Stress can throw off the entire functioning of the body and result in injury and illness. At The Phoenix & Dragon, licensed acupuncturist Sharon Shuppert strives to help her Austin area patients manage stress and bring their bodies back into balance the natural way.
Stress is basically your brain’s response to a demand. Although it is usually referred to from a negative context, stress can be both positive and negative. It is a normal and unavoidable part of life. Stress can come about due to minor situations like being late for work or getting sick, or it can happen after a major life circumstance such as having a baby or ending a marriage.
Stress affects your health from a number of directions. Your physical, mental, and behavioral functioning is influenced by stress. Symptoms of stress may include:
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your life for a prolonged period of time, you are likely stressed and need a healthy and natural way to manage it.
Virtually everyone alive will get stressed at some point. Unfortunately, there are some factors that can increase or decrease your ability to effectively handle stress. These may include the lifestyle that you lead such as diet and exercise, your support system, the type of experiences you had as a child, your family history, and your emotional intelligence.
Stress management starts with awareness of your stress triggers. Once you become aware of what’s causing you stress, you can develop a plan of action to reduce the impact. Sharon enjoys working with her patients to create routines that include stress management activities that you can do at home or in the clinic.
At home, you can try guided imagery, meditation, deep breathing, music, and progressive muscle relaxation to minimize the effects of stress. In the clinic, Sharon helps her patients relieve stress through massage, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional counseling. Contact the clinic today to make an appointment so that you can start fighting back against stress.