ALTERNATIVE/NON-TRADITIONAL MEDICINE Ways to manage stress through a variety of means

What is stress?  The rate of wear and tear on the body as a result of anxiety, worry, trauma, or exhaustion from a difficult or challenging situation  Causes of stress: Job Money Relationships and many more….

Stress continued…  Hans Selye, M.D. (early researcher of stress) broke stress down into three phases: Alarm: “Fight or Flight” Resistance: Either adapts or successfully resists threat Exhaustion: Body’s failure to return to normal due to prolonged stress; causes secretion of hormones by adrenal glands “To avoid stress would be to avoid life”

Exhaustion Phase  Hormones released from Adrenal Glands cause: Loss of ability to digest Decrease in circulation to the heart Drop in body’s immune defenses by reducing the number of white blood cells Drop in oxygen to red blood cells  Adrenal Hormones: Cortisol: Raises blood sugar, halts immune response Adrenaline: Stimulates heart muscles Norepinephrine: Constricts blood vessels; reduces oxygen to cells *These can be harmed not only by stress, but also by consuming too much sugar and/or caffeine

Carnegie Mellon University study…  Carnegie Mellon University did a study of 400 volunteers in which they sprayed the cold virus into their noses… …those who stated they had high stress in their lives were twice as likely to develop colds!

Primary Symptoms of Stress  Headaches  Fatigue  Pain and Tension in neck, shoulders, or lower back Stress effects a person in the weakest area of their body For the body to heal itself, it needs a constant flow of blood and energy to all of its organs and tissues When there is an interruption of the flow, that area of the body will get weak Interruption can be caused by physical trauma (accidents), anxiety, tension, and more

Eight Modalities of Oriental Medicine  Wu Li – Living Philosophy  Feng Shui – The Art of Placement  Meditation  Moving Meditation  Nutrition – Flavors, Herbals  Body Work – Tui Na, Cupping  Moxibustion – Combines with acupuncture (warming of needles)  Acupuncture: The healing art that studies the flow of blood and energy (Qi) in the body and how to restore proper flow by removing the interferences through the insertion of extremely delicate needles in specific points on the body

Acupuncture  An acupuncturist will place very fine, sterile needles at specific acupoints on the body…depending where the stress/pain is. This activates the body’s Qi and promotes natural healing.  Qi (pronounced chee) – Body’s natural energy  Qi circulates through specific pathways called meridians. There are 14 different pathways throughout the body. Each is connected to a specific organ.  How deep do the needles go? 1/8” to 1 ½”  Does it hurt at all? Most people feel no pain whatsoever

How does it work?  Intro to Acupuncture Intro to Acupuncture  Intro to Cupping Intro to Cupping  Intro to Moxibustion Intro to Moxibustion  In all forms of Oriental Medicine, the balance of Yin and Yang are vital to the balance of life. If one out weighs the other, the Qi is usually out of sorts as well.

Taoism  Emphasis on harmony with nature  Not concerned with society; tend to live as recluses  Concerned more with longevity  Practice Life Preserving Exercises – Qi Gong Video: Qi Gong

Confucianism  Emphasis on harmony with other human beings, including the departed ancestors  Concerned with society and the welfare of one’s fellow man  More concerned with clinical medicine  Recommended moral disciplines