Anti-Stress

The Anti-Stress Programme at the Chinese Medical centre AcuMedic in London combines authentic syndrome acupuncture and powerful Chinese herbal medicine to help you cope with stress and lead a stress-free life.

All treatment is from a fully qualified CMIR-registered doctor with extensive Western medical training.

Our Anti-Stress Programme includes:

• A full Chinese medical diagnosis with personalised lifestyle advice
• A session of authentic syndrome acupuncture
• An individualised herbal prescription from our doctors

How this treatment is different

This anti-stress programme is designed to reduce stress levels and therefore the health dangers related to stress while strengthening your key internal organs so that they are better able to cope with any new stress. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can be very effective in treating and reducing stress.

Only less than 20% of people can effectively cope with crises. Stress is a major modern health problem that is associated with depression, diabetes, impotence and many other diseases related to an impaired immune system. In addition to reducing stress, this Anti-Stress AcuMedic treatment programme uses acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to also promote overall health by boosting the immune system and therefore promoting feeling of well-being.

How we can help you

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs can be prescribed to soothe and tonify the body so that you can better cope with stress. Special attention is usually directed towards clearing Liver Qi (essential energy) stagnation.

By using a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs as well as auricular therapy according to Chinese Medical theory, the AcuMedic Anti-Stress treatment programme can help you to naturally calm the body and bring about feelings of well-being.

Auricular therapy is often prescribed in cases of stress. This treatment is based on the same principles as acupuncture and authentic Chinese Medicine as practised in China. The therapy involves attaching tiny metal balls or medicated seeds onto specific points on the outer ear (by using small, discreet plasters) in order for the patient to stimulate those areas in times of stress by pressing on the balls. This way auricular therapy can maintain the therapeutic effects of acupuncture treatment in between the sessions while also providing immediate stress relief wherever you might be.

See our free guide on how to deal with stress by using Chinese Medicine.

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+ About the Acupuncture at AcuMedic

Acupuncture treatment is available all over the world but not all acupuncturists are the same. Many acupuncturists in the West are only trained in a small modality of acupuncture such as trigger point acupuncture or perhaps 5 Element acupuncture. AcuMedicin London treats with syndrome acupuncture which is based on the complete system of theories in Chinese Medicine (including trigger point and 5 Element). This is authentic acupuncture treatment as practised in China and is based on Syndrome Differentiation diagnosis.

+ How it works

In Chinese Medicine, human emotions are closely related to the organs. Liver, whose main function is to store blood and maintain the smooth flow of the essential energy Qi throughout the body, is predominantly associated with stress. Negative emotions like anger and sadness can directly affect the Liver, causing a stagnation of Liver energy (the Liver Gi), which is often the underlying factor for stress as well as for depression and anxiety. If you are suffering from stress then you may even feel a dull ache under your right rib cage as the liver is being affected.

Thus Chinese Medicine understands that stress damages the Liver and Spleen as well as the heart. Stress also creates hypertension which can lead to other cardiovascular problems.

The general approach to well-being in Chinese Medicine is the interrelated balance within the body between its mental, emotional and physical components. In scientific terms, the healthy body regulates its metabolism and hormonal systems through the balancing acts of releasing the correct amount of cortisol adrenaline and neurotransmitters such as endorphins.

Excessive stimuli caused by a traumatic event or a problem can lead to confusion and chaos within the body. In fact, stress increases the heart rate as much as heavy physical exercise. According to Chinese Medical theory acupuncture can provide the necesary balance because of its two-way regulation effects on the body’s metabolism and hormonal systems. It is proven now that acupuncture releases endorphins and other neurotransmitters which can improve your mood.

Chinese herbal medicine can be used to maintain the balance of the internal organs and physiological functions in the body. The Liver is the organ related to emotion in Chinese Medical theory. If the Liver meridian is blocked, Chinese herbs are used to sooth the Liver and to tonify the Kidney which can mobilise Qi to clear the blockage that can lead to serious diseases. Stress leads to many chronic syndromes (chronic illnesses classified by Chinese Medicine).

The Kidney is responsible for the energetic function and the Spleen is the housekeeper of the immune system of the body, taking its nutrients from the stomach. Low resistance to infection caused by stress can be addressed by regulating the Spleen and Kidney by using acupuncture and Chinese herbs. Emotional and mental disorders can be regulated through the Liver and Heart meridians.

All of these considerations form a holistic approach to the treatment of stress with acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

To find out more read our brief Introduction to Chinese Medicine.

+ What to Expect

A fully qualified CMIR-registered Chinese Medical doctor will provide you with a full diagnosis and consultation to understand the root cause of your stress as well as any health issues you might be having. Things like diet and lifestyle will be taken into account and you will receive personalised advice as part of the prescribed treatment.

