perform opposite but necessary functions. However, we live in a stressful culture. Each stressor activates the sympathetic nervous system keeping our bodies in sympathetic overdrive. For many of us there is too much go, go, go and not enough rest.
 
Acupuncture treatments regulate the autonomic nervous system by releasing neurotransmitters and hormones, or in Eastern terms, balancing yin and yang.  I find that patients go into a deeply relaxed state and report sleeping better after treatments. Over time pain decreases, digestion improves, anxiety is diminished. This leads to improved health, relationships and life choices.
 
"One of the great things about a treatment with Bonnie is afterwards I feel very focused, clear and centered.  Each treatment also has a calming effect and allows me to sleep better."   

Pat P. - Sunderland



2 Comments
Brahma
10/25/2017 06:51:04 pm

Hi Sir..First thank you very much for this article.
And information...I am working as a IT engineer. And recently moved to France 4 months back on. a project..I am sure I M over stressed these days..I can feel somewhere my unconscious mind feeling a lot of stress .even in sleep and dreams I m getting all work related issues...and especially during night my heart beat going high and I will not get sleep at all..it's been 4 months I don't have a perfect sleep... please help..thank you...

Reply
Miles Barry link
12/4/2023 04:39:09 pm

Thanks forr writing this

Reply



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    Author

    In practice for over 20 years, Bonnie Diamond offers individualized, heart-centered care using a pain-free, Japanese style of acupuncture.  Her work is influenced by her nine year struggle with and complete recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  

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    Acupuncture Consultation, Easthampton, MA
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  • Home
    • Bio
  • Services
    • Conditions Treated >
      • Back Pain
      • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia
      • Colds, Flus & Viruses
      • Depression, Anxiety, Stress
      • Insomnia
      • Multiple Sclerosis
      • Neck & Shoulder Pain
      • Preventative Care
      • Sciatica
      • Side Effects of Chemo and Radiation
      • Sports Injury
    • Craniosacral Therapy
    • Japanese Acupuncture
    • Yummy Healthy Food Nutritional Counseling
  • Testimonials
    • Google Reviews
  • Appointments
    • Free Consultation
    • Initial Visit
    • Contact
    • Forms
    • Directions
  • Blog
    • Yummy Healthy Food
  • Gift Cards