Chinese Medical theory differentiates between different types of stress (fear related, anger related etc.) and knows which particular organs are being affected by the stress. Through diagnosis the AcuMedic doctor will find out which type(s) of stress you are suffering from and will identify the affected organs (including the Liver). The doctor will explain precisely how stress is affecting your health and how the QI can be improved.

The AcuMedic doctor will explain how acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine can help you to relax and avoid stress. The doctor will also explain how they will tailor the prescribed medicine according to your individual health needs so that not only the stress but any other related health issues will be addressed by the treatment.

+ Diagnosis and Consultation

There are four main diagnostic methods in Chinese Medicine which are observing, pulse diagnosis, questioning and listening. Each method has a unique function in the process of collecting different clinical information and understanding how stress affects you. Therefore all four diagnostic methods must be used to make an accurate diagnosis of your health and to determine how stress and its effects can be treated with acupuncture and Chinese herbs in your individual case.

Observing involves looking at all the outward manifestations of stress and its effects on your internal health. This is done by observing your general vitality, complexion, figure and skin. One of the most well known parts of observing is tongue diagnosis. The tongue is like a mirror showing the state of your internal organs. The AcuMedic doctor will be able to judge the condition of your essential energy (Qi), identify the locations inside your body affected by the stress and identify how any internal health imbalances might progress just from looking at your tongue.

There are over 50 different pulse types and the AcuMedic doctor will take your pulse on both wrists to determine which pulse type you have. Your pulse is identified in terms of depth, speed, strength, shape and rhythm. Your pulse is an indicator of how Qi and blood are moving around your body, therefore how well your internal organs are functioning. The effects of stress on your circulation can remain long after that stressful moment had passed and this is indicated by the nature of your pulse. From your pulse the doctor can determine a great deal about your physical and emotional condition and how this can be improved to help you to recover from the after effects of stress.

The AcuMedic doctor will ask you a huge variety of questions to learn about your general lifestyle in order to understand the sources of stress in your daily life and how they affect your life. It may seem like some of these questions are odd, but it all goes towards building a complete picture of you and your health. No matter how trivial something might seem to you, tell your doctor. No symptom that you have is unrelated or unimportant when it comes to treating stress.

It is also very useful for your doctor to see the results of any medical tests you have had so make sure you bring them along to your first consultation and whenever you get new results through.

Once the doctor has finished diagnosing you, they will tell you about your particular Chinese Medical syndrome. These syndromes often have funny sounding names, like Liver Qi Stagnation or Kidney Yin Deficiency, but do not let that put you off. They will accurately explain the root cause and effect of stress. This diagnosis will be used to determine which aspects of your body the acupuncture treatment should be focused on and which Chinese herbs you need to treat stress.

+ Treatment

After consultation you will be asked to lie on the bed and remove some clothing to receive acupuncture. The doctor will provide you with a blanket to cover yourself. Micro-fine needles will be inserted and you will be left alone to relax for about 20-40 minutes.

Please be aware that this is crucial treatment time for the acupuncture to have a therapeutic effect and you have not been forgotten. Just relax and enjoy the sensation of the acupuncture treatment (many patients will fall asleep). If you need to call the Clinic reception then there is a bell to alert us to come and talk with you.

Usually, the acupuncture needles do not hurt when they are inserted, although if a lot of blocked energy has built up at one area of your body, you may feel a pricking and pulling sensation as the Qi begins to flow again in there. Most people find acupuncture incredibly relaxing.

AcuMedic doctors only use sterile disposable acupuncture needles. AcuMedic actually invented the disposable acupuncture needle.

For people who are afraid of acupuncture needles, please speak to your doctor who may recommend a different treatment based on electro-acupuncture instead of needles. Electro-acupuncture works in the same way as conventional acupuncture, but instead of using needles, an electronic pointer is used to stimulate the acupuncture points on the body.

After the acupuncture treatment the doctor will remove the acupuncture needles and might also apply the auricular balls or seeds to certain parts on your outer ears as part of the treatment to be stimulated whenever you have a craving.

+ After the Treatment

When the acupuncture treatment is completed you will be taken to the AcuMedic Herbal Dispensary to collect your Chinese herbal medicine prescription for relaxation and stress and rebook the follow-up appointment.

After the treatment you should feel more relaxed, calm and more confident about being able to handle stressful situations. You should notice an improvement in your physical health; you will feel lighter but taller. As the circulation is improved following the acupuncture treatment you should find yourself being able to move with more ease and freedom. You should see an improvement in your sleeping patterns. It should become easier to sleep and rest at night.

To learn more about our approach to stress please take a look at our guide 3 Steps to Rise Above Stress.

To find out more about being a patient at AcuMedic please take a look at the AcuMedic Patient Handbook.